Veterans Condemn Caps on VA Staffing; Urge Congress to Reverse Course
The Unite for Veterans coalition strongly condemns the recent decision by the Trump Administration to cap the size of the VA workforce and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. The so-called “workforce optimization” means pulling doctors, nurses, and mental health providers out of the system veterans rely on for healthcare, at the very moment every VA medical center is reporting critical shortages.
The White House is cutting 30,000 positions through attrition and deferred resignations — including hundreds of frontline caregivers. At the same time, the administration’s budget increases funding for private care vouchers by billions. The net effect is plain: fewer caregivers inside VA hospitals, more money flowing into the pockets of private contractors. Over the last nine months the VA has already lost 2,000 registered nurses and 750 doctors and has shed 10,000 more employees through “deferred resignations.” The VA’s own inspector general reports that all 139 VA medical centers now face severe staffing shortages.
On June 6th, thousands of veterans, families, and caregivers spoke with a clear voice on the National Mall to stop the cuts to veteran healthcare. At the time, the Administration listened, reversing their plan to cut 83,000 jobs. The Administration also appropriately reinstated the Veterans Assistance Service Program, which kept thousands of veterans in their homes, until Congress later repealed the program. The Administration showed that they are capable of listening to veterans once; they must do it again.
We urge VA leadership and Congress to reverse course on these staffing caps and job eliminations. Veterans and their loved ones cannot afford a hollowed-out VA, and our nation cannot afford to break faith with those who served. We stand ready to work with all who are committed to protecting the VA’s mission and ensuring that veterans receive the timely, specialized care they have earned.
For press contact, please email: info@unite4vets.org
