VA fires 1,400 workers in second round of cuts
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The Stars & Stripes - Linda F. Hersey
February 25, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs axed another 1,400 workers Monday, just two weeks after firing 1,000 staff members who had worked for less than two years in their jobs.

Employees who lost their jobs in this second round of cuts were in "non-mission critical" positions that included roles promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the VA said.

Targeted for dismissal Monday were union workers who the VA described as bargaining-unit employees.

The layoffs will save the department more than $83 million per year, the agency said. VA Secretary Doug Collins promised to redirect the savings back into services and care for veterans, their dependents and survivors.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who is a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, condemned the agency cuts as exacerbating shortages of key VA personnel.

"These actions are destroying the trust veterans have in VA and will do long-term damage to VA's ability to recruit and retain talented doctors, nurses and others wanting to pursue a career serving veterans. Not only does it destroy trust, but it disrespects the service of a number of veterans and military spouses who work at VA — unjustly upending their lives and their careers," he said.

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"VA Secretary Doug Collins promised to redirect the savings back into services and care for veterans, their dependents and survivors."

I know one group of veterans that will never receive any of those savings. Transgender Veterans Healthcare is not likely to see any improvement.