The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to begin significant layoffs at the agency starting as early as June, as per a memo seen by Reuters. Dated March 6, the memo instructs the human resources team to assess the agency’s operations for potential dismissal of employees. The review is expected to be completed by June, following which the VA plans to implement department-wide job cuts, referred to as “reduction in force” (RIF). In response to queries, the VA shared a link to an opinion piece by VA Secretary Doug Collins in The Hill defending the reductions as deliberate and comprehensive.
The proposed staff reductions at the VA have raised concerns among veterans’ groups, Democrats, and some Republicans. The department aims to trim more than 80,000 positions, surpassing similar cuts at other agencies. This move affects an agency responsible for the care of U.S. military veterans, a group with broad bipartisan support. Critics have condemned the layoffs, with Senator Patty Murray of Washington warning that they jeopardize veterans’ health benefits and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina criticizing the lack of consultation with Congress.
These layoffs are part of the efforts by President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk to significantly reduce the size of the federal government.
