NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some Tennessee veterans say they are concerned and outraged over the Trump Administration’s proposal to layoff 80,000 employees at the Department of Veteran Affairs.
An internal memo, which was obtained by the Associated Press, states that the cuts are part of the administration’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce.
“The veterans services for us were bad enough as it was,” said Air Force veteran Marty Ness-White. “Their first job feels like to say no to all claims.”
Ness-White served in the Gulf War and has since become an veteran advocate through Vet to Vet Middle Tennessee. She believes the government should increase the number of employees and offices to help veterans obtain their benefits.
“By eliminating even more of the people at the VA, it’s just detrimental to those who are still fighting,” added White. “I know people who have been fighting for six years to get the coverage for service-connected ailments and injuries.
Veteran Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reportedly said the department will continue to hire “open mission critical” positions while the agency downsizes. Collins later confirmed the planned cuts in a video posted X, saying the goal is to reduce the workforce by 15%.
Some veterans told News 2 they believe the government should hire more employees instead of laying them off. Many asked to remain anonymous as they feared retaliations for speaking against the VA.
A common complaint was how long it takes for them to receive their benefits. Meanwhile, a few veterans spoke about the need for a new efficient process to obtain benefits.
“Allocate enough offices and officers at those locations to serve the amount of veterans in the community and to make it so it isn’t a battle to get what they should be getting,” added White.
Both Republicans and Democrats have voiced their concerns over the proposed layoffs. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) took to X to voice his concerns stating, “The VA is in need of reform but current efforts to downsize the department and increase efficiency must be done in a more responsible manner.”
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