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Legislative Moves to Protect Veterans from Job Cuts
In a significant response to recent workforce reductions, Senate Democrats have introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reversing the layoffs of veterans and ensuring their job security within federal agencies. These initiatives come on the heels of plans by the Trump administration to potentially eliminate thousands of positions, particularly affecting veterans.
On Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the Putting Veterans First Act, one week after reports emerged about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) planning to lay off around 83,000 employees. This legislation seeks to reinstate veterans, military spouses, survivors, caregivers, and other affected personnel who have been “illegally fired, demoted, or suspended” due to the administration’s mass terminations, with provisions for back pay. Additionally, the bill aims to secure protections for veterans against future layoffs.
According to data from the Office of Personnel Management, veterans represent approximately 30% of the over 2 million civilian employees in the federal government. Blumenthal emphasized the detrimental effects of the administration’s actions on the economic stability and morale of military families, stating, “Veterans and their families have willingly sacrificed everything for this country, and they deserve a government that treats them with dignity and respect.”
Concurrently, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., announced that he would propose legislation at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, which would impose restrictions on the workforce restructuring initiatives executed by the Trump administration. Moran stressed the importance of collaboration between the VA, Congress, and veterans service organizations when it comes to staffing changes.
“I am working on legislation that would require the VA’s workforce planning to follow that model, because Congress must play a significant role in strategically shaping VA workforce decisions to achieve the right outcomes for veterans and their families,” Moran explained. He pledged to ensure that the VA retains a capable workforce and that necessary adjustments are managed responsibly, respecting the veterans who serve in public roles.
Moran mentioned his concerns to VA Secretary Doug Collins, who has maintained that the firings and anticipated layoffs will not adversely affect veteran care and are aimed at eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.
Blumenthal’s proposed legislation follows the introduction of the Protect Veteran Jobs Act by Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Andy Kim, D-N.J. This measure aims to reinstate veterans affected by the recent mass layoffs and mandates the Trump administration to provide regular updates on the number of veterans laid off within federal agencies.
Duckworth stated, “Veterans who choose to continue their service to our country in the federal workforce deserve our utmost gratitude, but instead this Administration has kicked thousands of our heroes to the curb and left them without a paycheck. The message of our bill is simple: Give our heroes their jobs back.”
Impact of Job Cuts on Veterans
Thus far, the Trump administration’s job cuts have resulted in the termination of over 30,000 federal employees. Additionally, about 75,000 employees have accepted offers for deferred resignations, influenced by initiatives from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
The specific number of veterans who have experienced job losses remains uncertain, but estimates from House Democrats suggest that at least 6,000 veterans have been terminated so far, with the potential for tens of thousands more as agencies prepare for further cuts.
The VA’s strategy to reduce its workforce by over 83,000 personnel may impact as many as 21,000 veterans, since they make up more than 25% of its total employees. Recent data indicates that the VA has already laid off 2,400 staff, roughly 800 of whom could be veterans based on current statistics.
In a similar vein, the Department of Defense has initiated the process to terminate approximately 5,400 probationary employees, with an estimated 2,300 veterans among them, signaling significant impacts on veteran employment across federal agencies.
The heated discussions surrounding these workforce reductions have prompted Republican leaders to evaluate their approaches, particularly as they contend with public dissatisfaction regarding veteran job cuts. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., who chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, has called for guarantees that the cuts target only underperforming employees. He acknowledged the need for the VA to streamline its operations but stressed the importance of upholding commitments to veterans, both in terms of care and service operations.
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