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VA Plans Major Workforce Reductions Amid Reorganization Efforts
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is poised to initiate significant layoffs, potentially impacting tens of thousands of employees as part of a comprehensive assessment of its operations, as outlined in a recent internal memorandum obtained by Government Executive.
According to the memo, the VA will conduct a department-wide review aimed at optimizing its mission, organizational structure, and workforce. This initiative will collaborate with the Department of Government Efficiency to create a workforce optimization strategy, as stated by VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek. He emphasized that the VA seeks to reduce bureaucracy, streamline management, cut down on its operational footprint, and enhance overall workforce efficiency.
Syrek indicated that the anticipated reductions are designed to “resize and tailor the workforce” in alignment with the agency’s mission and revised organizational framework.
Notably, veterans represent over a quarter of the VA’s workforce, highlighting the unique connection between the agency and those it serves.
This development follows a series of executive orders issued by President Trump, which mandated federal agencies to reevaluate their staffing and formulate strategies for workforce reduction and reorganization. The VA had previously managed to keep its workforce largely intact, despite a government-wide hiring freeze that affected many other departments, casting doubt on the necessity of personnel cuts within the agency.
Under the Biden administration, the VA expanded its workforce significantly, with the Veterans Health Administration hiring a record 61,000 new employees in fiscal year 2023 alone. This staffing surge was in response to increased demand for services due to the PACT Act, although hiring has decelerated in fiscal 2024.
Syrek indicated that the upcoming workforce cuts would be extensive, affecting all divisions of the department. He has set a preliminary target for the VA’s staffing levels to mirror those of fiscal year 2019, totaling about 399,000 employees. Currently, the VA employs approximately 482,000 individuals, indicating a potential reduction of over 83,000 staff members.
Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who serves as the leading Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, criticized the VA’s strategy as perilous and a betrayal of the veteran population. He underscored the necessity for the VA to have a sufficient workforce to meet recent service demands.
“Gutting VA’s staffing to pre-PACT Act levels will cripple the very system that millions of veterans rely on, denying them access to lifesaving health care, claims processing, and education benefits they’ve earned,” Takano stated, expressing deep concerns over the impact of these potential changes.
The VA has scheduled an information gathering meeting next week to further discuss its reorganization and reduction plans. Per the guidance from the Trump administration, the department is expected to submit detailed proposals to the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget by April 14. A review of plans from various VA components will occur in May, with a reorganization strategy anticipated to be released in June.
An implementation team, known as the Reorganization Implementation Cell, will be established to facilitate the rollout of changes, comprising staff from human resources, operations, security, and preparedness divisions.
VA Secretary Doug Collins is set to lead an initial meeting to oversee the reorganization and workforce reduction initiative. He will guide the executive review group as the department progresses with its plans.
The Trump administration has encountered significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers and veteran advocacy organizations over its recent workforce reductions, particularly concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs. Alina Habba, a White House advisor, faced criticism on Tuesday for suggesting that while the administration would properly care for veterans, some may not be suited for their positions at this time.
In light of ongoing discussions regarding the reduction of the VA’s operational footprint, the agency may face considerable opposition. Previous proposals from the Biden administration sought to close or consolidate over 200 VA facilities but were halted by bipartisan lawmakers.
Takano voiced his concerns that the VA’s current plans could trigger chaos throughout the agency, leading to delays in benefit processing, strained claims operations, and complications for student veterans seeking necessary support. He assured that he and his colleagues would vigorously oppose such proposals, stating, “The American people and Congress will not stand by while VA is hollowed out, leaving veterans to suffer the consequences.”
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