Reed: Trump’s Forced Retreat on Deeper VA Layoffs Highlights Power of Advocacy & Military Families
WASHINGTON, DC – After the Trump Administration abandoned plans to cull a total of 83,000 employees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by the end of this year and will instead reduce its workforce by 30,000 VA workers, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA), which oversees VA funding, issued the following statement:
“The Trump Administration’s forced retreat on more mass layoffs at the VA is a reprieve for veterans and their families. The Trump Administration’s initial arbitrary workforce cuts have already harmed veterans and their families. Trump and DOGE were downsizing simply for downsizing’s sake – not because they carefully studied appropriate staffing levels. Their careless cuts diminished essential services and increased wait times. Further cuts would have been an abject disaster and halting them is significant. This about face is a direct result of strong advocacy from veterans, their families, and everyone who cares about keeping our promise to those who serve. Now we need to reverse the loss of 30,000 VA employees, restore staffing levels, and get the VA running at full capacity again so it can deliver for those who faithfully served.”
As of June 1, 2025 the VA’s workforce was made up of 467,000 employees, a reduction of nearly 17,000 positions from the 484,000 VA employees on January 1, 2025. There are approximately 15.8 million veterans in the U.S.
Today, the Trump Administration announced it is on pace to reduce VA staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of this fiscal year.
“We’ve got to ensure our veterans get the care and benefits they need. The arbitrary mass-layoffs have already had a negative impact on customer service for veterans and we’ve got to ensure the VA does a better job going forward and is accountable to those they serve,” said Reed.
The VA provides medical care and education, disability, funerary, financial, and other health benefits earned by veterans of the United States Armed Forces.