STAFFING CUTS AT THE VA

STAFFING CUTS AT THE VA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025)] [House] [Page H894] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STAFFING CUTS AT THE VA (Mr. DELUZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. DELUZIO. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago we saw more than 1,000 staff being fired at the VA. Then, this week, 1,400 more staffers were fired at the VA. Who are these folks? They support the veterans' crisis hotline. They take care of medical research, studying cancer, mental health, you name it, and burn pit exposure. Mr. Speaker, remember that the Federal Government is the largest veteran employer in the United States. Around one-third of all VA employees are veterans themselves. Yesterday, we learned the Trump administration is canceling more than 800 VA contracts. Do you know what these things fund, Mr. Speaker? Getting toxic exposed veterans access to their records to prove their claims, cancer care for veterans, and calibrating radiation detection equipment. I could go on and on. It is a betrayal to attack veterans' care. We do not send young Americans off to fight wars and then when they come back to this country, we betray them by attacking the VA. Mr. Speaker, do you want to talk about fiscal responsibility? Then go look at the fraud, waste, and abuse at the Pentagon. Go tax billionaires and offshoring corporations. We don't do it on the backs of veterans. This is unacceptable, and we are going to fight this every way we can. ____________________