1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to eliminate approximately 80,000 jobs, a 15% reduction in its workforce. This aggressive downsizing threatens to undermine the VA's ability to provide quality health care and services to the millions of veterans it serves. Cutting such a significant portion of the workforce raises grave concerns about longer wait times for medical appointments, slower processing of disability claims and benefits, and an overall diminished capacity to meet the needs of our nation's veterans who have sacrificed so much. While increasing efficiency is a laudable goal, indiscriminate workforce reductions risk crippling the VA's core mission. I urge you to reconsider these drastic cuts and instead work to fully staff and resource the VA to ensure our veterans receive the care and support they deserve. The men and women who served our country merit a fully functioning VA staffed by those dedicated to meeting their needs. Slashing jobs is counterproductive and will only undermine the VA's ability to fulfill its vital role.