1. United States
2. S.D.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs workforce are deeply concerning and threaten to undermine the quality of services provided to our nation's veterans. Slashing 80,000 jobs, equivalent to nearly one-sixth of the VA's total workforce, risks exacerbating already lengthy wait times and backlogs for essential services like health care, disability claims processing, and mental health support. These misguided staffing reductions disproportionately impact disabled veterans and those recently hired, many of whom have sacrificed tremendously for our country. Terminating these dedicated public servants without due process or justification is an insult to their service. Moreover, the cuts come at a time when the VA is experiencing surging demand due to the PACT Act's expansion of toxic exposure benefits and the growing needs of aging veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of thoughtlessly downsizing the VA workforce, we should be investing in its capacity to deliver timely, high-quality care and support to the millions of veterans who have earned these benefits through their honorable service. Slashing jobs and budgets is not the solution – it will only compound the challenges faced by our veteran communities. I urge you to reconsider these reckless cuts and prioritize strengthening the VA to fulfill our sacred obligation to those who have worn the uniform.