Pappas Denounces Trump Plan to Slash Care for Veterans
The plan to fire 80,000 VA staff would lead to delays and disruption in care and services for New Hampshire's 96,000 veterans, including thousands of newly enrolled veterans getting care for toxic exposure under the PACT Act.
Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, condemned reports released today that the Trump administration is planning to cut 80,000 staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which could have catastrophic consequences for America’s veterans and cause significant delays and disruptions for those seeking medical treatment, as well as support for housing, addiction, mental health, and other lifesaving services. These firings would also result in job losses for thousands of veterans, who make up 25% of VA's workforce.
"New Hampshire is home to more than 96,000 veterans who have answered the call to serve their country, and these proposed cuts by the Trump administration would cause disruption and delays at a time when VA has seen record new enrollment in veterans seeking care," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "VA is already chronically understaffed, an issue I have worked to address for years on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Slashing nearly 100,000 VA staff will have serious consequences for veterans in New Hampshire seeking medical treatment. These cuts would cut off veterans who need support for housing, addiction, mental health, and other lifesaving services. America's veterans are not a line item on a spreadsheet. They are the heart and soul of this country, and we owe them a profound debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. They should not be forced to wait longer, travel further, and receive worse outcomes because of reckless cuts. I urge the Trump Administration to abandon this plan and instead focus on how we can help serve our veterans, who selflessly served us all."
Congressman Pappas fought to pass the PACT Act, which expanded VA health care to millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange. Since the PACT Act became law, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received nearly 8,000 claims from New Hampshire veterans and granted over 3,305 so far.
In January, Congressman Pappas joined a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acting Secretary Todd Hunter demanding answers about how VA is implementing President Trump’s Inaugural Executive Order to freeze hiring across the executive branch and how it is hurting veterans’ access to the health care and benefits they earned.