'Not Only Shortsighted, They're Un-American': Timothy Kennedy Slams Secretary Collins Over VA Cuts

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During a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. Timothy Kennedy (D-NY) spoke about staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Transcript

00:00Ms. Byer, the chair now recognizes Mr. Kennedy for two minutes.

00:04I want to just go back to the secretary and what he said to this committee in May,

00:11that the VA would maintain mission essential jobs like doctors, nurses, and claims processors.

00:19According to the VA's monthly workforce dashboard,

00:23estimated losses for fiscal year 25 are 1,720 registered nurses, 604 physicians, and 1,081 veteran claim examiners.

00:39These are mission critical roles, which run directly against Secretary Collins' points

00:46that current and future cuts to the VA won't impact the delivery of care and benefits.

00:52As an occupational therapist, I've seen firsthand on the ground what happens

00:57when health care facilities are short-staffed and that health care is not provided to individuals.

01:05Right now, our veterans are being provided care by American heroes on the ground in these facilities,

01:13but you know what?

01:14They're exhausted, and not because they don't care,

01:19but because they ultimately are having trouble keeping up because they're getting cut in staffing.

01:27So when that happens in our VA, it's our veterans that are paying the price.

01:32And so even though we've been told mission critical employees aren't being cut,

01:36evidence on paper is that, in fact, there's a different story.

01:40We have credibility issues at the VA and with this administration happening right now.

01:47These cuts are impacting veteran care, and veterans should not have to wait longer

01:53or see fewer specialists or receive delayed benefits.

01:58As members of this committee, we have a sacred responsibility to uphold this nation's promise to our veterans.

02:03These cuts are not only short-sighted, they're un-American.

02:06I yield back.

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