As Trump Puts U.S. Troops in Harm’s Way, VA Chief Doug Collins Flounders as He Attempts to Defend GOP Cuts to Veterans’ Services

In response to Doug Collins’ disastrous hearing, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“After the Trump administration put our active duty military in harm’s way this week, Donald Trump and Doug Collins are repaying our veterans for putting their lives on the line for this country by ripping away their access to health care, forcing them into ‘life or death’ situations, and cancelling critical services that help veterans afford a home and advance lifesaving medical treatments. Our fundamental promise as a nation is to take care of the millions of veterans who served and sacrificed. Instead, Trump and his administration are treating them like a line item to cut.” 

NEW: VA Secretary Doug Collins couldn’t answer basic questions about his disastrous budget cuts. Today, Collins: 

  • Had no idea how many physicians, dentists, and other employees in medical services would be hired or cut from the VA 
  • Couldn’t provide a date — or even a target date — for when the VA would hire desperately needed doctors and other medical staff 
  • Wouldn’t answer which DOGE personnel have visited VA facilities or headquarters — even though senators had requested that information months ago 
  • Couldn’t confirm if DOGE staffers have access to private medical data 
  • Had no clue his own department censored research and wouldn’t commit to publishing research that didn’t align with Trump’s views, even if it advanced veterans’ health 

Collins’ proposed cuts to the VA’s workforce will leave veterans in the lurch after VA officials already canceled nearly 600 contracts. Here’s a look at some critical cuts, which reportedly include contracts focused on processing disability claims, recruiting doctors, and improving oncology programs:

  • Cancelled a contract that recruits VA doctors for critical vacancies across the country
  • Slashed a contract that ensures housing for formerly homeless veterans is equipped with all safety standards 
  • Ended multiple contracts focused on patient health and safety oversight 
  • Cut a contract that performed inspections for imaging equipment such as X-rays, MRI, and CAT scans 
  • Cut a contract that was helping modernize the VA Home Loan Program

Collins has slashed veterans’ services left and right, ripping away their access to health care and leaving thousands in fear of losing their homes.  

Washington Examiner: “VA layoffs spark concerns about veterans’ care: ‘This could be life or death’”

“As the number of claims filed under the PACT Act continues to grow … ‘[t]he cuts to the Veteran Crisis Line and other support services suggest that veterans seeking assistance may encounter longer wait times and diminished service quality.’ … 

“[M]any of the calls [the VA has] already receive[d] from distressed veterans have to do with roadblocks regarding receiving their benefits.” 

The New York Times: “V.A. Secretary Says Slashing 80,000 Jobs Is a Goal, Not a Firm Plan”

The New Yorker: “The Department of Veterans Affairs Is Not O.K.”

“Collins had promised that medical care for veterans would not be affected by any downsizing … But, [a VA clinical] psychologist told me, ‘Veterans are losing access to care because their clinicians are leaving.’” 

New York Times: “Some providers told The Times that they are quitting or retiring early rather than work in conditions that jeopardize patient privacy or undertake long commutes just to talk to patients on video. The V.A. is already suffering from ‘severe’ shortages of psychologists and psychiatrists, according to an agency report.”

NPR: “Trump’s VA cut a program that’s saving vets’ homes. Even Republicans have questions”

“In just the past year, according to the VA, [the VA Servicing Purchase program] has helped more than 33,000 veterans and servicemembers who got behind on their loans by giving them a new, low-interest-rate mortgage. … 

“[T]he VA abruptly did away with this safety net. It was the latest development in a VA mortgage saga that has whiplashed veterans between various enacted and cancelled programs and left thousands in fear of losing their homes. There are about 80,000 vets in the U.S. behind on their mortgages and heading toward foreclosure, according to data from ICE Mortgage Technology.”

Veterans are overwhelmingly “concerned” by Collins’ devastating cuts and Americans are rejecting Donald Trump’s failed DOGE agenda.

  • Americans disapprove of Trump, with his approval rating at a mere 44%
  • 44% of veterans were “very concerned” about proposed cuts to the VA and another 20% were “concerned”  
  • 57% of Americans strongly disagree with the work performed by DOGE