FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS CONTINUE TO HURT VETERANS AS LAWMAKERS REMAIN QUIET
Federal budget cuts are happening, but many leaders are failing those that are being directly affected. Not only are Veterans’ jobs and resources threatened, but many within the government are unable or unwilling to explain why. There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as the cuts continue to pour in.
What Can Be Cut From the Federal Budget?
In many ways, making federal budget cuts that would make a difference without affecting the military community is downright impossible.
The U.S. spends most of its money on Social Security, national defense, and healthcare, all three of which have direct ties to the military community.
This means that from an employment standpoint, Veterans are going to feel the cuts to the federal budget in their income, as many work in these departments.
Just as important, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid all provide financial stability to older and disabled Veterans.
Then there's the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is a major source of healthcare for the community and is also available for cuts and directly tied to healthcare and defense budgets.
Several other areas can be cut, but when we look at their impact on the Veteran community, questions emerge less about what can we do and more on if these efforts are the right decision when considering those who are affected.
Leaders Remain Quiet on Cuts to Federal Budget
Now that Elon Musk’s federal budget cuts are underway, a lot of people are questioning why certain personnel, programs, and important resources seem to be under attack without clear explanations.
Communication within the government and to the public it serves has been poor in many areas, leaving the Veteran community and beyond searching for answers.
Despite promises of transparency, officials have yet to provide clear evidence of where cuts are happening, including the since delayed firing of 5,400 civilians working within the Defense Department.
After all, the Trump administration has already had to explain why staff essential for our nation’s nuclear program were let go, only $13 million of the proposed $80 million figure in savings have been explained, and the President is now aiming to end millions in science for transgender mice; however, it would actually be found out the program was used to research cancer and asthma.
Amid these discrepancies, people are looking for more transparent answers only to be left with vague federal budget cut figures.
Congress Is Unclear, Employees Remain Confused
Congress continues to explain the cuts using buzzwords such as “diversity” or seemingly large figures, but The Pentagon and other programs are still working out the details.
Workers, many of whom are Veterans, are left in the dark about why their jobs may be at risk, are dealing with work conditions that make it difficult to carry out their roles, and remain confused as to whether or not their performance is an issue due to a lack of communication.
Even as memos leak highlighting a potential of 83,000 layoffs in the VA, the department doesn’t know how it’s going to do it exactly—a recurring theme within the government.
"My view about whatever DOGE is looking at is they're looking for stupid stuff. And if they find stupid stuff and say we ought to get rid of it, I'm all for it. If they find stuff that they think is stupid and I disagree with, we're going to have a discussion," said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers.
Senate Democrats Accuse Doug Collins of Helping With a Layoff "Cover-Up"
A group of Senate Democrats have accused Secretary Doug Collins of helping with a "cover-up," demanding answers about the VA's recent layoffs.
In a letter Thursday, addressed to both Trump & Collins, Democrats criticized the administration for the firings that have taken place, particularly with the cut of the Veterans Crisis Line, a key resource for Vets.
"Claiming that only those who answer the phones at VCL are essential is an insult to the service and commitment to Veterans of the many dedicated employees who ensure that someone is ready to listen and help in a moment of crisis," the senators wrote.
"We are shocked that Secretary Collins, who claimed that one of his top priorities as VA secretary would be to address Veteran suicide, would participate in such a cynical cover-up for the Trump administration's error -- not only by going along with the lies, but also justifying them."
In addition to Sen. Tammy Duckworth signing the letter, Dem. Sen. Alex Padilla of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Mark Kelly of Arizona also signed.
Will Federal Budget Cuts Cause Vets to Bleed Out?
Childcare workers at Hill Air Force Base, Air Force Academy, and various programs protecting civilians from the military are all on the chopping block.
We’re already seeing concern from notable Veteran voices speaking up about how cuts to the federal budget are making an impact.
Worst of all, this could be only the very beginning as details remain unclear. As federal budget cuts continue, careful attention will surely be paid to the widespread impact that these layoffs will have, as well as the actions that lawmakers will take.
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