Ocasio-Cortez, Kennedy, Meng Lead NY Congressional Delegation in Opposing Trump’s Cuts to The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), alongside Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) and Congressman Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), led several members of New York’s Democratic Congressional delegation in writing to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to demand that the administration reverse their proposed staffing and benefits cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“This proposal would cut 80,000 employees - over 15% of the VA’s total workforce - who help provide health care, housing, and other services to our veterans, including more than a quarter of whom are veterans themselves. We urge you to immediately reverse course on the proposed firings and ensure that the more than 688,000 veterans in New York State receive timely care, benefits, and peace of mind,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is the federal government’s responsibility to “honor the contract,” – we must honor that commitment by providing the care, benefits, and opportunities every veteran has earned through their sacrifice.” 

A total of 15 lawmakers signed the letter. In addition to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Kennedy, and Rep. Meng, the following members joined in signing: Representatives Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Josh Riley (NY-19), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07). 

The letter details that previous shortages and firings have already affected care quality by leading to reduced patient-provider interactions, longer waiting times, delays in benefits, and increased workloads for existing staff. The lawmakers also emphasize that staffing shortages across VA offices in New York have created a widespread atmosphere of fear and instability across the state, encouraging the Department to stand against any proposed staffing or benefits cuts. 

The full letter is available here.

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