Legislation Would Reinstate Fired Veterans to Federal Jobs as Lawmakers, Veterans Groups Slam VA Cuts

A bill pending in Congress would require veterans fired by the Trump Administration in the purge of federal workers, to be reinstated to their positions. 

The legislation, introduced by freshman Representative Derek Tran (D-CA), would also require agencies to submit reports to Congress on why veterans were dismissed and provide justification for the dismissals. 

According to data from Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee, over 6,000 veterans have been fired across the government since President Trump took office. 

“I’ve been trying to get support. I’m trying to not make this a partisan issue,” said Congressman Tran. “This is just the right thing for our veterans. So in my communication with colleagues across the aisle, I want to make sure that they understand this is not a Democratic bill. This is a bill to protect those who served.”

The bill however is expected to face a tough road in the Republican-controlled House.

VA Firings Raise Alarm

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fired more than 2,400 workers already as President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) look to cut waste. 

The job cuts were slammed by Democrats and veterans’ organizations. 

“Trump and Musk’s heartless firings will worsen VA’s longstanding staffing shortage and force veterans to wait longer to have their claims handled, have their phone calls picked up, or even see a doctor. That is downright unacceptable,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. 

The job cuts also caught the attention of veterans’ organizations across the country 

“The recent VA workforce cuts are deeply concerning, especially given the unprecedented lack of transparency surrounding these decisions,” said Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters executive director Randy Reese. 

The administration notes that mission critical positions are exempt from the layoffs. VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz says cuts will allow the agency to shift $180 million per year towards healthcare and benefits for VA beneficiaries. 

However, former VA cybersecurity official Jonathan Kamens, who led cybersecurity efforts for VA.gov and was fired on February 14, told the Associated Press that he doubts his position will be replaced, potentially exposing the financial and medical data of millions of veterans to hackers. 

“I think they’re going to be lacking essential oversight over cybersecurity processes for VA.gov,” said Kamens. “So if that information can’t be kept secure, then all of that information is at risk and could be compromised by a bad actor.”