Rep. Mike Levin & Veterans’ Organizations Demand Protection of Veterans’ Programs from Trump-Musk Cuts & Potential Privatization
Rep. Levin speaks against cuts to VA services
San Diego, CA- Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and veterans’ advocacy organizations called on the Trump Administration and Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to protect federal programs that help veterans from potential cuts that could lead to privatization of the VA and to prioritize the security of veterans’ personal data.
The “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, run by Elon Musk is threatening severe cuts to the VA workforce and creating conditions that could ultimately privatize essential VA services. On Thursday, February 13th, the VA fired more than 1,000 employees on probationary status as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce the federal workforce.
Additionally, President Trump’s hiring freeze of federal employees does not include exemptions for critical positions at the Veterans Benefit Administration, HUD-VASH case workers, and other essential VA employees. This would impact delivery and quality of services and benefits to millions of veterans across the country.
Rep. Levin also raised alarms over DOGE having access to veterans’ private data. VA officials have confirmed that they are working with DOGE, signaling that veterans’ information may be compromised.
“I am troubled that the VA has fired more than 1,000 employees. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee on the relevant subcommittee with oversight of the VA budget, I will be demanding answers about who these employees are and whether their firing will impact the quality of care and benefits of our veterans,” said Rep. Levin. “I’m worried that by shrinking the VA, making it harder to deliver to veterans the benefits they deserve, and potentially compromising veterans’ personal data, the Trump Administration and DOGE are laying the groundwork to privatize the VA. We cannot let this happen.”
Rep. Levin released the details of a new letter he sent to Secretary Collins demanding that he provide a detailed accounting of all the recently dismissed employees, their roles at the agency, and the positions now left vacant. The letter also expresses concerns over the potential impacts of cuts to the VA, and advocates for the preservation of employment programs and programs that help homeless veterans access affordable housing, such as the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) programs.
“Proposed cuts to VA funding would have a devastating impact on programs that train and place veterans in high-demand manufacturing careers, which are essential to America’s economy and infrastructure as our Nation has 803,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs due to lack of skilled labor,” said Workshops for Warriors Founder and CEO Hernan Luis y Prado. “Without this critical support, fewer veterans will have access to the training and career opportunities they deserve after serving our country. These programs not only empower veterans but also help address the skilled labor shortage of almost 3.8M unfilled jobs by 2035 in the manufacturing sector, a key driver of national growth and innovation.”
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