Protecting Veterans’ Services: New Bill Targets VA Job Cuts
A new bill in the U.S. Senate could reverse the damage done by recent federal workforce cuts that gutted the Department of Veterans Affairs — and cost thousands of veterans and VA staff their jobs.
The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would reinstate VA employees who were recently terminated under administrative cuts and establish protections for military spouses, reservists, caregivers, and veterans employed across federal agencies.
The goal?
To safeguard the delivery of services that millions of veterans rely on every day.
What the Bill Proposes
The Restoration of Veterans Services Act (as proposed) would:
- Reinstate fired VA workers, including veterans whose jobs were eliminated as part of broader government downsizing.
- Protect military spouses and caregivers from future dismissals or job insecurity tied to active duty-related circumstances.
- Shield National Guard and Reserve members from termination related to deployments or training obligations.
- Require agencies — including the VA — to report on future workforce reductions and analyze their impact on veteran services before cuts are made.
Read more on the bill via Military.com’s full coverage.
Why This Matters Right Now
The VA is still reeling from efforts to shrink its workforce by over 80,000 positions — a plan pushed by the Trump administration in early 2025, citing post-pandemic “rightsizing.” But those job losses didn’t just hit desk workers. They included:
- Claims processors
- Medical support staff
- Mental health counselors
- Veteran peer specialists
- Outreach personnel
In short: the very people keeping the system afloat.
And many of those terminated were veterans themselves — qualified professionals who now find themselves unemployed, watching the agency they once served fall deeper into backlog and disrepair.
The Impact on Veterans Is Already Being Felt
Whether you’re a veteran, a VA employee, or simply someone who cares about the quality of veterans’ care, here’s how you can support this bill:
- Call Your Senator
Ask them to support the Restoration of Veterans Services Act and prioritize reinstatement for fired VA workers. Find your senator here: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm - Share Your Story
If you were laid off from the VA or your benefits have been delayed due to staffing shortages, let us know at DisabledVeterans.org/contact. Your story helps bring pressure where it’s needed most. - Stay Engaged
Follow updates on this legislation and others like it. If you’ve been affected by these job cuts — or know someone who has — don’t stay silent. Your voice matters.
Final Thoughts: Rebuilding Trust Starts With Reinstating People
Veterans have already given enough. They shouldn’t be the ones to pay the price for bureaucratic decisions that cut corners instead of cutting red tape.
This bill is about more than job titles — it’s about restoring capacity, care, and the human backbone of a system that was already overstretched.
We’ll be watching this legislation closely, and as always, keeping pressure on lawmakers to put veterans first — not last.
Insurance cards or bust. They been denying care and civil rights violations for long time. We will see the good ones on the outside. Good riddance.💋
Would be too little too late. The culture inside the VA is very toxic right now due to outside influences. Everyone is in fear everyday, and fed up. After the first DRP most employees were willing to stay and fight because they believe in the mission. This time around they are accepting in the masses ready to leave. It will already take years to repair the damage that has already been done.
What do you mean “outside influences?” Are they being sued? If so, they brought it on themselves. Justice for the victims of the malfeasance, death, and denial of care.