As DOGE Cuts Strike AZ Veterans, Gallego Takes Action to Freeze Trump’s VA Nominees

Deep cuts within federal agencies are disproportionately affecting U.S. veterans, who represent a significant workforce segment in the civilian sector. Although veterans comprise only 6% of the U.S. population, they make up 30% of all civilian federal employees. Recent cost-cutting measures initiated by President Donald Trump are squeezing budgets within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a situation that may adversely affect veterans’ access to essential services, including medical care and disability payments.

The Charles T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix has already begun experiencing workforce reductions due to a directive issued by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, mandating a nationwide staff cut of 15%. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego strongly opposed these cuts, labeling them as “sinful” during a recent Senate Veterans Affairs Committee meeting. As a Marine combat veteran, Gallego vocalized his concern that diminished staffing will inevitably compromise the quality of services provided to veterans.

With a Republican majority in Congress, Gallego and his fellow Democrats are left with limited options to advocate for veterans. In a symbolic move, he has temporarily frozen VA nominations, although the primary leadership positions within the department are already filled. Currently, the federal civilian workforce stands at approximately 2.4 million, not including active-duty military personnel or Postal Service workers. Of this number, about 611,000 are veterans, according to the Partnership for Public Service.

At the VA, a 15% staffing reduction translates to a significant loss of 636 employees across Arizona facilities. Earlier this year, the VA announced layoffs of 1,000 individuals from a total of around 462,000 full-time employees. The department projected savings of $98 million annually and insisted that funds would be reallocated to enhance healthcare and benefits for veterans. However, critics argue that these cuts will lead to increased wait times and a backlog of disability claims and healthcare appointments.

Reggie Yates, a 79-year-old Vietnam War veteran residing in Phoenix, expressed alarm over the implications for his mental health care. Having attended a support group for PTSD and anger management for over 15 years at the Phoenix VA, he emphasizes the importance of ongoing care in his life. “It’s a lifeline,” Yates stated, voicing concerns for others who may falter without necessary support.

The Trump administration has not revealed the total number of veterans affected by these layoffs, which are part of a broader initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Nationally, about 56,000 federal employees have already lost their jobs, with preliminary figures indicating that 6,000 veterans were let go shortly after the administration took office. An internal memo from the VA’s chief of staff outlined plans to reduce the workforce to pre-2019 levels, potentially eliminating 83,000 jobs.

Senator Gallego has vowed to block confirmation votes for VA nominees until the administration reconsiders the cuts. So far, this stance has stalled three veteran nominations, reflecting the increasing urgency around this issue. The impacts are further underscored by veteran Omar Algeciras, who criticized the unfairness of the DOGE cuts, emphasizing the government’s obligation to honor its commitments to those who have served.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing approximately 820,000 federal workers, has denounced the cuts, arguing they will exacerbate an already understaffed VA system. Long wait times for veterans seeking care have persisted for years, and the recent layoffs will only magnify the existing challenges. “The DOGE plunder of career VA employees can only make matters worse,” the union stated, solidifying a united front against these funding reductions.