Veterans cuts spark GOP backlash on Capitol Hill

As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk lay waste to scores of federal programs and the careers of thousands of government workers, Republicans on Capitol Hill have mostly kept their objections to themselves — with one big exception.

Military veterans have been disproportionately affected by the administration’s early cuts, and GOP lawmakers have unleashed a rare tide of public pushback. That reached a crescendo this week as the Trump administration raises the possibility of large-scale dismissals of Department of Veterans Affairs employees.

Mass firings at the VA began weeks ago, spurring a flurry of panicked calls from GOP lawmakers to the White House. But a new memo outlines the potential for 80,000 more firings across a roughly 480,000-person department, according to an internal memo obtained by POLITICO.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Chair Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) said in a statement that while the massive department is “in need of reform,” efforts to downsize “must be done in a more responsible manner,” after the AP first reported the 80,000 figure Wednesday. Moran, who has been in close contact with VA Secretary Doug Collins and White House staff about personnel issues for weeks, added in an interview Thursday that lawmakers “need information” and that the numbers need to be “justifiable.”

Leaving a lunch meeting with Musk Wednesday where the VA cuts came up, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) voiced his irritation to reporters and suggested Trump’s veterans chief needed to get a better handle on his department.

“It's political malpractice not to consult Congress if that's what you intend to do,” Graham said. “Maybe you've got a good reason to do it. I like Doug Collins — he's a great guy. But we don't need to be reading memos in the paper about 20 percent cut at the VA."

Even before the VA memo became public, there was heartburn about how the cuts undertaken by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative might impact the country’s roughly 18 million veterans.

Federal job cuts generally affect veterans more profoundly, since they are given preference in government hiring. The provision of health care and other services is directly threatened by cuts to the VA, and those impacts have been a frequent concern at the spate of town hall protests GOP lawmakers have encountered in recent weeks.

There are signs the message has gotten through. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that senators raised the issue of VA cuts directly with Musk during the lunch meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday.

“I'm hoping there will be some clarification on that issue soon," Thune told a small group of reporters.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is seen during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, March 4, 2025.

Sen. John Barrasso, Thune’s No. 2, said that while they didn’t get confirmation of the VA cuts, Republicans stressed to Musk that Collins needs to be involved, with “the concern being that we want to make sure that veterans get the care that they need.”

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, who has recently been in contact with Musk, said she’s also coordinating with Moran as he tries to get answers.

“We have an obligation to our veterans, and these mass firings undermine that obligation,” Collins told reporters.

Democrats, who have been searching for a political foothold as they try to fight back against DOGE, blasted the proposed VA cuts. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a betrayal of our promise to our service members” that will spark “longer wait times, fewer appointments, less health care service for our veterans.”

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, said the move, if carried out, would put "private sector profits over veterans’ care."

Across the Capitol, the more DOGE-friendly House GOP is more willing to give the administration leeway on efforts to slash the size of the federal workforce. But even GOP leaders who are normally quick to praise Musk’s slash-and-burn operation are sensitive about the VA and impacts on veterans.

“We’re going to talk to the secretary to see what their needs are,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). “You had, in a lot of these departments, a large increase during COVID, some of which may have been needed but a lot of which wasn't justified.

“So you need to sort through what actually helps the veterans versus what actually takes money away from veterans benefits,” Scalise added.

Rep. Michael McCaul said in an interview Thursday he needed to study the VA cuts in more detail. But he had a visceral reaction when informed of the level of workforce cuts in the memo.

“Jeez,” McCaul said, his eyes widening.

“I worry because our veterans are hurting after Afghanistan; PTSD has gone way up,” McCaul added. “Suicide rates gone way up, and morale has gone way down. So I worry in the sense that I don't want that to be a signal that we don't care about our veterans.”

Some House Republicans, including some with a high number of veterans in their districts who get their care from the VA, offered measured support.

“I trust the president,” said Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), adding “there are a lot of complaints” about the VA. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) added that he had faith in Collins to make cuts that "create efficiencies and actually improve care" at VA.

But Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) — a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee whose state includes large numbers of federal workers and veterans — warned the job cuts would have real impacts on his constituents.

"I think everybody looks at it and says, 'Let's get the federal government to the right size that's sustainable.' Companies do that all the time," Wittman said. "But I also want to be mindful that these employees are really good people. They work hard, and I want to make sure we keep in mind the impact that it has on them."

Ben Leonard, Connor O’Brien and Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.

Topics

Fellow Democrats tear into Eric Adams on Capitol Hill

The New York mayor faced attacks from the left and center — and praise from Republicans.
Politico - 5d
‘Gut punch’: Democrats decry Trump's plan to cut 80,000 at Veterans Affairs

Democrat lawmakers and veterans' groups are fuming over the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) plans to cut roughly 80,000 employees in the coming months, decrying the lack of transparency and ...
The Hill - 2d
Chaos at the V.A.: Inside the DOGE Cuts Disrupting the Veterans Agency

Clinical trials have been delayed, contracts canceled and support staff fired. With deeper cuts coming, some are warning of potential harms to veterans.
The New York Times - 2d
Newsom breaks with party on transgender athletes in women's sports, sparking backlash

California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, an LGBTQ ally, broke with his party, saying that transgender athletes playing in female sports is "deeply unfair."
ABC News - 2d
Scott Perry says no one 'legitimately' on Medicaid will lose coverage

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) suggested on Sunday that no one "legitimately" on Medicaid will lose their coverage due to GOP efforts to cut spending. In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” ...
The Hill - 2d
Democrats unveil bill to reinstate veterans fired in Trump workforce cuts

Democrats are proposing a measure to reinstate veterans who were recently fired from the federal government without cause, which has affected an estimated 6,000 veterans who make up about 30 ...
The Hill - 23h
GOP funding patch boosts defense and deportations, cuts other programs

Ahead of a Friday shutdown deadline, House GOP leaders are serving up a plan Democrats will despise.
Politico - 3d
Trump administration's funding, staff cuts spark concerns over Colorado River

Federal funding freezes and staffing cuts are setting off alarms about the future of the Colorado River, a critical artery that supplies water to some 40 million people in 30 tribes and seven ...
The Hill - 2d
Trump, Texas GOP's deregulation push sparks hope and fear in the oil field

This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. It is part two in a four-part series. Read part one here. President Trump and Texas lawmakers are pushing to loosen the laws and ...
The Hill - 1d
Senate Democrats' impending choice: Shutdown or surrender

House Democrats say they won't vote for the House GOP's spending plan. Democrats across the Capitol aren't so sure.
Politico - 4d
NPS leaders plan 30 percent payroll cuts

Click for more from The Hill. {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment First in The Hill NPS leaders plan 30 percent payroll cuts The Trump administration is eyeing major payroll ...
The Hill - 17h
House GOP seeks spending cuts, defense increases in plan to avert shutdown

House Republicans on Saturday unveiled a six-month stopgap government funding plan, that seeks cuts to nondefense programs while boosting funding for defense. The bill's rollout kicks off a crucial ...
The Hill - 3d
49ers cut DT Maliek Collins

The 49ers are releasing veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins, according to multiple reports.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
With U.S. Aid Cuts No Longer a Threat, Rwanda Bets Big on Soft Power

Rwanda appears to be betting on its reputation as a key security partner and sports destination to minimize any backlash to its involvement in the war.
The New York Times - 14h
House GOP budget plan would cut domestic spending by $13 billion

House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled his plan to avert a government shutdown by Friday night. The short-term stopgap bill would fund the government until Sept. 30, increase defense spending by ...
CBS News - 18h
Wall Street sell-off amid economic uncertainty, Trump weighs in on looming government shutdown

Wall Street is looking to rebound on Tuesday after recession fears and confusion about President Trump's tariffs caused a market plunge on Monday. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on Capitol Hill ...
CBS News - 5h
VA secretary: Cutting 80,000 jobs ‘is our target’

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said his agency is looking to cut 80,000 jobs as their “target” to slim the agency’s workforce. Collins joined Fox & Friends on Monday, where he was pressed ...
The Hill - 1d
Danger for Republicans as ‘DOGE’ bites veterans

Jobs held by American veterans fell 175,000 last month.
MarketWatch - 21h
House GOP stopgap funding bill expected to avert pay cuts to doctors, extend telehealth access

Politico - 4d
Funding bill skips measure to avert physician pay cuts, a blow to GOP Doctors Caucus

A key Republican said inclusion of the language would be a “line in the sand” necessary for his support.
Politico - 2d
Trump Organization sues Capital One bank over account closures after Jan. 6 Capitol riot

The Trump companies accuse Capitol One of having "'woke' beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views."
CNBC - 3d
Capitol agenda: Johnson’s spending holdouts

Politico - 7h
Silent Hill f News Coming In Konami's Showcase This Week

Following last year's strong showing for Silent Hill , we'll soon learn more about what's next for the horror franchise. Konami has revealed a Silent Hill Transmission--the name it gives to its ...
GameSpot - 19h
Transcript: Fiona Hill on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," March 9, 2025

The following is the transcript of an interview with Fiona Hill, former White House Russia expert, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on March 9, 2025.
CBS News - 1d
Sunday shows preview: House GOP unveils bill to avert shutdown; Trump's tariffs teeter

House Republicans have unveiled a 99-page, six-month stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown and increase defense funding while seeking cuts for nondefense programs, which is likely to ...
The Hill - 2d
Diddy temporarily de-lists $61.5 million Beverly Hills mansion; he remains in jail

The 10-bedroom, 13-bath Holmby Hills property is back on the market, for the same price as the rapper awaits trial.
MarketWatch - 1d
Ukrainian war veteran amputees learn adaptive skiing in Oregon

A group of Ukrainian war veteran amputees have been in Oregon learning a form of adaptive skiing for people with one leg
ABC News - 1d
Oil prices resume slide, ending lower as tariff fears spark stock-market tumble

Oil futures ended lower Monday, dragged down by fears rising global trade tensions could spark a recession or a slowdown as U.S. equities suffered their worst day of 2025.
MarketWatch - 22h
U.S. stocks plunge after Trump's comments on potential recession sparks sell-off

Fears of a recession sparked a major sell-off in stocks, following comments from President Trump. In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump would not rule out the possibility of a recession. Kelly ...
CBS News - 18h
House GOP releases stopgap bill to avert shutdown

House GOP leaders on Saturday unveiled a stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, that will fund the government at current levels through September 2025.
ABC News - 2d
Capitol agenda: Senate Dems' shutdown test

Politico - 4d
Capitol agenda: Johnson’s shutdown dare for Schumer

Politico - 1d
Democrats introduce bill forcing Trump administration to rehire fired veterans

Democrats want to force President Donald Trump's administration to rehire veterans who were laid off amid efforts to reshape the federal government and its workforce.
ABC News - 1d
Fiona Hill says decision to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine has "emboldened Russia"

Fiona Hill, who served as a top National Security Council official in the first Trump administration, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that the White House's decision to stop sharing ...
CBS News - 2d
Face the Nation: Fitzpatrick, Suozzi, Hill

Missed the second half of the show? The latest on...Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is one of the bipartisan co-chairs of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret ...
CBS News - 1d
President's church donation sparks Kenyan clashes

Yahoo News - 1d
Cheltenham festival day one tips: Brighterdaysahead can upset Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle

The favourite has seen off every challenge in all his races, but could be facing his sternest opponent so far. Constitution Hill has seen off every challenge with ease in winning all 10 of his ...
The Guardian - 1d
Trump-district Democrats face risky vote on GOP spending bill

House Democrats in districts carried by President Trump are confronting a potentially risky vote next week when GOP leaders are expected to put their partisan government funding bill on the floor. ...
The Hill - 2d
House Rules Committee advances GOP’s stopgap ahead of shutdown deadline

The House Rules Committee voted Monday night to advance the GOP's bill to avert a government shutdown, dispatching the measure to the full chamber for consideration ahead of Friday's deadline. The ...
The Hill - 16h