Wichita Standard

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, along with 24 Democratic Senators, has urged President Trump to exempt all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from the recent hiring freeze. The request comes amid concerns about potential negative impacts on veterans' health care and benefits.

In a letter addressed to President Trump, the senators expressed their apprehensions regarding the hiring freeze's implications. "As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the care and benefits they desperately need," they stated. They further highlighted potential delays or denials in services ranging from burial services to job training.

The group emphasized that despite assurances of exemptions, reports indicate that certain positions within the Veterans Benefits Administration may still be affected. "In your Memorandum, little detail is provided to understand the scope of its exemptions," they wrote. This situation could exacerbate disability claims processing backlogs.

The senators criticized Trump's approach as a departure from efforts to address workforce shortages at VA facilities. They noted, "Instead of building upon those efforts, one of your first actions was to stop them entirely." The letter argues that such measures undermine trust with both veterans and prospective VA employees.

Joining Blumenthal in signing the letter were Senators Mazie Hirono, Catherine Cortez Masto, Martin Heinrich, Mark Warner, Jack Reed, Bernard Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Tina Smith, Dick Durbin, Maggie Hassan, Ruben Gallego, Patty Murray, Alex Padilla, Jon Ossoff, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Tammy Baldwin, Ben Ray Lujan, Sheldon Whitehouse, Cory Booker, Jacky Rosen, Mark Kelly, Amy Klobuchar and Peter Welch.

Additionally, House Democrats led by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano are addressing Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter with similar requests for exemption.

The senators reiterated their commitment to ensuring veterans receive necessary services without disruption. They concluded by urging an immediate exemption for VA personnel from the hiring freeze: "Mr. President... we urge you to provide an immediate clear and full exemption."