Wichita Standard

In response to the Trump Administration's actions against federal veteran employees, Senate Democrats are prioritizing the defense of veterans and VA care. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and other Senate Democrats are hosting terminated federal veteran employees and former VA Inspector General Michael Missal at President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

Richard Blumenthal is hosting Michael Missal, who was appointed as the VA Inspector General in 2015 by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2016. Missal served throughout Trump's first term and part of President Joe Biden’s administration before being unlawfully terminated by Trump along with more than a dozen other Inspectors General in January. Under Missal's leadership, OIG oversight identified $45 billion in savings and cost avoidance, improving government efficiency.

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) is hosting Alissa Ellman, a disabled Army veteran fired from her job at the Buffalo VA during mass terminations under VA Secretary Collins. Ellman worked to help fellow veterans obtain benefits and was diagnosed with cancer linked to toxic burn pit exposure during her service in Afghanistan.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is hosting Jason King, a disabled veteran from Virginia who lost his position at the Federal Aviation Administration due to attacks on the federal workforce.

Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) is hosting Amelia Huffman, a U.S. Navy veteran laid off from her job at the US Forest Service during mass terminations of federal employees. Veterans constitute 30% of the federal workforce.

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is hosting Rory Badger, a marine combat veteran fired from his role as a biologist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service office without notice or cause.

Senator Jeff Merkely (D-OR) is hosting Isabella Isaksen—a U.S. Army veteran and Olympian—who served as public affairs officer for Ochoco National Forest. Isaksen communicated critical public health information during Oregon's 2024 wildfire season before losing her position.

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is hosting Kyle Rahn, a disabled Army veteran recently fired due to DOGE cuts to the federal workforce despite 16 years of public service.

Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) is hosting Andrew Lennox, who worked at VA in Ann Arbor before being terminated by DOGE. Lennox served as an infantryman in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria after graduating college.

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) is hosting Ottis Johnson Jr., National Vice President of AFGE District 14 representing thousands of federal workers.

Blumenthal and Senate Democrats have urged President Trump to stop his actions against veterans and reinstate those illegally fired with full back pay and benefits. The Trump Administration has been criticized for terminating an estimated 6,000 veterans abruptly without consulting Congress or providing transparency or accountability regarding these actions.