Wichita Standard

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) convened a shadow hearing to address the widespread impacts of mass firings on veterans and military spouses, implicating the Trump Administration alongside Elon Musk. These terminations have affected veterans, comprising one-third of the federal workforce, with Blumenthal expressing concern over the significant repercussions on individual lives.

“These firings have disproportionately affected our VA and veterans’ workforce, and the harm to them individually will become painfully clear today,” stated Blumenthal, emphasizing the personal toll on those affected. Highlighting the lack of bipartisan support, Blumenthal remarked, “This issue should be bipartisan. This is about America, as Cory Booker said yesterday. It’s not red or blue—it’s right and wrong.”

Witnesses, including Marine Corps veteran and military spouse Kira Carrigan, testified on the financial and emotional strain of these terminations: “Military spouses have a 21% unemployment rate and I’m one of them now again… It is so difficult to find employment.” Carrigan pointed out the challenges faced by military spouses seeking federal employment amid a hiring freeze.

Shernice Mundell, an Air Force veteran, shared her experience of being dismissed under DOGE’s policy: “It’s not OPM—it’s DOGE. And they’re just going under the guise of being OPM.” She also highlighted the lack of communication from DOGE about her position at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

During the hearing, Mundell underscored the need for “counseling, mental health assistance” for those affected by the firings and expressed her desire “to find a new job where I can provide for my family.” Blumenthal criticized the handling of these dismissals: “[The Trump Administration is] not even saying thank you for your service. They’re just saying, you’re fired.”

Furthermore, the Trump Administration’s policy plans to terminate more than 80,000 VA employees, impacting over 20,000 veterans. In response, Blumenthal and several Senate Democrats have introduced the Putting Veterans First Act to protect affected groups from such cuts.

Blumenthal and his colleagues have urged VA Secretary Doug Collins and Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell to testify, but received no response. Blumenthal stated his intention to continue holding shadow hearings to further explore the ramifications of these policies.

"In real time," according to Blumenthal, the impact on federal healthcare and veterans' compensation is significant, necessitating further bipartisan intervention to counter these cuts. Blumenthal thanked participating Democrats and expressed hope for future Republican involvement.