Representative Adam Smith and Attorney General Nick Brown Release Joint Statement on Washington Veterans Affairs Cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D – Wash.) and Attorney General Nick Brown (Wash.) released the following statement:
In recent days, a number of probationary employees at the Seattle Veteran Affairs (VA) have been laid off as Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) efforts begin to claw into veterans’ affairs.
Reports indicate that many of the laid-off employees were veterans themselves, fulfilling essential roles such as staffing medical supplies and supporting homeless veterans.
Nationwide, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced they’ve fired 2,400 workers in the last two weeks. The Department has thus far been unable to confirm whether any of these firings were for cause. News outlets have reported staff with stellar work records are being let go in this initial round of firings[1].
“These careless choices by billionaire Elon Musk and DOGE reduce the VA’s ability to serve veterans in Washington State,” said Rep. Smith. “Veterans will face longer wait times for their cases to be addressed by staff. Elon Musk is interrupting services for hard-working veterans and reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of the VA. Our veterans worked hard in service to our country, and they deserve better from the VA.”
“Veterans put their lives on the line for our state and our country,” said Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown. “As a veteran, I am deeply concerned by the impact of these cuts on services in Washington state.”