{"id":1053682,"date":"2025-06-24T15:53:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/democrats.org\/?p=1053682"},"modified":"2025-06-24T21:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T01:34:10","slug":"as-trump-puts-u-s-troops-in-harms-way-va-chief-doug-collins-flounders-as-he-attempts-to-defend-gop-cuts-to-veterans-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/democrats.org\/news\/as-trump-puts-u-s-troops-in-harms-way-va-chief-doug-collins-flounders-as-he-attempts-to-defend-gop-cuts-to-veterans-services\/","title":{"rendered":"As Trump Puts U.S. Troops in Harm\u2019s Way, VA Chief Doug Collins Flounders as He Attempts to Defend GOP Cuts to Veterans\u2019 Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"449\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/democrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Black-Logo-White-Fill-For-Email.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1050776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/democrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Black-Logo-White-Fill-For-Email.png 1101w, https:\/\/democrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Black-Logo-White-Fill-For-Email.png?resize=300,132 300w, https:\/\/democrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Black-Logo-White-Fill-For-Email.png?resize=768,337 768w, https:\/\/democrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Black-Logo-White-Fill-For-Email.png?resize=1024,449 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In response to Doug Collins\u2019 disastrous hearing, <\/em><strong><em>DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter the Trump administration put our active duty military in harm\u2019s way this week, Donald Trump and Doug Collins are repaying our veterans for putting their lives on the line for this country by ripping away their access to health care, forcing them into \u2018life or death\u2019 situations, and cancelling critical services that help veterans afford a home and advance lifesaving medical treatments. Our fundamental promise as a nation is to take care of the millions of veterans who served and sacrificed. Instead, Trump and his administration are treating them like a line item to cut.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NEW: VA Secretary Doug Collins couldn\u2019t answer basic questions about his disastrous budget cuts. Today, Collins:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Had <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cspan\/status\/1937534797804437901\">no idea<\/a> how many physicians, dentists, and other employees in medical services would be hired or <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/merylkornfield\/status\/1937554575034081371?s=46\">cut<\/a> from the VA\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Couldn\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=amSpKwM1m_w\">provide<\/a> a date \u2014 or even a target date \u2014 for when the VA would hire desperately needed doctors and other medical staff\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/b6njAM_bUjI\">Wouldn\u2019t answer<\/a> which DOGE personnel have visited VA facilities or headquarters \u2014 even though senators had requested that information months ago\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/b6njAM_bUjI\">Couldn\u2019t confirm<\/a> if DOGE staffers have access to private medical data\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qUOTAukz5GA\">no clue<\/a> his own department censored research and wouldn\u2019t commit to publishing research that didn\u2019t align with Trump\u2019s views, even if it advanced veterans\u2019 health\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collins\u2019 proposed cuts to the VA\u2019s workforce will leave veterans in the lurch after VA officials already canceled nearly <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/article\/trump-doge-veterans-affairs-ai-contracts-health-care\"><strong>600<\/strong><\/a><strong> contracts. Here\u2019s a look at some critical cuts, which reportedly include contracts focused on processing disability claims, recruiting doctors, and improving oncology programs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veterans.senate.gov\/2025\/2\/blumenthal-statement-on-doug-collins-reckless-cancelation-of-critical-contracts-delivering-direct-services-to-veterans\/7db54c28-b005-4730-b237-c71af51d9422\">Cancelled<\/a> a contract that recruits VA doctors for critical vacancies across the country<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/prospect.org\/health\/2025-03-12-doug-collins-cancel-culture-veterans-affairs\/\">Slashed<\/a> a contract that ensures housing for formerly homeless veterans is equipped with all safety standards\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/prospect.org\/health\/2025-03-12-doug-collins-cancel-culture-veterans-affairs\/\">Ended<\/a> multiple contracts focused on patient health and safety oversight\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veterans.senate.gov\/2025\/2\/blumenthal-statement-on-doug-collins-reckless-cancelation-of-critical-contracts-delivering-direct-services-to-veterans\/7db54c28-b005-4730-b237-c71af51d9422\">Cut<\/a> a contract that performed inspections for imaging equipment such as X-rays, MRI, and CAT scans\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veterans.senate.gov\/2025\/2\/blumenthal-statement-on-doug-collins-reckless-cancelation-of-critical-contracts-delivering-direct-services-to-veterans\/7db54c28-b005-4730-b237-c71af51d9422\">Cut<\/a> a contract that was helping modernize the VA Home Loan Program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collins has slashed veterans\u2019 services left and right, ripping away their access to health care and leaving thousands in fear of losing their homes. <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3326969\/va-layoffs-concerns-veterans-care\/#google_vignette\">Washington Examiner<\/a>: <strong>\u201cVA layoffs spark concerns about veterans\u2019 care: \u2018This could be life or death\u2019\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs the number of claims filed under the PACT Act continues to grow \u2026 <strong>\u2018[t]he cuts to the Veteran Crisis Line and other support services suggest that veterans seeking assistance may encounter longer wait times and diminished service quality.\u2019<\/strong> \u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201c[M]any of the calls [the VA has] already receive[d] from distressed veterans have to do with roadblocks regarding receiving their benefits.\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/05\/06\/us\/politics\/doug-collins-veterans-affairs-job-cuts.html\">The New York Times<\/a>: \u201c<strong>V.A. Secretary Says Slashing 80,000 Jobs Is a Goal, Not a Firm Plan\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/the-lede\/the-department-of-veterans-affairs-is-not-ok\">The New Yorker<\/a>: \u201c<strong>The Department of Veterans Affairs Is Not O.K.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCollins had promised that medical care for veterans would not be affected by any downsizing \u2026 But, [a VA clinical] psychologist told me, \u2018Veterans are losing access to care because their clinicians are leaving.\u2019\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/05\/04\/us\/politics\/veterans-affairs-mental-health-privacy.html\">New York Times<\/a>: <strong>\u201cSome providers told The Times that they are quitting or retiring early rather than work in conditions that jeopardize patient privacy<\/strong> or undertake long commutes just to talk to patients on video. <strong>The V.A. is already suffering from \u2018severe\u2019 shortages of psychologists and psychiatrists, according to an agency report.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/06\/19\/nx-s1-5400980\/va-loans-veterans-mortgage-relief-republicans\">NPR<\/a>: \u201c<strong>Trump\u2019s VA cut a program that\u2019s saving vets\u2019 homes. Even Republicans have questions\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn just the past year, according to the VA, <strong>[the VA Servicing Purchase program] has helped more than 33,000 veterans and servicemembers who got behind on their loans<\/strong> by giving them a new, low-interest-rate mortgage. \u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201c[T]he VA abruptly did away with this safety net.<\/strong> It was the latest development in a VA mortgage saga that has whiplashed veterans between various enacted and cancelled programs <strong>and left thousands in fear of losing their homes. There are about 80,000 vets in the U.S. behind on their mortgages and heading toward foreclosure,<\/strong> according to data from ICE Mortgage Technology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Veterans are overwhelmingly \u201cconcerned\u201d by Collins\u2019 devastating cuts and Americans are rejecting Donald Trump\u2019s failed DOGE agenda.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Americans disapprove of Trump, with his approval rating at a mere <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html\">44%<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/missionrollcall.org\/veteran-voices\/news-and-press\/the-center-square-poll-veterans-concerned-about-proposed-va-cuts\/\">44%<\/a> of veterans were \u201cvery concerned\u201d about proposed cuts to the VA and another <a href=\"https:\/\/missionrollcall.org\/veteran-voices\/news-and-press\/the-center-square-poll-veterans-concerned-about-proposed-va-cuts\/\">20%<\/a> were \u201cconcerned\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/04\/28\/elon-musk-doge-poll-00313030\">57%<\/a> of Americans strongly disagree with the work performed by DOGE\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In response to Doug Collins\u2019 disastrous hearing, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: \u201cAfter the Trump administration put our active duty military in harm\u2019s way this week, Donald Trump and Doug Collins are repaying our veterans for putting their lives on the line for this country by ripping away their access to health [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":292,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1053682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - 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