VA claims $2B in savings from contract cuts — then reverses course
Critics worry the contract cuts could hurt department medical operations and support services for veterans.
Oversight
VA staff told to reply to Musk’s ‘What did you do last week’ email
More than 2 million federal workers received an email over the weekend threatening firing if they can't justify their work performance by Monday night.
VA secretary emphasizes reforms, accountability for federal workforce
In his first public address to a veterans group, Doug Collins outlined plans to broaden VA benefits and cut back bureaucracy.
Cuts to staff, budget will boost military strength, Hegseth says
Hegseth promised to reinvest budget savings in other military programs and jettison civilian workers who are not living up to expectations.
Confusion over VA worker dismissals irks advocates, lawmakers
Department leaders have declined to provide more information on recent layoffs amid rumors of looming additional staff cuts.
VA leadership nominee grilled over recent department layoffs
President Donald Trump nominated Paul Lawrence to serve as the second-highest leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Protestors demand VA oppose Trump efforts to trim federal workforce
Several dozen union members and VA employees rallied outside the department headquarters amid fears of staff cuts and funding reductions for the agency.
Watchdog agency’s closure could lead to more military financial scams
The White House moved to close the Consumer Financial Protection Board, which fielded 100,000 consumer complaints every month from veterans and troops.
LGBTQ Pride flags banned at VA facilities under new policy
Only the American flag and other state and military-related banners will be allowed to be displayed under the new department policy.
VA secretary tapped to temporarily lead 2 federal oversight offices
VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named.
VA leaders working with DOGE but say veterans’ personal info is secure
An employee from the controversial new department will review VA contracts and IT system operations, VA officials confirmed.
VA will end remote work status for thousands of staffers this month
The move to end telework at VA follows instructions from the White House to return most federal employees to their pre-pandemic duty stations.
VA places 60 staff on leave after shutting down DEI offices
The moves come after a White House executive order mandating an end to federal equity and inclusion efforts.
More than 300k VA health jobs exempted from White House hiring freeze
About two-thirds of Veterans Affairs jobs will be excluded from a White House order blocking new hiring.
As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024.
Federal watchdog investigates Secret Service handling at Trump rally
President Joe Biden already had directed an independent review of the security at the rally.
Opinion
Overuse of National Guard threatens to undermine preparedness
Nontraditional missions run the risk of diverting resources that could be dedicated to training and preparedness, the authors say.
