VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.
Congress
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.
Vets group blasts Trump plane crash comments as ‘shameful’
The president on Thursday suggested that programs to hire workers with disabilities may have lead to the aircraft collision that killed 67 people.
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.
Trump’s federal hiring freeze raises fears about VA medical care
VA hires about 40,000 new workers every year to maintain operations at VA medical sites. It's unclear if that can continue under Trump's hiring halt.
What federal employees need to know about 2025 benefits changes
What federal employees and retirees need to know about 2025 benefits changes.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
Vets may see only a small cost-of-living boost in benefits next year
An outside watchdog estimates the benefits adjustment will be less than 3% in 2025.
Ask Kevin: What’s the legal basis for the Part B late enrollment fee?
A reader asks if the enrollment penalty is statutory.
Ask Reg: Can I negotiate my federal salary offer?
Departments and agencies vary in the latitude they give their supervisors and managers to vary the step they offer to a prospective employee.
Ask Kevin: Why am I paying IRMAA on top of my Medicare Part B premium?
A reader asks why they are subject to a Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount