- The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to begin mass layoffs in June, with 80,000 jobs expected to be cut due to what officials describe as “inefficiencies.”
- NOAA has already cut 1,300 employees and may reduce its workforce by another 1,000, sparking concerns about the agency’s critical services.
- The Department of Health and Human Services is also offering buyouts as part of efforts to reduce staff, joining other federal agencies in workforce cuts.
Full Story
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to begin mass layoffs as early as June 2025, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. The memo, dated March 6, instructed VA human resources teams to begin reviewing operations for a department-wide reduction in force.
In a video posted on X, VA Secretary Doug Collins confirmed the agency’s plans to cut 80,000 employees, saying that a number of issues are hindering service to veterans.
“Right now, VA’s biggest problem is that its bureaucracy and inefficiencies are getting in the way of customer convenience and service to veterans,” Collins stated.
Opposition to cuts
The planned cuts have sparked opposition. Ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., joined 19 other lawmakers to send a joint letter to Collins, denouncing the reduction in force.
What other agencies have announced cuts?
The VA is not alone in facing workforce reductions. In February, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cut 1,300 employees. Protestors expressed concerns about the impact on services critical to public safety.
Reports now suggest that NOAA could lose an additional 1,000 employees. The Department of Health and Human Services is also reportedly offering buyouts as part of its own staff reduction efforts.
