Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, pressed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins for detailed data on VA staffing and spending during a committee oversight hearing in Washington, D.C. Blumenthal demanded information about the use of $6 billion allocated to the VA for health care costs, raising concerns that the funds were used for staff cuts instead of supporting medical operations.
“Can you provide this Committee with a full accounting of the six billion dollars, which I think is very important because apparently it was used to push out essential VA health care providers—rather than sustaining VA medical operations as intended?...[R]ather than going into the rhetoric—I want the numbers,” Blumenthal said.
He also questioned Secretary Collins about reported losses of over 40,000 employees from the VA since January 2025. “Talking about numbers, my understanding is that more than 40,000 employees have left the VA since last January. Can you provide this Committee with a detailed, updated workforce compilation of data? The number of staff who have left VA since January 2025, broken down by facility and position? And the list of positions and vacancies each facility plans to cut based on the caps you set late last year?...I want numbers…I want the breakdown. We’ve asked for it repeatedly, sir. We have not received it. I’m asking again in this forum—I shouldn’t have to do so.”
Blumenthal further sought details on why an overdue annual veteran suicide report had not been released to Congress. He noted that although completed in September, its transmission was blocked by a “non-concur” from VA’s Legislative Affairs team. “Well it’s overdue, can you provide it?...I think you owe it to Congress and veterans that the report is issued,” he stated.
The hearing followed Blumenthal’s recent release of a report titled "Breaking the Pact: Impacts of Trump, DOGE, and Doug Collins’ Ongoing Assault on Veterans." The report cited significant staff losses at VA facilities nationwide and increasing wait times for mental health care services.
During his opening remarks at the hearing, Blumenthal honored Alex Pretti—a nurse at Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center—who died after being shot while assisting someone during a protest in Minneapolis.
Blumenthal addressed concerns regarding proposed reorganization within VHA (Veterans Health Administration), emphasizing potential negative impacts on frontline workers: “I have concerns about the potentially negative impacts of the reorganization on frontline employees. And how restructuring the nation's largest health care system will be impossible without dedicated, experienced staff.”
He called for greater transparency from Secretary Collins and urged more responsiveness from VA leadership: “That is the coin of the realm in Congress... Nearly all your predecessors have welcomed accountability and made concerted efforts to build constructive relationship with Congress... I hope that in turning over this leaf and beginning a new chapter we can move forward to provide for more responsiveness and more facts forthcoming to our veterans.”
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee oversees benefits and health care programs designed to support those who have served in U.S. military forces. Established in 1970 as part of ongoing legislative efforts—including expansion through measures like education benefits—the committee works closely with entities such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and various Veteran Service Organizations to improve access to care and services for veterans across America.
According to its official website, Jerry Moran serves as chairman while Richard Blumenthal holds his current role as ranking member.
