[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement following reporting on an internal memo from senior Trump Administration officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) detailing their plans to cut more than 80,000 VA employees this year.

“Congress worked in a bipartisan manner to pass the PACT Act and equip VA with the tools and resources needed to serve more veterans than ever. Since January 20, this Administration has launched an all-out assault undermining that progress and attacking the VA workforce and the veterans it serves. This memo makes their goal crystal clear: they want to roll back the PACT Act by cutting 80,000 jobs—including 20,000 veterans—while starving VA’s ability to meet increased demand in order to justify privatizing VA. Their plan prioritizes private sector profits over veterans’ care, balancing the budget on the backs of those who served. It’s a shameful betrayal, and veterans will pay the price for their unforgivable corruption, incompetence, and immorality.”