House Veterans Affairs subcommittee presses VA on OIT reorganization, FY26 cuts and cybersecurity plans

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs subcommittee examined the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Information and Technology (OIT) on its planned reorganization, workforce reductions, and FY 2026 information-technology budget during a hearing called by Chairman Barrett.

"Nothing in the VA functions without technology," Chairman Barrett said in opening remarks, framing the hearing around OIT's role in delivering benefits and health care services.

Members pressed OIT leaders and a Government Accountability Office witness on the department's FY 2026 IT request, workforce changes, and cybersecurity work. Carol Harris, director of IT and cybersecurity at the GAO, told the panel that VA has requested $7,300,000,000 for IT in FY 2026, an almost $300,000,000 decrease from FY 2025, and that the request proposes funding for about 7,000 full-time equivalents — a drop GAO described as roughly an 11.7% reduction from the prior year. "We have reported on VA's challenges with managing a myriad of major IT acquisitions and operations," Harris said.

The hearing centered on three recurring OIT themes: budget optimization, workforce reshaping, and cybersecurity.

OIT officials described reinvestments and reorganizational steps. Eddie Poole, performing the duties of assistant secretary for OIT and VA chief…