Lawmakers, veterans groups warn VA firings and contract cancellations risk veterans' access to care

At a joint House–Senate hearing on March 4, 2025, leaders from veterans service organizations and members of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees warned that waves of terminations, hiring freezes and recent contract cancellations at the Department of Veterans Affairs risk interrupting veterans' health care and critical services.

Speakers told the committee that abrupt personnel and contracting actions announced by VA leadership and the administration have already produced local service disruptions and could hamper implementation of recent laws. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the cancellations had been described publicly as "875" contracts and that members and VSOs were unable to confirm which contracts were on the list. "Secretary Collins proudly announced that he had canceled a number, in fact, 875," he said, urging transparency. Ranking Member Mark Takano said the firings had been unlawful…