Secretary Collins has continued to attack, erode, and disrespect VA's workforce, putting services for veterans in danger.
As VA slashes critical positions, VA claims that these are “old COVID-era positions” for jobs that are no longer needed. But VA's own data shows that is not the case.
The President started an illegal war with Iran, putting servicemembers' lives at risk, all while VA's Sec. is busy gutting VA from the inside out. His leadership leaves our veterans vulnerable when they return home. We need a VA that is prepared to provide the benefits we promised to our veterans.
VA told veterans their care wouldn't be affected by cuts, but the numbers say otherwise. 14,400 medical positions — gone. Not filled. Eliminated by Secretary Collins. 1,500 physician positions & 4,900 nursing roles — gone. That's not all...
To read the full article: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/u...
VA has lost over 1500 physicians in the last year! Sec. Collins claims he can't hire or retain doctors because he can't pay them enough. But over a year ago, Congress gave VA the authority to pay doctors more under the Dole Act. The Secretary either doesn't know the law or is refusing to use it.
🚨STARTING AT 10:15 AM ET – the Subcommittee on Health will conduct a hearing entitled “Hidden Wounds: Effectively Supporting Veterans with TBI”.
📺 To hear RM @juliabrownley.house.gov’s opening remarks: youtube.com/live/xTf8FzR...
STARTING AT 2:15 PM ET – the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will conduct a hearing entitled “Delivering for Veterans and Caregivers: Year One of the Dole Act”.
To listen to RM @ramirez.house.gov’s opening remarks: youtube.com/live/xcSV7Dh...
Paying for the true cost of war means investing in VA now!
We must pass the Major Richard Star Act now- veterans earned these benefits. Listen to American Legion National Commander highlight the urgency for this bill's passage.
The cost of war is more than the cost of the tanks, ships, and guns our troops need to fight in the conflicts our country sends them into. The cost of war lasts long after servicemembers return home. Is VA prepared to provide a lifetime of medical care and compensation?
VA claims it’s cutting unneeded, Covid-era vacant VA positions. The data they shared with Congress shows that’s not true. 73% of the eliminated positions were last filled in 2025 or 2026. Read the New York Times article now: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/u...
🚨 STARTING AT 9:45 AM ET in Dirksen G50 - the House & Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs will conduct a Joint Legislative Presentation of multiple VSOs.
📺 To listen to RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social's remarks, or to hear the statements from our VSO partners: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQS9...
It was clear at today's VSO hearing that veteran suicide has deeply impacted our communities. To our veterans: you are not alone. We see you. We support you. If you want to talk to someone or need help, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.
Sen. Johnson blocked a Senate floor vote & passage of the Major Richard Star Act TWICE today- denying veterans the full retirement benefits they earned. Vets can't afford to wait any longer. Listen to Mr. Fetro with the FRA, as he highlights the importance of passing this bill.
Our nation's veterans were promised healthcare and benefits in return for their service. This is a sacred obligation we must honor by bolstering VA and ensuring it has the staffing to deliver timely, high-quality care. Shrinking VA or hindering direct care is not the answer.
As VFW said today, we must "honor the contract".
We hear you loud and clear VFW.
Doing more with less isn't inherently good. When it comes to veterans' care, it's a harmful approach.
You cannot shrink VA while starting a war and claim you are prepared for the true costs of war.
🚨 STARTING AT 10 AM ET in Dirksen G50 - the House & Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs will conduct a Joint Legislative Presentation of multiple VSOs.
📺 To listen to RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social's remarks, or to hear the statements from our VSO partners: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4qS...
"None of the critics of the Collins [VHA reorganization] plan, least of all Kizer, question the fact that change is needed at VHA, just not the kind Collins proposes."
Via: @prospect.org
Read more: tinyurl.com/psc94u3u
"Since taking over the helm, Collins has imported DOGE-like chaos into the veterans health care system, firing staff, refusing to fill and then capping vacant positions, canceling contracts, terminating research grants, and most recently trying to reduce veterans’ disability benefits."
Has this administration planned and budgeted for the long-term costs of this conflict: medical care, disability compensation, mental health services, prosthetics, caregiver support, and transition assistance? Their recent effort to cut benefits and hollow out VA suggests the answer is no.
You cannot shrink VA while starting a war and claim you are prepared for the true costs of war. Freedom is never free, and the obligation to care for those who defend it is not optional.
RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social statement on Military action against Iran: tinyurl.com/2392jxuy
VA tried to quietly cut disability benefits for veterans who take medication to manage their conditions. They made this rule change with zero input from veterans, VSOs, or Congress. But we fought back, and it worked. We must continue to hold VA accountable.
If we want veterans to complete job training programs, we need to support them through the whole process — not continually cut their housing benefits every few months. Veterans need more support for longer, so they can actually finish what they started.
Reproductive care IS healthcare. Period.
In December, VA cut abortion access and counseling for veterans — people who sacrificed everything for this country. Stripping these options away isn't just cruel. It's dangerous.
Bad actors were hiring their own graduates to teach the next class — just to game VA employment numbers. @repchrispappas.bsky.social's amendment to HR 7103 closes that loophole and requires VA to actually measure success the right way.
3/3: Veterans earned these benefits through their service & sacrifice for our nation. The medications they take may alleviate their symptoms, but they don't erase them. Veterans' treatment should never come between them & their benefits.
2/3: @repmarktakano.bsky.social & 60+ House Democrats stood with them, formally calling for an official rescission of the rule. Democrats listened to their constituents, VSOs listened to their members, & finally, the Secretary has listened to them.
RM Takano's statement: tinyurl.com/mr3bkm4p
🧵1/3: When VA made a rule changing how veteran disability ratings were evaluated, veterans pushed back. They flooded the Federal Register with nearly 20,000 comments demanding to be heard. The people who served this country refused to let VA quietly take away what they earned.
