Senator Richard Blumenthal calls for an informal hearing to address the impact of Trump administration cuts on veterans and the VA, but the invitation is likely to be declined
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee, has called on Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to testify at an informal hearing next week. The hearing aims to discuss the effects of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce on veterans and the agency that serves them. However, Collins is expected to decline the invitation, as Blumenthal, a member of the minority party, lacks the authority to convene an official hearing. This move is part of a broader effort by Senate Democrats to scrutinize the administration’s policies, particularly in the absence of oversight from the Republican-controlled Congress.
The Trump administration’s initial cuts at the Veterans Affairs Department, along with the cancellation of hundreds of contracts, have caused significant disruptions, including halted treatment studies and layoffs of support staff. Collins has announced plans for deeper cuts, potentially eliminating 80,000 jobs and reviewing tens of thousands of contracts. Blumenthal emphasized the urgency of congressional oversight during what he described as a “moment of crisis for veterans,” stressing the need to highlight the impact of these cuts on veterans and VA employees.