Optimized Headline: VA Secretary Collins to Face Senate Hearing on Reform Plans and Budget
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Optimized Headline: VA Secretary Collins to Face Senate Hearing on Reform Plans and Budget
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Since taking office, Collins has been at the center of controversy regarding proposed staff reductions at the VA. While he previously mentioned a goal of cutting staff by 15%, Collins recently clarified that no final decisions have been made. In an interview with Spectrum News, he stated that the 15% figure was a target and that the department is currently assessing whether such reductions would still allow the VA to maintain quality healthcare and timely processing of benefits.
Collins has pushed back against criticism from Democrats who have raised alarms about potential cuts to veterans benefits. He insisted that such cuts are "not even on the table" and characterized these statements as "lies and innuendo." The Secretary has been vocal about his commitment to improving services for veterans, stating, "We're putting Veterans number one back at the VA."
As part of his reform efforts, Collins has redirected approximately $300 million from contract savings to community care programs, aiming to provide veterans with quicker access to healthcare providers both within the VA system and in the community. He has also reportedly redirected nearly $98 million toward veterans' care and services.
The VA has been implementing workforce changes since the beginning of the year. The agency, which employs over 470,000 workers, has maintained a hiring freeze after laying off several hundred employees in February. In total, 1,400 probationary workers have been terminated since January as part of broader federal workforce reductions by the Trump administration.
Collins' upcoming Senate hearing will provide lawmakers with an opportunity to question him about these changes and his vision for the department. Senator Moran stated that the hearing will allow committee members to ask about "recent and planned changes underway at VA" and receive an overview of the Secretary's goals three months after his bipartisan confirmation.
The Secretary has repeatedly denied rumors about cuts to veterans' healthcare and benefits, and has emphasized the department's commitment to safeguarding 300,000 mission-critical positions to ensure uninterrupted services for veterans.