WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement on VA Secretary Doug Collins’ first appearance in front of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee since his confirmation hearing:
“Veterans in Arizona and across the country are watching this Administration dismantle the VA they rely on, and they’re terrified. Today I heard Secretary Collins say he’s prioritizing veterans, but under his leadership, providers at the Phoenix VA are being fired, veterans are losing access to care, and suicide prevention programs are at risk.
“The Trump Administration told the Phoenix VA Medical Center to identify 15% of their staff for layoffs. The idea that you can cut 15% of a facility’s workforce without impacting care is nonsense, and it’s deeply disrespectful to the frontline staff who care for our veterans every day.
“This dangerous path Secretary Collins is on must be reversed before it costs lives.”
5/6/25