Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is taking aim at a proposal that could cut 83,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, warning that such a move would hurt veterans who rely on government-provided healthcare and benefits.
In a recent post on X, Sanders called out President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk for supporting the plan, arguing that slashing the VA's workforce would result in declining healthcare quality and longer wait times for veterans seeking assistance.
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‘The Quality of Veterans' Healthcare Will Deteriorate'
Sanders, who previously chaired and still serves on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, made it clear that he believes the proposal would break America's promise to those who served in the military.
"What Musk and Trump recently announced, there was a proposal out there, that they want to fire, or they have a planned reduction of 83,000 employees at the Veterans Administration," Sanders said. "What it means is that the quality of health care that veterans get will deteriorate. The amount of time that it takes for them to get the benefits that are due them will become even longer."
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He also pointed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars' opposition to the cuts, highlighting a recent statement from the organization: "We now call upon VA to reconsider its planned reduction of 83,000 employees."
On the other hand, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said in a video posted on social media that "This administration is finally going to give the veterans what they want. We’re going to make the department work better for the veterans, families, caregivers and survivors."
Musk's Mass Layoffs
This isn't the first time Sanders has warned about Musk's recent actions through the Department of Government Efficiency. Last month, he cautioned that the billionaire's influence could extend far beyond government firings, potentially putting private-sector workers at risk.
"Today, it’s federal workers. Tomorrow, it’s your job. That’s what oligarchy is about," Sanders posted on X.
He criticized Musk's $277 million donation to “elect Donald Trump,” arguing that it has positioned him as one of the most powerful figures in the federal government. "Musk is now the most important person in government. What does that sound like to you? Does that sound like a democracy… or is it really an oligarchy doing the bidding of the very richest people?" Sanders asked in a recent interview.
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Trump's Budget Priorities Under Fire
Sanders linked the VA job cuts to a broader Republican strategy, accusing Trump of prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy while slashing programs that working families depend on, including Medicaid and student aid.
"The end goal of oligarchy is to make the richest people who are already phenomenally rich even richer," Sanders said. "How do you do that? You give them massive tax breaks. And where do you get the money? You cut programs that working people need."
Sanders remains adamant that the U.S. has a duty to protect its veterans, not cut their services to balance the budget. "When somebody puts his or her life on the line to defend this country, we keep the promises we made to those veterans," he said. “You do not balance the budget on the backs of those who defended this country.”
With veterans' organizations speaking out against the proposed VA job cuts, Sanders is urging the Trump administration to rethink its position. "They are right, they are absolutely right, and I call upon the Trump administration to rescind that order."
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