Washington, Mar 10 (V7N) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to begin large-scale layoffs as early as June, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters. The memo, dated March 6, directs the VA's human resources team to begin reviewing operations with a focus on potential reductions in the workforce. The department expects the review to be completed by June, after which it will initiate "Department-wide RIF actions" (reduction in force).

In response to inquiries, the VA referred to a recent opinion piece by Secretary Doug Collins, in which he defended the planned cuts as "thorough and thoughtful."

The proposed reductions have raised alarms among veterans' groups, Democrats, and some Republicans, with concerns that more than 80,000 jobs could be eliminated. These layoffs are more extensive than those proposed at other agencies and would target a department traditionally supported across party lines due to its role in serving U.S. military veterans.

Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the cuts, calling them a "full-scale, no-holds-barred assault on veterans" that would jeopardize veterans' health benefits. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who learned of the cuts from the media, described the move as "political malpractice" for not consulting Congress.

The job reductions are part of broader efforts by President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk to reduce the size of the federal government.

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