Deluzio, Dozens of Veterans Stand Strong Against Trump Effort to Privatize VA and Cut Veterans Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Navy and Iraq War veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) joined dozens of veterans united in opposition to the Trump Administration's efforts to gut the VA and disrupt its work delivering earned care and benefits to America's veterans. Along with veteran leaders from the group Common Defense, Congressman Deluzio was joined at the event by fellow veterans and veteran supporters in Congress, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), House Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Senator Mike Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-18).

"It's not complicated what Trump and DOGE are doing: they are trying to dismantle and weaken the VA so much that they have an excuse to sell it off to the highest bidder," said Congressman Deluzio. "My fellow veterans who wore the uniform were willing to lay it on the line for our country. VA care and benefits are hard-earned, and we will not sit quietly by as Trump and Musk try to rip away our earned care and benefits. This is a fight we intend to win-and the American people are with us."

The Trump Administration is planning to fire around 83,000 employeesfrom the VA-about one out of every five staff who work for the Department of Veterans Affairs across the country. The Trump VA is also pausing VA medical researchand some clinical trials-although the specific ones remain unannounced.

Congressman Deluzio is a leading voice in the fight against privatization of the VA. He has published several op-eds,gone on national television, and given speeches on the subject. Since the start of 2025, the Congressman has been communicating regularly with the Pittsburgh VA about the impacts that the Trump Administration's cuts are having on veterans' care and services in Western Pennsylvania. He sent multiple lettersto VA Pittsburgh Director Koenig and met with him in March. He is also soliciting comments from VA employees and patients through an online formwhere people can share their experiences.

Photos of the press conference are available here. A full recording of the event is available here.

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