WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' plans to abruptly eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions this month:

"Back in March, when I sounded the alarm about staffing levels at the new Veterans Affairs (VA) facility in Chesapeake, VA Secretary Doug Collins called me a liar. While I don't expect an apology, America's veterans-who will be forced to wait longer to see fewer doctors because of Collins' plans to axe 35,000 VA health care workers-deserve one. This news is dangerous and reckless-but not surprising. President Trump fired more veterans in his first few weeks in office alone than any other U.S. President. Congress must provide critical oversight and do everything possible to protect our veterans from this shameless Administration."

Senate Democrats proposed legislation in July to prevent the Trump Administration from baselessly firing veterans from the federal workforce. Senate Republicans blocked it.

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