Congressman Vindman,Attorney General Jones Hosts Veterans Roundtable; Address Fredericksburg VA Concerns

Fredericksburg, Va. - On Friday, August 7, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) hosted a roundtable in Fredericksburg with Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, bringing together veterans from across Virginia's Seventh Congressional District to discuss their concerns and experiences accessing care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The discussion focused on the quality of health care veterans receive from VA providers, as well as the persistent long wait times and understaffing veterans in the region have faced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. Veterans shared their experiences navigating the system and discussed the need for additional staff, shorter wait times, and reliable access to the timely, high-quality care they have earned.

"As a 25-year Army veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know there are many sacrifices you all have made to serve our country. And I know that when this country asks people to serve, we make a promise to take care of them when they come home," Vindman told the veterans.

"Too many of you are telling me that promise is being broken," he continued. "The Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center was supposed to provide timely, high-quality care close to home. Instead, veterans are facing long wait times and poor service because the facility remains critically understaffed and under-equipped. I won't stop fighting until the Fredericksburg VA and every other VA facility is fully staffed."

BACKGROUND

In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned.

Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation's veterans receive the care they earned through their service in five different letters.

• Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here.
• Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here.
• Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here.
• Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letter here.
• Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here.

A previously scheduled in-person meeting to address the staffing shortages and operational delays was also canceled, further delaying progress.

In the coming weeks, Vindman is set to meet with VA staff to voice his concerns.

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