The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is planning to reduce its workforce by over 80,000 employees, according to an internal memo cited by U.S. media outlets.
The memo, sent by the VA’s chief of staff Christopher Syrek to senior officials on Tuesday, stated that the goal is to return the agency to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000 employees. This move would require cutting approximately 82,000 staff members.
The decision comes as the VA seeks to streamline its operations and improve efficiency within the department. The agency, which provides vital services to military veterans, has expanded its workforce in recent years. However, officials now believe that returning to previous staffing levels will help refocus resources and better serve veterans’ needs.
The proposed cuts have raised concerns among veterans’ advocacy groups and employees about the potential impact on services. There are questions about how the reductions might affect healthcare, benefits processing, and other essential support services provided to veterans across the country.
As of now, the VA has not publicly commented on the memo or provided further details about the timeline or specific areas that will be affected by the staffing cuts. Employees and veterans are awaiting more information on how the agency plans to implement these changes while maintaining the quality of services.
