Video: Blumenthal Stresses Concerns with VA Hiring Freeze Ahead of Vote to Advance VA Secretary Nominee Doug Collins

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, delivered opening remarks ahead of voting to support advancing Doug Collins, nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of Committee. During his remarks, Blumenthal stressed his concerns about a hiring freeze at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued by President Donald Trump on Monday and committed to working with Collins to address this issue.

“I’m going to support Doug Collins to be our next VA Secretary. I was impressed by many of his answers and commitments to continue the forward progress for our veterans – which has been such a bipartisan cause, particularly in seeking expansion of the PACT Act for toxic-exposed veterans, upgrading the VA facilities nationwide, delivering more resources to prevent veteran homelessness, and utilizing every resource possible to stop veteran suicide,” said Blumenthal. “I’m hopeful he’s going to be the kind of advocate we’re really going to need in this era, when the challenges will be greater than ever before fiscally, and the pressure to scale back, to cut costs, to pursue harmful policies that may negatively affect our veterans will also be greater.”

Blumenthal continued, “I continue to have serious, really intense concerns about the hiring freeze that has been apparently implemented in the Trump Administration. Whatever the effects on other Departments or Agencies, all of you know how dire the need is for the doctors, the nurses, the attendants – everyone involved in the VA health care system. There’s openings now, they need to be filled – particularly for mental health care. Delaying these medical appointments and benefits is in some cases denial of those benefits because health is such an urgent need for many of our veterans, particularly our older veterans. Despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt, we’re now hearing that there is a hiring freeze at the VBA, making it harder for veterans to access their earned benefits, including the benefits promised by the PACT Act. And I will address this issue on a continuing basis with the nominee.”

This nomination was voted out of Committee 18-1, and now heads to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote by the full chamber.

At his nomination hearing earlier this week, Blumenthal pressed Collins to push back against a hiring freeze at VA. This hiring freeze could include positions already facing shortages, including those that deliver veterans’ health care and benefits, and that work at VA cemeteries.

The full video of Blumenthal’s remarks are available here and the transcript is copied below.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to support Doug Collins to be our next VA Secretary. I was impressed by many of his answers and commitments to continue the forward progress for our veterans – which has been such a bipartisan cause, particularly in seeking expansion of the PACT Act for toxic-exposed veterans, upgrading the VA facilities nationwide, delivering more resources to prevent veteran homelessness, and utilizing every resource possible to stop veteran suicide.

I’m hopeful he’s going to be the kind of advocate we’re really going to need in this era, when the challenges will be greater than ever before fiscally, and the pressure to scale back, to cut costs, to pursue harmful policies that may negatively affect our veterans will also be greater. If he’s confirmed, as I expect he will be, I welcome the opportunity to work and advocate with him in the Administration and improve services for veterans in Connecticut and across the country, and especially, as I know every member of this Committee is interested in doing, building and rebuilding and renovating the infrastructure and facilities that are so important.

I continue to have serious, really intense concerns about the hiring freeze that has been apparently implemented in the Trump Administration. Whatever the effects on other Departments or Agencies, all of you know how dire the need is for the doctors, the nurses, the attendants – everyone involved in the VA health care system. There’s openings now, they need to be filled – particularly for mental health care. Delaying these medical appointments and benefits is in some cases denial of those benefits because health is such an urgent need for many of our veterans, particularly our older veterans.

Despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt, we’re now hearing that there is a hiring freeze at the VBA, making it harder for veterans to access their earned benefits, including the benefits promised by the PACT Act. And I will address this issue on a continuing basis with the nominee. Making it more difficult for veterans to access their earned benefits including the benefits promised by the PACT Act and I will address this issue on a continuing basis with the nominee.

I am also concerned that the Trump Administration will overturn the regulations that allows the VA to provide abortion counseling and care to veterans in cases of rape, incest, and risk to life or health of the veteran. I know I am not alone on this Committee in that that concern. We are going to be watching - and although the nominee gave us less than a completely and explicit or clear answer, he did promise to let us know if there was going to be reconsideration of this rule. And the rule of course is a rule. If it’s to be overturned it has to be done by the same rulemaking process that was pursued to make the rule.

So, thank you Mr. Chairman for conducting the hearing and this meeting in such a bipartisan way and I think Mr. Collins will be off to a good start.

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