The VA lost roughly 40,000 employees with a net reduction of 27,000 positions. Appointments are being canceled or delayed, and facilities are losing psychologists who treat PTSD.
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Call Your Representative
U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Here's what to say:
- I'm calling to urge the Senator to fully fund VA staffing and lift hiring caps.
- The VA has lost roughly 40,000 employees. That is a net reduction of 27,000 positions even after accounting for new hires.
- Veterans are having appointments canceled. PTSD therapy sessions are harder to schedule. Psychologists are leaving facilities from Seattle to Buffalo.
- Staffing caps are still in place even though the hiring freeze was officially lifted. That needs to end.
- I'm a constituent. Veterans earned this care. Please fund it.
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Write Your Own Letter
Prefer to write in your own words? Use this as a starting point.
Dear [Senator/Representative name],
I am writing as a constituent from [city, state] about stop va staffing cuts.
The VA has lost roughly 40,000 employees. That is a net reduction of 27,000 positions even after accounting for new hires.
Veterans are having appointments canceled. PTSD therapy sessions are harder to schedule. Psychologists are leaving facilities from Seattle to Buffalo.
Staffing caps are still in place even though the hiring freeze was officially lifted. That needs to end.
The facts support this: 40,000 Employees shed from the VA according to a congressional report. 27,000+ Net reduction in VA positions after accounting for new hires.
I am asking you to take a public position on this issue and act accordingly. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
Find your representative to send this directly.
Key Facts to Mention
Use these in your letter, call, email, or social post.
- 40,000 Employees shed from the VA according to a congressional report
- 27,000+ Net reduction in VA positions after accounting for new hires
Preview the full letter
The VA shed roughly 40,000 employees according to a Democratic congressional report, with a net reduction of more than 27,000 positions after accounting for new hires. Staffing caps remain in place even after a hiring freeze was officially lifted in January 2026.
Veterans are feeling it. Appointments are being canceled or delayed. PTSD-specific appointments and group therapy sessions take longer to schedule. Facilities from Seattle to Buffalo are losing psychologists. Veterans who depend on consistent, trauma-informed care are being pushed into instability.
Tell Congress to lift VA hiring caps, fund full staffing at every VA medical center, and require monthly reporting on appointment wait times by facility.
This action is part of our Public Workers coverage.