MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders, Blumenthal to Introduce Bill to Rehire VA Workers, Reverse Trump Layoffs of America’s Veterans

MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders, Blumenthal to Introduce Bill to Rehire VA Workers, Reverse Trump Layoffs of America’s Veterans

WASHINGTON, March 12 – In response to President Trump’s mass terminations of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and veterans serving as federal employees, and his egregious attempts to slash veterans health care and benefits, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), former chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), ranking member of the committee, announced that they will hold a press conference Thursday to introduce the Putting Veterans First Act. This comprehensive legislation will protect veterans, military spouses, and VA employees indiscriminately targeted in the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) cuts at VA and across the federal government. 

Among its many provisions, the Putting Veterans First Act would: 

  • Reinstate all fired veterans, military spouses, survivors, caregivers and members of the Guard and Reserve immediately with full back pay and benefits;
  • Prevent that same group from being included in future mass terminations and provide them additional due process protections;
  • Determine the financial impact of DOGE’s reckless cancellation of contracts providing critical care and services to veterans;
  • Prohibit DOGE from accessing veterans’ private data;
  • Require the VA to certify to Congress that for each removal of an employee from the Department under Reduction in Force efforts, the move will not impact delivery of care or benefits of veterans. This provision was drafted in direct response to the VA’s disastrous plan to cut more than 80,000 employees, leaked in a damning internal memo last week—which VA Secretary Collins continues to claim will have no impact on care and benefits, despite providing no evidence to support his claims; and
  • Provide critical mental health care for former and current civil servants.

Details
What: Press conference to introduce the Putting Veterans First Act
When: Thursday, March 13, 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Senate Swamp 

Who: 

  • Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), former chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee

Press RSVP: Press interested in attending should RSVP with press@sanders.senate.gov and Liz_Timmons@vetaff.senate.gov.