Former Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said Thursday that he did not know any system, which the department was preparing to cut 72,000 jobs following the announcement of Dug Collins, head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“I appreciate the administration to keep an eye on how I can do this agency better. We cannot continue the status quo. Waiting time is increasing… P Te suicide is actually increasing, we have thousands of homeless retired soldiers, so we need to take a look at how to improve this system, “Shulkin told Brian Killer at” CNN News Central “.
“But I don’t know any system that cuts the way to excellence,” he added.
In a video statement on Wednesday, Collins said when the V.A. It worked on “Department-Visiting Review of its organization, operation and constitution”, while in line with President Trump’s Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) Workforce Optim PTIs, the department was taking a practical and disciplined approach to eliminate waste and bureaucracy.
“Our goal is to reduce the level of VA employment, about 398,000 employees, from our current level of about 470,000 employees,” Collins said in the video. “Now it is a 15 percent decline. We have health care or retired soldiers and V.A. We are going to accomplish this without benefiting the beneficiaries. “
Last week, the VA fired 1,400 employees as it was already facing a public wager on low transparency after 1,000 other workers were fired in early February.
“VA is a tremendous national resource, and it is full of people who are to help retired soldiers.”
“So, one thing we don’t want to do is to lose confidence in VA,” he said further.
When Reached for a commentDirected by this hill to Thursday’s opinion part of Collins by VA “Secretary Collins: We Veterans Real Solutions of America.
“Many people are VA. We are complaining about the changes we are making. Collins wrote in part, “Most of them really say,” VA always continue to do the same, ‘Collins wrote in part.
“No He added that days of kicking on the road and measuring the progress of VA, how much money it spends and how many people are working – how many retired soldiers help – “he added.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told The Hill on Thursday that the President “is constantly standing in uniforms for our brave men and women – delivering crucial reforms that have improved VA healthcare, reduced P Tee homeless, and increased education benefits.”
Kelly added, “His efforts to reduce futile expenses and make agencies more efficient will ensure that our government can serve all American families, especially our retired soldiers.”
A spokeswoman for the Office Fiss PER PER Personal Management (OPM) told Hill in an email that “OPM” recognizes the dedication and service of all federal employees, including our P TE workforce, and is committed to supporting them during this transition. “
The spokesperson added, “When the workforce restructuring can be a difficult process, we are working to ensure successful resources and opportunities to the affected employees.”
Updated at EST at 4:40 p.m.
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