WASHINGTON – Congressman Shomari Figures recently sent a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins asking for details on job cuts at VA facilities in Alabama.
Figures, D-Mobile, is seeking information on the number of VA employees laid off in Alabama as part of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cuts. He also asked for information on how the cuts will impact VA services in the state, including at facilities in Congressional District 2 in Mobile, Montgomery and Tuskegee. The extent of any service disruptions remain unclear at this time.
The VA said its Alabama Medical Centers have dismissed “a small number of probationary staff” but did not specify the number when asked to clarify. The department said it could not discuss personnel matters.
“It is imperative that we have a full understanding of the scale and scope of the layoffs in Alabama, as we have become aware that these layoffs have already begun to significantly affect operations,” Figures wrote.
Nationally, the VA cut more than 2,400 employees in February. The department announced it dismissed more than 1,000 employees on Feb. 13 and dismissed 1,400 more employees in “non-mission critical positions” on Feb. 24.
The VA said non-mission critical positions include DEI-related positions, while mission critical jobs include Veterans Crisis Line responders. The combined cuts are expected to save the department $181 million per year.
The job cuts are part of the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to slash the federal government’s workforce.
The VA said the job cuts in Alabama would not hurt care for veterans.
“This decision will have no negative effect on Veteran health care, benefits or other services and will allow VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors,” a VA spokesperson said.
However, Figures called the layoffs “deeply concerning” and said they could impact the quality of care for veterans.
“I believe addressing this matter is critical to ensuring our veterans receive the care they deserve,” Figures wrote. “These individuals have selflessly served our country, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are not burdened further by delays or service interruptions.”
The VA has medical centers in Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Tuskegee. It also has several out-patient clinics and vet centers in Alabama.
Figures asked the secretary to provide a list of VA employees in Alabama who have been laid off or who are expected to be laid off by March 7. He also asked for a meeting with Secretary Collins before March 14.
You can read the full letter here.
Alabama has more than 347,000 veterans, according to the VA.
The Musk-run DOGE recently cut five Social Security workers in Birmingham.