WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sent a letter on Wednesday urging Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to immediately and permanently reverse the Trump Administration’s terminations of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees in Nevada for “poor performance” despite their evaluations showing otherwise. In her letter, Senator Rosen also highlighted how these terminations will negatively impact veterans in Nevada, and she demanded full transparency regarding who was laid off. Earlier today, a federal judge blocked these firings and ordered employees to be rehired — a ruling which likely will be appealed. Rosen’s letter calls for the firings to be permanently reversed.
“I write to express my profound concern and outrage regarding the recent termination of numerous high-performing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees in Nevada and across the country who have been dismissed under the false justification of “poor performance.” This claim is in direct contradiction to their performance evaluations, which consistently highlight their exceptional work and critical contributions,” wrote Senator Rosen. “What is even more troubling is that these employees—key staff members who provide essential support to our nation’s veterans—are now left without any recourse or any means of providing for their families, as their separation due to alleged “poor performance” may make them ineligible for unemployment benefits. I therefore strongly urge you to immediately reinstate these employees and ensure that no further high-performing employees are fired under false pretenses.”
“Furthermore, I request full transparency regarding the names and positions of those who have been fired, as well as a detailed explanation for their termination despite their exemplary performance records,” she continued. “I also request your commitment to ensuring that no further high-performing VA employees are terminated under the false justification that they are poor performers.”
The full letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been fighting back against attacks on the VA and its employees who serve veterans. Last week, she spoke on the Senate floor to demand the reversal of layoffs at the VA. In a previous letter, she demanded the VA reinstate every veteran illegally fired in mass terminations and called on the VA to provide answers regarding mass employee terminations. She also urged the VA to take immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk.
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