Government shutdown a 'hindrance' for US veterans: VA secretary
Share and Follow


() As a government shutdown began Wednesday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins told the pause will negatively affect many U.S. veterans.

“Many of them work in the federal government. Many of them have services provided to them after they’ve gotten out through the federal government,” Collins said on “Morning in America.” “And this shutdown simply is going to be a hindrance into getting that help here at the VA.”

He clarified that VA centers and hospitals would remain open, but said some career, transition and communication services wouldn’t be available during the shutdown.

“It cuts out our ability to communicate, mass communication, through our public affairs and through our communication devices. You know, those are the kind of things that are helping the vulnerable, the fringe veterans, who need our help to be reached,” Collins added.

Collins, a former Republican congressman in Georgia, denounced the funding bill faceoff leading to the shutdown as nothing more than a “political ploy” from Senate Democrats.

“This is veterans and non-veterans alike, who are now dealing with a government that is being dysfunctional and held hostage by a group that says they don’t want to even keep it open for seven weeks,” he said.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that as many as 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed during the shutdown, including at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Military members, FBI agents, air traffic controllers and intelligence officers will keep working through the shutdown.

‘s Tom Dempsey and Anna Kutz contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Stephen A. Smith Claps Back at Kash Patel: A Must-See Showdown!

In a bold declaration, Stephen A. Smith is standing firm on his…

Filipino Social Media Influencer Passes Away at 19 in Los Angeles Residence, Family Confirms

Tragedy struck the social media world this week as rising influencer Emmanuelle…

AI Error Leads to Shocking Incident: Police Handcuff Student Mistakenly Identified with Weapon

A high school student in Maryland found himself in a tense situation…

Discover the Top 30 Wealthiest and Safest Retirement Havens in America—Including an Unexpected NYC Suburb!

If you’re dreaming of spending your retirement in comfort and security, relocating…

Breaking: American Missionary Abducted in Niger Amid Rising Islamist Militancy Concerns

The U.S. government has confirmed its awareness of the abduction of an…

Tragic Case of Mistaken Identity: Missouri Man Attacked, Wrong Bear Killed in Arkansas

NEWTON COUNTY, Ark. (KTVI) – In a recent update from Arkansas wildlife…

Federal Agents Deploy Tear Gas Amid Turmoil in Chicago Neighborhood: A Closer Look

CHICAGO (WGN) Authorities detained at least three individuals following a clash between…

Weekend CTA Train Disruptions: Major Service Halts on Chicago’s Elevated Loop Affecting Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced on Wednesday that there…