U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono accused the Trump administration Thursday of “sowing chaos” for veterans and the federal employees who care for them though policies that threaten to negatively impact their health care and benefits.

What You Need To Know

  • Hirono’s comments came at a news briefing also attended by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and other Senate colleagues

  • The senator noted that despite existing staffing shortages and an increased demand for services, the administration is moving ahead with initiatives that will further deplete the VA’s workforce

  • Hirono said the administration’s actions will affect more than just the 15 million veterans in the country (more than 100,000 in Hawaii), but also the national health care system

“While Trump and his billionaire buddies continue to treat government agencies like corporations, our veterans are the ones who will pay the price,” said Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “This shouldn’t be controversial. Providing world class care for our veterans is something we should all be able to agree on and I will continue doing everything I can to protect and care for our nation’s servicemembers and veterans.”

Hirono’s comments came at a news briefing also attended by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and other Senate colleagues, representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs labor unions, veterans and advocates.

Hirono noted that despite existing staffing shortages and an increased demand for services, the administration is moving ahead with initiatives that will further deplete the VA’s workforce, including the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s Workforce Optimization Initiative that aims to reduce the federal workforce by 75%, a federal hiring freeze and the deferred resignation program. She said veterans’ health care and benefits, food service, homelessness and mental health programs, cemetery services and other VA services could be negatively impacted.

“Veterans are important members of our communities who deserve the utmost respect and have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country,” Hirono said. “Yet, President Trump and his administration’s recent executive orders are sowing chaos for our veterans and the federal employees who care for them, causing health care and benefits shortages, and causing instability that affects the health of millions of Americans.

Hirono said the administration’s actions will affect more than just the 15 million veterans in the country (more than 100,000 in Hawaii), but also the national health care system as an estimated 70% of physicians practicing in the United States have trained at VA hospitals. She noted that in addition to physicians, many other health care professionals — including nurses, medical technicians, administrators, and those who keep medical facilities safe and clean — also rely on VA facilities for training.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.