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Veteran Affairs secretary urges Schumer to reopen government

EXCLUSIVE — Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Wednesday, urging him to reopen the federal government so that all services for military veterans can resume with funding.

“I respectfully ask that you act swiftly to vote in favor of the clean continuing resolution and end the shutdown,” Collins wrote to Schumer in the letter obtained by the Washington Examiner. “Reopening the Government would reaffirm that our Nation’s duty to Veterans transcends party divisions and political stalemates.”

The Trump administration’s plea comes on the 22nd day of the government shutdown, as Senate Democrats continue to oppose the stopgap funding measure previously passed by House Republicans. There appears to be no resolution in sight three weeks into the funding lapse, while Republicans and Democrats keep blaming the other side for failing to reopen the government.

The VA has managed to keep most of its core services going with 97% of its workforce since the shutdown started this month, but the department is starting to feel the pressure.

Collins said more than 35,000 VA employees so far have been furloughed or forced to work without pay. Additionally, he said the funding lapse has suspended transition program assistance and education call centers, among other vital services.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins testifies during the House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Yuri Gripas)

All VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and vet centers remain open, and veterans’ benefits will continue to be issued, according to the VA Contingency Planning webpage. Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support are also active. However, VA career counseling programs have ceased operations.

“The uncertainty this shutdown creates threatens to erode the trust of America’s more than 17 million Veterans who may question the Government’s commitment to those who have served,” Collins wrote.

The letter names several veteran service groups, including the American Legion, that oppose the shutdown and reiterates their calls for Congress to reopen the government.

“In public statements, these organizations warned that extending funding lapses undermine Veterans’ confidence in the Government, strain access to benefits and caregiver programs, delay claims processing, and disrupt counseling, education, and outreach services,” the VA secretary said. “Representing millions of Veterans, these advocates emphasize that political gridlock must never come at the expense of those who answered the Nation’s call to serve.”

Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) requested a meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to negotiate a deal regarding their healthcare demands. Trump rejected their request, saying he would meet with them whenever the government reopens.

TOP HOUSE GOP APPROPRIATOR CONCEDES CONGRESS WILL NEED NEW SPENDING DEAL

The letter comes as the Senate prepared to vote on the House GOP’s funding bill for the 12th time on Wednesday. The bill, which would fund the government through Nov. 21, needs 60 votes to break the filibuster. Most Democrats have consistently voted against the funding measure. As a result, the VA and other federal agencies will continue to feel the strain from the lack of funding.

“I ask that you uphold your oath to the Constitution and commitment to ensure every Veteran receives the support they earned,” Collins concluded.

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