Sen. Tammy Duckworth 'Outraged' By More Staff Cuts Tied To Veterans Crisis Line
Source: HUFFPOST
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said she found out Wednesday that more people were fired from their jobs tied to the Veterans Crisis Line, a week after she pushed VA Secretary Doug Collins to reinstate veterans' jobs with the hotline that were cut as part of Trump's purge of federal employees.
"I’m outraged to learn that more VCL workers were caught up in the latest firings -- and worse yet, that Secretary Collins continues to double down and deny that he ever inflicted any damage on the department at all," Duckworth said in a statement. "Well, that’s a lie."
Duckworth, an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, said she's heard from several VA employees, some who are veterans themselves, who were terminated despite playing "pivotal roles" in making sure the crisis hotline is accessible to veterans "in their darkest moments." These employees did not work directly on the crisis hotline, but helped to support its operations.
"Claiming that only those who answer the phones are essential is an insult to the service and commitment to our heroes of so many who ensure that someone is ready to listen and help in a moment of crisis," she said.
A VA spokesperson told HuffPost that the agency hadn't laid off anyone who worked on the crisis hotline -- a technicality, given that Duckworth is referring to VA employees being fired who played supporting roles for the hotline.
"No Veterans Crisis Line responders have been laid off," said the agency spokesperson. "Veteran care, benefits and beneficiaries will not be affected by VA’s personnel moves, which will allow us to redirect $98 million per year back toward health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries."
By: Jennifer Bendery
Next Article Previous Article