MADISON, Wis. — One year ago today, Derrick Van Orden called for VA staffing cuts at a congressional hearing, asking Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, “So when are we going to cut the VA?” Van Orden then told Collins that he hoped cuts would be implemented at the VA. Since then, the Trump administration greenlit DOGE – a department Van Orden had previously tried to leverage to get a disabled veteran fired – to cut over 30,000 positions from the VA, which has led to severe staffing shortages at VA hospitals throughout Wisconsin and caused an increase in delays and appointment cancellations.
“Veterans across Wisconsin now suffer the consequences for the cuts Van Orden called for exactly one year ago. Derrick Van Orden latches on to whatever policy stance the Trump administration has at any given time without giving a second thought to how it will impact people in his district,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Rachel La Due. “While he is busy figuring out a new way to cover his tracks for his unpopular policies on the campaign trail, veterans in Wisconsin’s third congressional district struggle to navigate a backlogged healthcare system and delay medical treatment.”At a campaign event last week, Derrick Van Orden stood alongside VA Secretary Doug Collins as he encouraged VA facilities to hire new staff — the exact opposite recommendation Van Orden called for exactly a year ago.
