Thousands of veterans gathered in Washington on Friday to rally against potential cuts to veterans services and staffing. Former Board of Veterans Appeals Chair Cheryl Mason said her work with the Trump administration should not disqualify her from a federal watchdog role. VA Secretary Doug Collins has promised to keep focus and funding on programs to help homeless vets, but community groups still worry about possible cuts. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said administration officials aren't providing basic information to Congress on looming plans for massive changes. VA and Pentagon leaders plan to review veteran transition programs to ensure separating troops are getting the support they need. Congress last year passed legislation designed to simplify the process for veterans seeking medical help outside the VA health care system. Department leaders shifted about $340 million in budget savings to outside health care accounts without lawmakers' OK. The number of overdue disability claims rose to more than 400,000 cases after COVID-19 office closures and toxic exposure benefits expansion. Upgrading a Qatar-donated 747 into a new Air Force One would take a large sum of money and years to complete, aviation experts said. The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals. Load More
