PAUL A. GOSAR, D.D.S.
Ninth District, Arizona
2057 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2315
WWW.GOSAR.HOUSE.GOV
April 28, 2025
Mr. Al Bell
11982 W Lone Tree Trail
Peoria, AZ 85383-4511
Dear Mr. Bell,
Thank you for contacting me about cuts to the Veterans Affairs Agency (VA) staff . I appreciate your thoughts on this issue and welcome the opportunity to respond.
America’s brave men and women in uniform are arguably our nation’s greatest assets. They sacrifice their comforts and time with their families and risk their lives-in order to protect the freedoms of their fellow countrymen. Their unrelenting sacrifice and sense of duty to their homeland are virtues that must be held in the highest regard. Accordingly, our veterans deserve the finest medical care our country can provide. I am committed to working on behalf of all veterans so that they receive the benefits and care they have earned.
The VA Chief of Staff, Christopher Syrek, informed officials at the agency that it had an objective to reduce employees to 2019 staffing levels. This is a response to Biden’s dramatic expansion of the federal bureaucracy during his tenure in the White House. While the number of staff may be reduced, this does not mean that benefits will be cut or the quality of care will be compromised. In fact, VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that “things need to change,” but emphasized that the workforce reductions would not result in a reduction of veterans’ care and benefits.
The VA Chief of Staff, Christopher Syrek, informed officials at the agency that it had an objective to reduce employees to 2019 staffing levels. This is a response to Biden’s dramatic expansion of the federal bureaucracy during his tenure in the White House. While the number of staff may be reduced, this does not mean that benefits will be cut or the quality of care will be compromised. In fact, VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that “things need to change,” but emphasized that the workforce reductions would not result in a reduction of veterans’ care and benefits.
I am greatly optimistic about continued collaboration with Secretary Collins to further the Trump administration’s priority to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in all agencies and continue the fight to ensure funds are distributed to those who most need and deserve them, such as our heroic veterans. However, as your elected Representative, I will keep your thoughtful letter in mind as Congress considers legislation relating to veterans.
Again, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns. It is a pleasure and honor to serve Arizona as part of its Congressional Delegation. To receive the latest legislative updates and news you can sign up for my e newsletter by visiting my website at www.gosar.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.
Member of Congress
PG/CS
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