Trump's Attack on Veterans

1. Trumps Actions: VA Worker Cuts

• Trump has ordered The Department of Veterans Affairs to lay off essential workers. This could affect 1,900 employees at the G.V. (Sonny Montgomery) Jackson VA Medical Center and 248 employees at the Jackson Regional Office, where benefits are processed. (Source: Jackson VA Medical Center, Congressional Research Services) (VA Jackson Regional Office)

 2. Impact on MS02: Delayed Benefits and Reduced Access to Service

• Where employees matter, Trump’s layoffs at the VA will have a domino effect where we will see an increase in the number of people being unemployed, and a larger shortage of nurses, a negative effect on the local economy and individual households, and a reduction in staffing needs to serve veterans.
• Where services matter, Trump’s layoffs at the VA will affect hospital wait times, medical professionals being on hand, fewer administrators to respond with patient issues, fewer claims being processed, and fewer housekeeping personnel, food service personnel, and other key positions.
• Where veterans matter, they will face challenges in accessing essential services like housing assistance-medical care-and help with benefits, job training, mental health services, transportation, leaving them vulnerable to financial and personal hardships, strains on veteran’s families.  American Veterans have served our country, and we should be serving them not causing them harm.  Some Veterans will be caught on both sides of Trump’s harmful actions – as employees and as clients.

3. Redirecting Services for Affected Constituents

• Veterans that are affected by Trumps layoffs are encouraged to contact their nearest VA clinic, the Jackson VA Regional Office at (800) 827-1000 or the G.V. (Sonny Montgomery) Jackson VA Medical Center at (601) 362-4471 for questions and help.
• Veterans may also call my Bolton office at (601) 866-9003, if they are unable to get help when contacting a VA facility.