Rep. Mike Levin, Veterans and Veterans’ Advocates Hold District Hearing on the Dangerous Impacts of Federal Cuts on Veterans’ Services and Benefits

Rep. Mike Levin, Veterans and Veterans’ Advocates Hold District Hearing on the Dangerous Impacts of Federal Cuts on Veterans’ Services and Benefits | U.S. Congressman Mike Levin Skip to content I Want to Hear from You About Your Health Care Concerns. NEW: Rep. Levin Announces New District Data Map to Showcase Federal Project Funding. Close About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Grants Applicants Commendations and Greetings Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You Español Close Search Site SEARCH About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Grants Applicants Commendations and Greetings Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You MENU Español Search Instagram Icon Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Bluesky Icon Home News Press Releases March 21, 2025 Rep. Mike Levin, Veterans and Veterans’ Advocates Hold District Hearing on the Dangerous Impacts of Federal Cuts on Veterans’ Services and Benefits Watch the full field hearing here Oceanside, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) held an in-district field hearing with veterans and veterans’ advocates at the North Coastal Live Well Center to shed light on the devastating impacts the Trump Administration’s reckless federal cuts—including plans to fire 83,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees—will have on veterans and their services and benefits in California’s 49 th District and across the country. During the hearing, veterans, advocates, and local leaders shared firsthand accounts of how these cuts threaten VA health care, the Veterans Crisis Line, critical research, and benefits that millions of veterans rely on. “The Trump Administration’s illegal, politically motivated firings are a direct attack on the brave men and women who served our country,” said Rep. Levin . “Veterans in my district and across the country are seeing delays in health care, threats to their benefits, and the gutting of critical services. The Administration’s actions are not about efficiency—they are about dismantling the VA at the expense of those who have already sacrificed so much.” Key concerns raised at the hearing included: Eroding the Federal Workforce: Veterans account for approximately one-third of the federal workforce, and DOGE has fired at least 6,000 veterans across the entire federal government. Gutting the VA: At least 2,400 VA employees have already been let go, with plans to fire 83,000 more—approximately 15% of the VA workforce. Crisis in Mental Health Care: The Veterans Crisis Line is losing staff, making it harder for struggling veterans to get help when they need it most. Losing Research : Researchers at the Veterans Health Administration play a major role in advancing basic health science. Hundreds of projects have been cut, threatening work to support veterans’ well-being. Cuts to Non-VA Benefits : Proposed funding cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and housing assistance programs are threatening homelessness and food insecurity for low-income and other veterans. Rep. Levin also highlighted legislation he is co-sponsoring to reinstate veterans who were fired without cause and to ensure VA staffing levels remain intact. In February, Rep. Levin sent a letter to VA Secretary Collins demanding that he provide a detailed accounting of all the recently dismissed employees, their roles at the agency, and the positions now left vacant. The letter also expressed concerns over the potential impacts of cuts to the VA, and advocated for the preservation of employment programs and programs that help homeless veterans access affordable housing, such as the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) programs. Rep. Levin has not received a response to the letter. “Congress must hold this Administration accountable and stop these attacks on our veterans,” Rep. Levin added. “I will use every tool available, including my seat on the House Appropriations Committee, to restore funding, demand transparency, and protect the benefits our veterans have earned.” ### Print Email Share Tweet Next Article Previous Article About Serving You News Contact Issues Privacy Policy Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Bluesky Icon