Nearly 37,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees are missing paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has left thousands of workers in financial uncertainty. The shutdown, initiated on October 1, has disrupted operations across the VA’s nationwide network, including regional benefits offices and cemeteries.
VA Secretary Doug Collins criticized the situation, stating, “The Democrats’ government shutdown is limiting services for Veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things are only going to get worse as time goes on.” The disruption has led to furloughs or unpaid work for a significant portion of the workforce, despite some appropriations remaining in place at the shutdown’s start.
The impact extends beyond pay issues, with over one million veterans facing service backlogs. Dozens of regional benefits offices have been closed, and more than 150 VA cemeteries are shuttered, except for burials. Programs such as the GI Bill Hotline and Veteran Readiness and Employment initiative—already grappling with existing delays—have been halted. Meanwhile, medical care centers and outpatient clinics remain operational due to prior congressional funding.
Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have blamed Republicans for blocking an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies in the funding bill. However, the VA leadership has accused Senate Democrats of repeatedly obstructing GOP spending measures. Collins urged an end to the stalemate, saying, “It’s time for Democrats to stop using the suffering of Americans as political leverage to give free health care to illegal immigrants. I call on them to open the government and enable VA to provide the complete and comprehensive services America’s Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors have earned.”
