Dexter, Takano, VA Committee Democrats Demand Answers on Trump’s VA Hiring Freeze

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), and Democrats on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led an effort to ensure Trump does not undermine veterans’ access to health care and benefits. 

One of Trump’s first actions as president was to stop all hiring at federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Right now, the VA has over 40,000 unfilled positions. Trump’s executive order leaves our veterans in limbo and makes it harder for VA employees to do their jobs.   

“I am already hearing from VA providers in Oregon who cannot fathom why Trump would stop the VA from hiring the providers our veterans need. It just means our veterans won’t receive the care they deserve. It’s that simple—and that cruel,” said Congresswoman Dexter.  

 “The Trump White House continues to forget about veterans and the impacts these terrible policies will have on them. No one at the White House even stopped to consider that freezing hiring for veterans’ healthcare providers or veterans claims processers might be a bad idea. So much for a ‘veteran first’ agenda,” said Congressman Takano. 

The full text of the letter is below.   

Dear Mr. Hunter:  

Immediately upon taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) freezing all hiring across the executive branch, including at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Unsurprisingly, the Trump Administration reopened the same old playbook with regard to its plans to erode our civil institutions by attacking civil servants, but what is disappointing is that it was done without any regard for the harmful effects it would have on veterans and their access to care and benefits. At his confirmation hearing, Congressman Doug Collins did not have answers about how the federal hiring freeze ordered by President Trump will impact veterans receiving benefits and their healthcare at VA, so we write to you to request this information since you are charged with implementing these EOs.  

We have reviewed the EO authorizing the hiring freeze, along with your “Hiring Freeze Guidance” Memorandum to Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Other Key Officials, dated January 21, 2025. However, we have numerous questions about the immediate and ongoing effects of these actions.  

We request VA provide answers to the following questions and ensure the Committee is fully briefed on implementation of this, and other EOs issued by President Trump on January 20, 2025:  

1. Please provide complete and unredacted copies of all guidance and memoranda issued to VA leadership and/or staff regarding the hiring freeze. 
2. Is VA subject to the hiring freeze ordered by President Trump on January 20, 2025? Does the hiring freeze apply to all positions at VA, including those in the Veterans Health Administration (clinical and non-clinical, including trainees), Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and the Board of Veterans Appeals? If not, which occupations are exempt?  
3. Will all current and future vacant positions determined to fall within the public safety exemption remain open on USAJOBS.govuntil the position is filled, regardless of geographic location?  
4. Will hiring for vacant positions that are determined to fall within the public safety exemption require additional approvals and/or justification before the hiring process can begin? If so, whose approval is required?   
5. Will VA request further exemptions from the hiring freeze from the Office of Personnel Management? If so, what will be the nature of those exemption requests and for what occupation(s) will VA request exemption(s)? 
6. Please provide a comprehensive list of all job offers that have already been or will be rescinded due to the hiring freeze, including the date of rescission, job title, grade level and pay band, and location. Please specify how many of these job offers were made to candidates who are veterans or disabled veterans being hired under a hiring preference. How many job offers were rescinded for existing VA employees seeking new positions in the Department? 
7. How does VA interpret the edict in the President’s EO stating, “Moreover, nothing in this memorandum shall adversely impact the provision of …. Veterans’ benefits.” Which VA functions are covered by this exemption, and which are not? Please provide any and all documentation to support this interpretation.   

We ask that you respond to these questions no later than February 7, 2025. Additionally, we request that you provide a briefing to Committee staff no later than February 11, 2025.