Led by Meeting Member Harvey Epstein, US Sen. Chuck Schumer, US Rep. Jerry Nadler, and state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, the demonstration drew dozens of legislators, VA staff, and labor leaders demanding the plan be deserted. They condemned the administration’s hole assurances that veterans’ advantages wouldn’t be affected.
Picture courtesy of Meeting Member Harvey Epstein’s workplace
Anger and urgency once more stuffed the air exterior Manhattan’s Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus on Sunday as lawmakers, veterans, and union leaders rallied in opposition to the Trump Administration’s plan to slash 80,000 Division of Veterans Affairs jobs.
Led by Meeting Member Harvey Epstein, US Sen. Chuck Schumer, US Rep. Jerry Nadler, and state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, the demonstration drew dozens of legislators, VA staff, and labor leaders demanding the plan be deserted. They condemned the administration’s hole assurances that veterans’ advantages wouldn’t be affected.
The proposed cuts would intestine a workforce the place veterans make up over 25%, immediately harming these the VA is supposed to serve. With greater than 138,000 veterans calling New York Metropolis residence, audio system warned the implications could be devastating and rapid.
“Firing over 80,000 VA workers, many of whom are veterans themselves, will undoubtedly hurt the healthcare and benefits for 138,000 veterans in New York City. This is not how our veterans should be treated– it’s not only unacceptable, it’s un-American,” stated Schumer. “Our nation told our veterans we would take care of them if they put their lives and health on the line to protect our freedoms, and the Trump administration is breaking that promise.”
Nadler didn’t mince phrases concerning the stakes for native veterans and VA staff.
“By slashing 80,000 jobs at the VA, Donald Trump is compromising the health and safety of our veterans and dishonoring their service and sacrifice to our nation,” stated Nadler. “The Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus has been a vital source of care for the thousands of veterans here in Manhattan and across the New York metropolitan area. Any cuts will be catastrophic for veterans across the City and the thousands of public servants who support them.”
Amongst these rallying was Cheryl Jones, president of AFGE Native 862 and a 25-year VA veteran, who vowed to battle again.
“Eliminating 80,000 employees, many of whom were hired to provide critical services to our veterans, is a slap in the face to that promise. I will not stay silent. I will continue to fight for employee rights and stand strong in support of excellent veteran care services. Our veterans deserve nothing less, and neither do the employees who serve,” stated Jones.
Veterans advocate Joe Bello, of NY Metro Vets, echoed the decision to motion, warning that the cuts would depart veterans stranded.
“Veterans earned their benefits through service and deserve care that’s reliable, accessible, and provided by people who understand their needs. The administration should not cut the very programs and staff that support those who’ve served,” stated Bello.
