Congresswoman Emily Randall Demands Answers Following Alarming Decision by VA Secretary

Tacoma, WA - Following Secretary Douglas Collins' decision to terminate collective bargaining agreements for the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Congresswoman Emily Randall (WA-06) met with veterans and sent a letter demanding answers on their behalf.

The letter responds to Secretary Collins' appalling decision amid troubling workforce statistics showing net losses of over 8,700 veteran-facing employees this fiscal year – reversing the previous administration's addition of 8,700 employees in the same time frame. The departures include over 2,129 registered nurses, 1,283 medical support assistants, 751 physicians, and 1,294 veteran claim examiners.

Rep. Randall represents Washington's 6th Congressional District, home to over 73,000 veterans and nearly 16,000 active service members. “The termination of collective bargaining agreements for the vast majority of VA workers will accelerate departures and deter prospective workers from choosing the VA as an employer,” she warned.

"Secretary Collins claimed his changes wouldn't impact veteran care, but the numbers tell a different story," said Rep. Randall. "Veterans served our country and continue to contribute to their communities. Yet this administration continues to fail our veterans."

In her meeting with veterans from across her district, Rep. Randall heard concerns about transportation barriers for rural veterans and the need for VA modernization. “Instead of addressing the very real issues facing our veterans, the Trump administration is creating new problems by gutting the VA workforce,” she said.

She requested detailed data on employee departures from January 1 through August 7, 2025, for VA facilities in her district, plus data on cancelled appointments due to staffing shortages.

The letter, part of coordinated oversight by House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats, requires Secretary Collins to respond by August 29th. Read the full letter here.

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