Leo Shane

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah, look, this is a small number in comparison to the entire VA workforce. VA has about 480,000 employees, so it's not necessarily something that is widespread. But we still don't really have a handle on who these folks are. VA's press release, as you said, says they're not mission-critical folks.

Yeah, look, this is a small number in comparison to the entire VA workforce. VA has about 480,000 employees, so it's not necessarily something that is widespread. But we still don't really have a handle on who these folks are. VA's press release, as you said, says they're not mission-critical folks.

But I've already gotten calls from a few sources saying that at least one employee from the Veterans Crisis line was laid off. That it's someone who was not in a position where they're answering calls of suicidal veterans, but they are providing support services. So we just don't know exactly what these cuts are and who they are, how deep they'll get into veteran services.

But I've already gotten calls from a few sources saying that at least one employee from the Veterans Crisis line was laid off. That it's someone who was not in a position where they're answering calls of suicidal veterans, but they are providing support services. So we just don't know exactly what these cuts are and who they are, how deep they'll get into veteran services.

Yeah, I think there's just a lot of confusion right now. And even some folks that should be exempt, their supervisors aren't sure if they should be processing, if they should be bringing in new folks, exactly what the problem should, you know, how to deal with this issue. So I think... Maybe in a few weeks, there'll be some clarity.

Yeah, I think there's just a lot of confusion right now. And even some folks that should be exempt, their supervisors aren't sure if they should be processing, if they should be bringing in new folks, exactly what the problem should, you know, how to deal with this issue. So I think... Maybe in a few weeks, there'll be some clarity.

Maybe there will be some idea that these folks are exempt and that they'll start filling these positions. But at least for now, it just feels like chaos. It feels like a lot of folks don't know, will I be on board? Is my job gone? Is this anything we can do?

Maybe there will be some idea that these folks are exempt and that they'll start filling these positions. But at least for now, it just feels like chaos. It feels like a lot of folks don't know, will I be on board? Is my job gone? Is this anything we can do?

Yeah, look, lots of concerns. Lots of concerns about that from the veterans community. Now, VA has been clear. They have said there's one employee from the Department of Government Efficiency that is already working with VA, that they're only looking at contracts. They're not looking at sensitive veterans data. They have tried to react to that and to put out there. But...

Yeah, look, lots of concerns. Lots of concerns about that from the veterans community. Now, VA has been clear. They have said there's one employee from the Department of Government Efficiency that is already working with VA, that they're only looking at contracts. They're not looking at sensitive veterans data. They have tried to react to that and to put out there. But...

You've seen what's happened with some of the allegations in other departments, other agencies. You know, there's just a worry that anything that is being done by the Department of Government Efficiency, is that going to be the extent? Could that very easily go into some of these, as you said, these sensitive personal medical data, benefits data, things like that? Folks just aren't sure.

You've seen what's happened with some of the allegations in other departments, other agencies. You know, there's just a worry that anything that is being done by the Department of Government Efficiency, is that going to be the extent? Could that very easily go into some of these, as you said, these sensitive personal medical data, benefits data, things like that? Folks just aren't sure.

So I think, you know, I think VA has tried to stamp that out. But what I'm hearing from the veterans community is we're watching closely. We're really worried about what might happen next.

So I think, you know, I think VA has tried to stamp that out. But what I'm hearing from the veterans community is we're watching closely. We're really worried about what might happen next.

I appreciate it. There's a lot to write right now, so we will keep at it.

I appreciate it. There's a lot to write right now, so we will keep at it.