The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Wednesday paused an effort to terminate hundreds of contracts after pressure from Democrat lawmakers, according to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
The major reversal, which came a day after VA Secretary Doug Collins publicly touted the cancellation of up to 875 contracts in a video posted to social media, was relayed in an email to agency staff.
“VA Leadership is reconsidering previous guidance,” the email states, as reported by The Washington Post. The missive ordered the effort halted and that “further contract reviews will be conducted to arrive at a new final decision.”
In a statement to The Hill, an agency spokesperson confirmed the agency’s contract review, which “is ongoing and no final decisions have been made.”
“We’re reviewing VA’s various contracts, and we will be canceling many focusing on non-mission critical things like PowerPoint slides, executive support, and coaching,” they said. “We will not be eliminating any benefits or services to Veterans or VA beneficiaries, and there will be no negative impact to VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries. We are always going to take care of Veterans at VA. Period.”
