WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has confirmed it will reduce its workforce by 10,000 employees by the end of calendar year 2025 through a combination of attrition and layoffs.

• Scale of Reduction – The VA plans to eliminate 10,000 positions, which constitutes approximately 2.2% of its total workforce of over 450,000.
• Stated Rationale – Officials cite the need for a “strategic reshaping” of the workforce following a massive hiring surge funded by the PACT Act, aiming to align staffing with current budget realities.
• Targeted Positions – The cuts are focused on administrative, overhead, and non-clinical roles, with the VA stating that direct veteran healthcare services will not be impacted.

This move, known in government terms as a “Reduction in Force” (RIF), comes after a period of unprecedented growth for the agency. Understanding the policy decisions and budgetary pressures that led to this point is key to assessing its potential impact on one of the government’s largest departments.

What’s Driving the Workforce Reduction?

The VA’s decision to shrink its workforce is a direct consequence of its recent expansion. The PACT Act of 2022, which broadened healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, created a surge in claims and a corresponding need for staff. In response, the VA hired aggressively, adding nearly 90,000 new employees since mid-2021 to manage the increased workload.

According to VA officials, that phase of rapid hiring is over. The current RIF is framed as a strategic adjustment to bring staffing levels back to a more sustainable, long-term trajectory. With the initial surge of PACT Act-related work being managed, the department is now focusing on operational efficiency and aligning its personnel count with its fiscal year 2025 budget. The reduction will be achieved through a mix of hiring freezes, voluntary separations, and targeted layoffs where necessary.

Which Jobs Are Being Cut?

A central question for veterans and lawmakers is which specific roles will be eliminated. The VA has been clear that the cuts are not aimed at frontline medical professionals. In a memo to employees, VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal stated the focus is on “overhead and administration” roles to streamline operations.

This means positions in areas like human resources, administration, and other programmatic jobs not directly involved in patient care are the primary targets. The goal, according to the department, is to reduce bureaucratic overhead without diminishing the quality or availability of healthcare services for the nation’s veterans. However, federal employee unions, such as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), have expressed concern that even cuts to support staff could indirectly affect the delivery of care.

The Political and Practical Implications

Any reduction in force at the VA is a politically sensitive event. The department’s performance is a perennial focus for Congress, and any perception of declining services can have significant political repercussions. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, along with influential Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), are closely monitoring the implementation of the RIF.

The key challenge for VA leadership is to execute these cuts without creating new backlogs or service delays. While removing 10,000 administrative positions may seem logical on paper, the practical effect depends on how integral those roles were to the overall system. The coming months will test the VA’s assertion that it can become leaner without compromising its core mission, a process that will be scrutinized by policymakers and the veterans it serves.