MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) is calling for transparency and accountability after reports of layoffs at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in Alabama have disrupted services for veterans and left workers without jobs. The layoffs, reportedly tied to cost-cutting measures implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have sparked concerns about the impact on veterans’ care and the lack of oversight in federal workforce reductions.
In a letter addressed to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Figures requested a detailed list of employees affected by the layoffs by March 7 and called for a meeting with the department by March 14 to discuss the situation. Figures’ demands follow reports that VA facilities in Montgomery, Mobile, and Tuskegee have been hit particularly hard, leading to increased wait times and canceled appointments for veterans seeking care.
“This is an issue of accountability,” Figures wrote in his letter. “We owe it to our veterans to ensure they receive uninterrupted, high-quality care, and we owe it to the workers who serve them to be transparent about decisions that affect their livelihoods.”
The layoffs are reportedly part of a broader effort by DOGE, led by Elon Musk, to streamline government operations and reduce spending. While DOGE has framed these cuts as necessary for efficiency, critics argue that essential services are being sacrificed in the process. According to reports from local media outlets, some of the affected programs include specialized care for veterans exposed to toxic substances and other critical health services.
Figures’ actions stand out at a time when many lawmakers appear reluctant to challenge federal agencies or demand accountability for decisions that directly affect their constituents. By pushing for answers from the VA, Figures is taking a stand not only for Alabama’s veterans but also for the workers who have dedicated their careers to serving them.
The congressman’s efforts come amid growing frustration among advocates for veterans’ rights and labor groups who say that recent federal policies have prioritized cost-cutting over compassion.
As the deadline approaches for Secretary Collins to respond, all eyes will be on whether the VA provides the transparency Figures is demanding—and whether Congress as a whole will follow his lead in holding federal agencies accountable for their actions.