WEST CHESTER, PA — State Representative Chris Pielli, D-Chester, joined local veterans on Friday, March 14, at a rally held at the historic Chester County Courthouse to oppose proposed federal job cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The event was in response to a memo from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that outlined plans to reduce the federal VA workforce by as many as 80,000 positions.
Rep. Pielli emphasized the significant consequences such cuts would have on the Coatesville VA Medical Center, a critical resource in the region that employs nearly 1,200 workers and serves thousands of veterans. He warned that such reductions would drastically increase delays in veterans’ services.
“Right now, veterans are waiting an average of six to nine months for VA claims decisions. That’s too long. With these proposed job cuts, these wait times will increase to nearly a year or more. That’s unacceptable,” he said. Pielli also noted that, since the start of the year, 2,400 VA employees have already been laid off, resulting in week-long backlogs for medication requests and disrupted supply chains.
Pielli, an Army veteran, passionately criticized the driving forces behind the proposal, asserting, “This isn’t a business. This isn’t about profit margins. This is about people. True American patriots who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, if necessary, who now need our help.”
He further reaffirmed his commitment to standing with veterans, stressing the constitutional oath he and others have taken to protect the nation and its citizens.
The rally served as a call to action against the planned cuts, spotlighting the vital role of the Department of Veterans Affairs in supporting those who have served. Pielli and his supporters are urging federal officials to reconsider the layoffs, highlighting the long-term impact on veterans’ welfare and the integrity of services they rely on. Protecting the VA workforce, Pielli stated, is essential to ensuring the nation honors its commitment to those who have served in uniform.
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