PITTSBURGH — A local veteran and lawmaker is working to learn how President Trump’s plan to freeze hiring at VA centers could impact the Pittsburgh area.
President Trump put a freeze on the hiring of Federal civilian employees on his first day back in office.
According to the White House, no new positions can be created except for military personnel of the armed forces, positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety.
That memorandum on federal hiring also said the order would not impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or Veterans’ benefits. In response, The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a memorandum providing clarification on what that would mean for veterans.
The VA said no vacant positions can be filled, and no new positions can be created except for those critical to delivering care to veterans in the Veteran Health Administration or those critical to the provision of veterans’ benefits. The VA is being asked to explain how the position relates to essential services or critical emission requirements, why a preexisting worker can not be moved to fill it, and why it needs to be filled urgently.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, VA will always do what is necessary to provide America’s Veterans with the benefits and services they have earned. The targeted hiring-freeze exemptions announced underscore that fact,” said VA Director of Media Affairs Morgan Ackley.
Deluzio, a veteran, expressed some concern over the freeze. He is worried any potential stalls in creating needed positions or an inability to fill vacancies could put veterans at risk.
“I’m gonna fight, tooth and nail, any effort to privatize or gut the VA. This country has a sacred obligation for all of us who served. Healthcare you need that you’ve earned,” Deluzio said on Friday.
Deluzio sent a letter to Donald Koenig, Director of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System to learn more about how the freeze could impact the Pittsburgh area.
Deluzio requested a reply to the letter no later than Jan. 30.
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