The Department of Veterans Affairs has made a significant decision to reinstate approximately a dozen individuals who were previously terminated from their positions at the Veterans Crisis Line. This move comes after advocacy efforts by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who pushed for the reinstatement of these employees.
Reports indicate that over 1,000 employees were let go by the department last week, with the agency citing a cost savings of $98 million annually. At the time of the dismissals, it was noted that over 43,000 employees were exempt from being fired.
The employees who were targeted for termination were identified as probationary employees by the Office of Personnel Management. It was revealed that many of these individuals had been hired under veterans' preference guidelines, as highlighted by Senator Duckworth.
Interestingly, a significant number of the reinstated employees were not new to the Veterans Affairs system, with some having served in various roles within the US government for up to 18 years. This reinstatement decision underscores the importance of recognizing the experience and dedication of these individuals who play crucial roles in supporting our veterans.
