Senator Mark Kelly Champions Veteran Rights Against Trump Administration's Proposed VA Cuts in Capitol Hill Press Conference

By Steve Wilson

Published on May 08, 2025

Amidst growing concerns over the Trump administration's approach to veteran affairs, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a decorated Navy combat veteran, made his stance clear this week. Standing alongside advocacy group Common Defense and fellow veterans, Kelly voiced opposition at a Capitol Hill press conference to proposed budget cuts within the Department of Veterans Affairs and potential layoffs of a significant number of veteran federal employees.

"You shouldn’t have to come to DC to fight for your jobs, for your healthcare, for basic dignity," Kelly asserted in a sentiment captured by his office's press release. Experiencing the sacrifices of military service firsthand has shaped Kelly's view on this issue. "But right now, this administration—the Trump administration—has turned its back on veterans," he remarked, emphasizing what he perceives as a betrayal of national duty.

The senator highlighted the stories of constituents from his home state of Arizona who are becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of the VA and the critical services it provides. He relayed a poignant anecdote about a veteran who faced job termination and had to seek minimum wage work to support his family, which he shared during the press conference. Kelly explained, "This is because this guy—who was a disabled veteran had three children, and he needed to figure out how to put food on the table." Notably, he reported that terminations were communicated by none other than entrepreneur Elon Musk, whom Kelly singled out for his lack of concern for the affected individuals.

The importance of the VA's role in supporting veterans after service was another key point in Kelly's address. "So, instead of weakening it, our government should be working on ways to improve these services," he said, arguing against the administration's strategy of reducing the VA workforce. "This full-scale, full-on attack on the VA is putting lives at risk, so we have to fight back, and we have to fight back together as a team focused on a vision," proclaimed Kelly.

Reaffirming his commitment to uphold the government's promise to veterans, Kelly concluded his remarks by stating, "This country made a promise to veterans that, after your service, you would be treated with respect, and you would get the support that you have earned. And that promise didn’t come with an expiration date," as provided by his Senate office.

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https://www.concernedveteransoh.org/post/senator-mark-kelly-champions-veteran-rights-against-trump-administration-s-proposed-va-cuts-in-capit