Democrats in the House and Senate introduced legislation aimed at reinstating veterans who were laid off from their jobs in the federal government by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Il) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) recently introduced the Protect Veterans Job Act in the Senate. The bill would also require the Trump administration to provide a quarterly report to Congress on the number of veterans removed from the federal workforce -- and the justification for their firing.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have fired more veterans than any Administration in our nation’s history — it is a stunningly cruel betrayal of the men and women who bravely answered the call to serve our country in uniform,” said Duckworth. “VetTheerans who choose to continue their service to our country in the federal workforce deserve our utmost gratitude, but instead this Administration has kicked thousands of our heroes to the curb and left them without a paycheck. The message of our bill is simple: Give our heroes their jobs back.”
Veterans make up more than 30 percent of the federal workforce. It is estimated that more than 6,000 veterans have been fired.
“These veterans not only stepped up to serve our country in uniform but chose to continue their public service in our federal workforce,” said Kim.
The measure is a companion to legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA). In the Senate, it is co-sponsored by Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
“As a veteran myself, I know firsthand the incredible value that veterans bring to our federal government and the essential services they provide to American families and servicemembers,” said Tran. “It is critical we protect the livelihoods of veterans who have served our country honorably and who continue to do so through civilian service.”
John Hatton, Staff Vice President of Policy and Programs at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, said the rights and options for federal employees facing termination will depend on the circumstances of the potential termination.
“Rights will depend on whether you are in the competitive service or excepted service, whether you are a probationary employee or not, whether an additional exception within these categories apply, what type of termination it is - reduction in force, termination for cause -cwhether appropriate procedures were followed given the type of termination, and what the basis was for the termination,” he said. “Options will also depend on the above, and perhaps what incentives, such as voluntary early retirement, are being utilized by your agency. Federal employees should consult with legal counsel to fully understand their rights under their specific circumstances.”
The Protect Veteran Jobs Act is endorsed by VoteVets, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AMVETS and the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.