Staff Reports
In the latest kerfuffle brought to us by The Guardian, it seems that the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) is in the crosshairs for, wait for it, ensuring that its employees have the right to work in the country. The Guardian, ever eager to find scandals where there aren’t any, claims the V.A. is building a database of non-citizen employees and sharing it with federal buddies like I.C.E. Apparently, checking if people are legally allowed to work is now headline news. Who knew?
Of course, the V.A. spokesperson dismissed this hubbub by explaining that such verifications are nothing new. Secretary Doug Collins, who might be vying for the most patient man in government, pointed out that this process is as routine as a Monday morning coffee. Remember folks, we’re talking about an agency that handles sensitive information, from personal data to medical records, and yes, they even do research. Shocking that they’d want to ensure only the right folks are accessing all that, right?
On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Congresswoman Delia Ramirez decided to stir the pot, accusing the V.A. of persecuting non-citizens who play vital roles in veteran care. Her dramatics might’ve won her an Oscar, but they skip the inconvenient truth: America should reasonably expect those handling secure data to actually, you know, be cleared to do so. It’s a pretty wild concept that government workers, especially in security-related areas, should pass a background check.
While distractions abound, real progress continues. President Trump recently signed the Medal of Honor Act into law, increasing stipends for these esteemed recipients. These heroes, some of whom have been paying out of their own pockets to spread the message of service and sacrifice, certainly deserve this support. Yet, there’s more in the pipeline, with Congress considering further legislation to boost disability benefits for veterans by a considerable amount. But don’t hold your breath; like a snail in a marathon, Congress moves slowly.
Meanwhile, in veteran housing news, the V.A. is on a mission to renovate buildings for at-risk veterans. Yet despite the snail’s pace of development, Secretary Collins asserts that the goal of zero homelessness among veterans remains. With challenging obstacles, including bureaucratic red tape in California’s projects, it’s no wonder progress isn’t as swift as one might hope. Clearly, untangling the mess they inherited from past administrations is a monumental task – but one they’re embracing with determination.
In summary, while the V.A. stays the course on significant policies and practical changes, it seems those lacking journalistic rigor continue to fish for stories. Secretary Collins, committed as ever, steers the ship through both real and imagined storms, underscoring the need for pragmatic solutions over political theater.
