Democrats Condemn VA Secretary Over False Claims in Nurse Killing Case
Democratic lawmakers fiercely criticised Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during a congressional hearing on Wednesday for repeating the Trump administration's disputed claims regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse. Pretti was shot ten times by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis and had been labelled a 'terrorist' by administration figures.
Heated Exchange Over Pretti's Death
Representative Mark Takano, a California Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, directly challenged Collins. "Are you going to 'correct your cabinet colleagues when they called him a terrorist?'" Takano demanded. The Secretary declined to provide an answer, maintaining his position of limited comment due to an ongoing investigation.
The confrontation intensified when Illinois Democrat Delia Ramirez accused Collins of peddling "some of the same trash" as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who had described Pretti as a domestic terrorist. With a large image of Pretti displayed behind her, Ramirez pressed Collins: "Would you call for Secretary Noem to resign, given her execution of a VA employee?" Collins responded tersely, "I have said all on this issue that I'm going to say."
Broader Context of VA Restructuring
The hearing was primarily convened to discuss Collins's testimony on a plan to significantly restructure the VA, which operates the largest integrated hospital system in the United States, serving nine million veterans each year. Critics argue that Collins is advancing efforts to privatise the VA, pointing to a recent $1 trillion, 10-year contract posted by the agency that invites private insurance companies to bid on providing healthcare to veterans.
This move coincides with federal records showing the VA has lost over 30,000 employees, including thousands of doctors, nurses, and other critical healthcare providers during the second Trump administration. A VA report submitted to Congress in January revealed the closure of 1,000 hospital and nursing home beds nationwide last fiscal year, citing challenges in recruiting and retaining essential staff.
Contentious Debate on Staffing and Salaries
When Takano questioned whether Collins would consider offering substantial signing bonuses to recruit VA staff, similar to those provided to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the discussion descended into a shouting match. Collins retorted, "Quit yelling at me!" and argued for congressional authorisation to increase doctors' pay.
Collins defended the administration's approach, stating, "It's not a reduction of force. It's not diminished care. It's about brothers and sisters in arms taking care of each other." However, the Elizabeth Dole Act, signed by President Joe Biden in January 2025, already grants the Secretary legal authority to raise salary caps for up to 300 doctors annually.
Republican Concerns and Legal Scrutiny
While Republican lawmakers generally supported the administration, some expressed unease. Committee Chairman Mike Bost, an Illinois Republican, questioned whether the VA might circumvent statutory requirements by implementing changes before submitting a detailed reorganisation plan to Congress. "If VA begins the implementation before Congress receives the detailed plan, how does VA ensure it is not effectively circumventing that statute?" Bost asked. Collins asserted, "Because I follow the law, Mr Chairman."
Additional Focus on Deported Veterans
Ramirez also interrogated Collins on the issue of deported veterans, highlighting Democratic concerns over the rising number of non-citizen veterans arrested and deported by immigration authorities. When asked whether deported veterans continue to receive entitled benefits, Collins appeared unprepared, responding vaguely about legal status and benefit delivery mechanisms.
Ramirez concluded by declaring the committee could not "trust anything that is coming from your office," accusing Collins of indifference to Pretti's shooting and a lack of "commitment to integrity," alleging he disseminates "lies, half-truths, and misinformation."
The hearing underscored deep partisan divisions, with Democrats relentlessly pressing Collins on accountability and transparency, while Republicans focused on administrative restructuring and legal compliance, leaving the VA's future direction intensely contested.
