House Dem to block VA nominees to protest DOGE cuts

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., will block President Donald Trump's nominations for top positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs, he announced Tuesday.

Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, says the move is a protest against Trump's plans to gut the VA. He stands to block some 13 of Trump's VA nominees from receiving confirmation, though VA Secretary Doug Collins and deputy secretary Paul Lawrence have already been confirmed.

"Talking to veterans, people that I served with as well as seeing some of what’s happening in Arizona, I decided that whatever tool I have to fix the situation, I’m going to use it. And this is one of the few tools I have at this point," Gallego said.

"As someone who actually has used that VA, you know I had services there done in the past. There’s no way they’re going to be able to cut 15% of the workforce, and it’s not going to impact veterans’ b...