Ernst must choose between veterans and DOGE

I respect Republican Sen. Joni Ernst for her service as the commanding officer of a transportation company during the Iraq War. I also don’t know how an accomplished military officer got tangled up with the DOGE caucus, yet she did. She has been a DOGE cheerleader, saying, “DOGE will sweep over this city (Washington, D.C.) and forever alter the way it operates.” Indeed, task force DOGE is attempting to do that and Veterans Affairs is not exempt.

When the 2022 PACT Act passed, Ernst was on board. “Our veterans, who have sacrificed so much and continue to pay the price for their service, deserve the lifesaving benefits in this bill,” she said. “The PACT Act works to fulfill our duty to care for those who put on the uniform in the name of protecting our freedom, both past and present.”

President Biden staffed the VA to accommodate the new law by hiring some 83,000 new workers. DOGE now seeks to return staffing to 2019 levels, according to Military.com. What happens to the PACT Act if DOGE cuts the new employees hired to fulfill its commitments? Ernst must decide. Support our veterans or support DOGE.

The good things Sen. Ernst may have done are undermined by her declaration in support of DOGE. In the meanwhile, veterans may be left untreated while a diminished VA tries to care for their special needs with significantly reduced staff.

Sen. Ernst should support the VA or find another line of work.

Paul Deaton

Solon