The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, Chaired by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, held an informational hearing today, where multiple experts – including the Adjutant General of the California Military Department and the Deputy Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs – spoke with grave concern about the impact federal cuts have already had for veterans in California.

They also noted that additional proposed cuts to the VA, and the cuts to services across multiple sectors of veterans’ assistance programs, will have even broader and more devastating future impacts for veterans and their families.

“It’s clear from the testimony we heard that the careless cuts by the federal government are already creating chaos and uncertainty for veterans and their families across the country and in California. What’s worse, plans for additional cuts will cause veteran support programs to close, delays in benefits, and ultimately make it harder to be a veteran in America,” said Chair Pilar Schiavo. “After California has made so much progress to support our veterans with access to health care & mental health support, housing that’s affordable, reducing veteran homelessness and more, we cannot allow these reckless actions by the federal government to stand.”

There are over 1.5 million veterans in California, and state and federal funding supports vital programs to connect veterans with work opportunities after discharge, assist with housing affordability, provide medical care for retired vets or those with a service-related disability, and support Veterans Homes for retired vets. This network of supportive services has not only expanded in recent years to encompass additional service-related injuries and mental health lifelines, but together the programs have reduced veteran homelessness by 45% in California and increased behavioral health and substance use disorder access. Federal cuts and firings are unwinding our progress and eliminating life-saving services veterans depend on.

Michael Blecker, Board President of the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies and Executive Director Emeritus of Swords to Plowshares stated, “Federal decisions that pause funding or reduce resources threaten to unravel years of progress California has made in supporting its veterans. Programs like housing assistance, mental health services, and job placement—many of which rely on a fragile web of federal, state, and nonprofit collaboration—are now at risk. Without sustained support at both the federal and state levels, many California veteran service providers face real jeopardy and older veterans who rely on their healthcare will face life threatening situations. At a time when we are making meaningful strides in reducing veteran homelessness and expanding access to mental health care, this is no time to pull back. California’s veterans deserve stability, not uncertainty.”

Members of the committee detailed specific programs facing cuts that would hurt veterans across our state. When asked by committee members about the specific impact to the Military Department, Adjutant General Beevers said, “You reduce our readiness, you reduce our funding, you reduce the types of equipment we have, we are less ready, we are less well prepared. People will pay the price. Because my soldiers, my airmen, they’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done, but that might be a day slower and then lives are impacted. I would worry more about the people of the state than I would our organization.”

Additional panels discussed the proposed cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal) that would impact Veteran Homes that rely on Medicare reimbursement, not to mention the over 10% of veterans who rely in-part Medicare and 40% of those who rely exclusively on Medicare for health care. The committee also discussed the impact already felt by the firing of 2,400 VA staff has had on services and what the proposed 83,000 additional layoffs at the VA would do to critical veteran benefit access. Speaking during the hearing about the current situation his organization faces, U.S. VETS Executive Director Robert Stohr said, “I’m the only site of the 13 other sites that doesn’t depend on federal money, but our other sites now impact me and my work because of the fear of losing the money or it being reduced, and we are in a hiring freeze, we are reducing salaries, and potentially reducing staff, and taking away some of our other benefits. So it is a very frightening time. Fortunately with my opportunity to work and now receive some of the money from the Cal Veteran Health Initiative it is my plan to continue the work, and I know it will make a difference, it does make a difference.”

Commenting on today’s hearing, fellow committee member Assemblymember Juan Carrillo shared, “Today’s informational hearing highlighted the serious consequences of proposed federal cuts to veteran benefits, which pose a direct threat to the critical services relied upon by the hundreds of thousands of veterans in my district and across California. These cuts risk reversing years of progress in providing essential healthcare, housing, and mental health support for our veterans. The experts who testified made it clear that the effects of these cuts are already being felt, and there are deep concerns about the long-term impact on veterans’ access to vital services. As legislators, we must stand up for those who have bravely served our country and ensure they continue to receive the support they have earned and deserve.”

Regarding next steps, Assemblywoman Schiavo closed the hearing by stating, “To those who bravely protected and served our country, and to those who love them, we are here today to say: we have your back. In the next few months, we will be hearing bills in this committee to provide tax relief, make housing more affordable, expand education and job opportunities, and extend services. In contrast to how veterans are being disrespected and disregarded by Washington DC, California is here to say we are open for business to protect veterans. Instead of going backwards, we are building upon our progress and you have my commitment to fight to fulfill the promise we’ve made to serve those who served our country.”