Jan. 5, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: In a recent post, Ben Cline, our representative in Congress, announced that the House had passed the National Defense Authorization Act which included a 4% pay raise for active duty military personnel. In that post he pledged to “work to ensure our men and women in uniform have the support they need.”
I personally believe he could and should be doing more to support both our active duty personnel and those who have retired or been wounded in combat.
One of the primary reasons for annual pay increases is to cover inflation, which averaged between 2 and 3% last year. So the real dollar increase in pay was between 1 and 2%, not really very much.
If he really is committed to his pledge of support, he should also be actively working to address what has been occurring within the Veterans Health Administration. The VA reduced its workforce by 30,000 employees in fiscal year 2025. These cuts came after VA Secretary Doug Collins backed away from a plan to slash 15 percent of that agency’s workforce through mass firings.
According to numerous sources, they are now planning to eliminate 35,000 additional health care positions, including doctors, nurses and support staff. Employees warn that this retraction will add pressure to an already stretched veterans’ health care system.
Quality health care has been a primary way for this country to support our veterans, many of whom have risked their lives in defense of our country, including those who have been wounded in combat.
I urge all of you, and especially my fellow veterans, to contact Representative Cline and ask him to more proactively support those who have served our country in war and peace. BILL BLATTER Rockbridge County
