VIDEO: Rep. Stansbury Fights for Veterans, VA, Opposes Trump Cuts to Vital Veteran Programs

June 23, 2025
Press Release

Congresswoman joins local lawmakers for a Veterans Town Hall

ALBUQUERQUE — Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) joined New Mexico state lawmakers and community leaders for a veterans town hall to answer questions directly from veterans on issues that impact them in light of the Trump administration’s cuts to the VA, and attacks on our service members by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. 

 

The Congresswoman joined New Mexico State Representative Debbie Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), New Mexico State Senator Harold Pope Jr. (D-Albuquerque), and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Frank Smith.

Rep. Sariñana and Sen. Pope both served in the U.S. Air Force.

Watch the video here. 

“The most patriotic thing we can do is to resist,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “The most patriotic thing we can do right now is to speak out. The most patriotic thing we can do is engage in acts of resistance and supporting our communities. And the most patriotic thing we can do is continue to serve our communities, to fight for our communities, and to fight for our democracy because we will win.” 

Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed cuts aimed at what’s being labeled “wasteful” spending:

  • Over $580 million in contracts and programs have been canceled.
  • Major cuts include $1.8 billion from consulting contracts at the Defense Health Agency, $1.4 billion from cloud IT services, and $500 million from Navy business consulting.
  • Eleven contracts related to DEI, climate change, and COVID-19 were also terminated.
  • A $500 million DARPA help desk contract was cut due to duplication.
  • The Department of Defense is working with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), which has identified $800 million in additional spending to eliminate.
  • There are plans to in-source IT roles, shifting those duties to civilian staff. 

The VA started aggressive contract reviews and program cuts: 

  • Effective May 1, the VA ended the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, which had been the only available mortgage assistance tool for many at-risk veterans. This has increased the risk of foreclosure for thousands of veteran families.
  • VA has canceled 585 contracts worth $1.8 billion, redirecting about $900 million to healthcare and benefits. Most of the canceled contracts were described as non-mission critical, but some provided administrative or support services that may now fall back on already strained internal resources. 

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Issues:Veterans Affairs, Voting Rights, and Good Government