Vets Slam Democrats for Blocking Wounded Warrior’s VA Nomination on Memorial Day

Veterans’ groups and VA Secretary Doug Collins are slamming Senate Democrats for stalling critical nominations, including Sam Brown, a wounded warrior tapped to oversee memorial affairs. Brown, an Army captain scarred over a third of his body from an IED blast in Afghanistan, faces a procedural blockade from Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego. The duo cites concerns over mass firings and lack of transparency from the VA, but critics argue their holdup disrupts essential services for veterans.

A Hero’s Nomination Stalled
Sam Brown’s story is one of sacrifice—burned in a Humvee explosion, he’s now nominated to manage veterans’ cemeteries and 100,000 annual burial ceremonies. Yet, as Memorial Day looms, his confirmation languishes. A coalition of nearly two dozen veterans’ organizations penned a letter to Senate VA Committee leaders, urging swift action. They even offered to fuel late-night sessions with coffee and donuts, a cheeky nod to the Senate’s glacial pace.

Democrats’ Defense and VA’s Pushback
Blumenthal and Gallego insist their objections aren’t personal. They’re pressing for accountability, claiming VA Secretary Collins is dodging oversight and prioritizing political appointees over fired veterans. Blumenthal, stung by Trump’s ‘Da Nang Dick’ jab, pointed to a tight 10-9 committee vote on Brown, demanding full Senate debate. Gallego, a veteran himself, warned of care disruptions at places like Arizona’s Phoenix VA, already reeling from 800 layoffs and chronic understaffing.

Veterans Caught in the Crossfire
Collins fired back, accusing the senators of obstructing ‘combat veterans’ from serving at the VA. He vowed to reform a ‘broken bureaucracy’ despite the delays. Meanwhile, groups like Vietnam Veterans of America and the Independence Fund stress that a fully staffed VA is vital for delivering benefits and care. Recent surveys show Iraq and Afghanistan vets fear cuts could erode their hard-earned support.

As the standoff continues, the real cost falls on those who served. With Memorial Day here, the irony of delaying a war hero’s nomination to honor fallen heroes isn’t lost on anyone.