U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith questioned Veteran Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins regarding the Trump administration’s plans to address infrastructure backlogs and delayed access to care for veterans in Mississippi and across the nation. The discussion took place during a Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, which reviewed the FY2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Hyde-Smith highlighted the challenges faced by veterans from rural areas in Mississippi, emphasizing their need for quality care upon returning home. She expressed concerns about shortfalls in VA State Home Construction Grant programs, noting that only 10 out of 184 projects on a national priority list were approved for funding in 2024.
“Many of these delayed projects involve the basic repairs as well as some critical upgrades that are truly critical, things that directly affect the quality and safety of our veterans and the care that you’re so well aware of,” Hyde-Smith told Collins. “So how does your administration plan to address the department’s growing infrastructure needs given the reality of limited construction funding?”
Collins acknowledged the persistent backlog and indicated that bureaucratic hurdles and funding limitations contribute to ongoing issues. He urged Congress to assist in resolving these problems.
“The big thing, and I would love to have both sides of the aisle help on this, we really need to go back and take a look at how we’re doing long-term construction inside the VA,” Collins said.
Hyde-Smith also addressed common complaints from veterans regarding long wait times for appointments and bureaucratic obstacles when accessing care and benefits.
“You and I both are so aware of the long wait times for appointments… But despite the record levels of funding for the VA in recent years many of these frustrations still remain,” she stated.
Collins reported progress in reducing disability claims backlog by 25 percent since taking office, after an increase during the Biden administration. He emphasized efforts to enhance departmental effectiveness through community care networks outside the VA.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen a move away from community care… I believe VA care is VA care, no matter where we’re paying the bill at,” Collins said.
Collins defended efforts to reform personnel strategies within the VA while maintaining essential healthcare services for veterans.
“We are going to maintain mission-essential jobs like doctors, nurses, and claims processors; and reduce administrator, advisor, and middle manager posts,” he testified.
