Rep. Shontel Brown calls the move "a shameful assault" on VA employees, while the department claims it will improve veteran services and accountability.

VA Secretary Doug Collins said the decision to end the labor contracts of most of its workers follows an executive order from Donald Trump in March.

Newsweek contacted the VA for comment via email outside regular working hours. According to the VA, the decision follows a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump that eliminated collective bargaining rights for many federal employees.