HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – The mass firing of federal workers is now underway; it was ordered by the Trump administration in an attempt to cut down the deficit. Among the cuts were more than 1,000 employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Although the cuts were non-union probationary employees across the country, it could still trickle down and affect the thousands of veterans who call Hampton Roads home. 

The cuts included non-union probationary employees. Those are workers who had either less than one year in their current competitive service appointment or less than two in an expected service appointment. 

Veterans Affairs deems more than 130 occupations ineligible for Trump’s deferred resignation plan

The VA said this move will save the department more than $98 million per year, which will allow more spending on resources such as health care, benefits and services.

However, these layoffs could still affect more than 9 million veterans who could see the impact of these changes due to the lifeline care the VA provides. 

Senator Tim Kaine addressed the reports of the layoffs, saying his message to federal workers is to “keep doing what you are doing.”

“This is a tough situation because you have a president who doesn't value the federal workforce. But your work is valued. I value you; the people that you're helping every day value you,” said Sen. Kaine. 

An article from NBC News said many VA hospitals have experienced staffing shortages, according to a report from the VA Inspector General. Many of those employees fear the hiring freezes or the layoffs could make the shortage worse.

“So it's going to be longer for us to get in, to get our care that we deserve. And we earned,” said Eric Mallet, former state commander for the State of Virginia with the VFW Post 4809.

Mallet is a veteran who served in the Navy for more than 22 years. He said hearing the news was disappointing. 

Locally, it could affect more than 120,000 military veterans who live on the south side, giving them access to a VA clinic in Chesapeake that is slated to open in April. 

“The last few years, they've been understaffed, so now they're more understaffed, and it's hurting the veterans and the care that they're going to be getting that they deserved and they earned fighting for this country. So it just made it worse at this time,” said Mallet.

Sen. Kaine says he is willing to help. 

“Keep serving your fellow Americans wherever you work. And if you have a challenge or a problem, reach out. Let me know. And we will try to clear out obstacles if we can,” said Sen. Kaine.