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The Department of Veterans Affairs said the federal government shutdown has forced nearly 37,000 employees to be furloughed or work without pay.

The department’s medical centers, outpatient clinics and Vet Centers remain open and are operating normally during the shutdown because of advanced appropriations from Congress, the agency said.

"The Democrats’ government shutdown is limiting services for veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things are only going to get worse as time goes on," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. "It’s time for Democrats to stop using the suffering of Americans as political leverage to give free health care to illegal immigrants."

SCHUMER'S SHUTDOWN IS LEAVING OUR TROOPS AND THEIR

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