Maine Independent Senator Angus King and Democratic Congressman Jared Golden are demanding an explanation for recent mass layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The two lawmakers sent a letter to VA Secretary Douglas Collins calling for a commitment to veterans’ health and well-being after 2,400 VA employee layoffs last month, including seven at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta.

King and Golden noted termination emails commonly explained the decision was due to the employee’s “poor performance,” although the same individuals consistently received exemplary reviews throughout their careers at the VA.

The letter calls on the VA to explain what steps were taken to ensure layoffs would not impact veterans’ care, what processes were used to determine “poor performance” after positive internal reviews, and whether additional layoffs are expected.

Golden is a members of the House Armed Services Committee while King is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Their letter did not mention the Trump administration, which has focused on downsizing federal agencies and reducing the federal workforce.