Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins terminated a $178,000 subscription to Politico Pro, stating the funds would be better allocated to veterans' healthcare. Collins announced the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting that his office had only recently discovered the existing contract. This action follows recent revelations about substantial federal spending on Politico subscriptions, exceeding $8 million in recent years.

Collins emphasized a renewed focus on veteran care at the VA, prioritizing customer service and efficient resource allocation. He stated the decision reflects a commitment to eliminating unnecessary expenditures and redirecting funds towards programs benefiting veterans, their families, and caregivers.

Politico's CEO and editor-in-chief responded to earlier criticism regarding government spending on subscriptions, defending the value of their services and clarifying that Politico has never received government subsidies. They asserted that Politico Pro offers valuable tools and information for navigating the complexities of the federal government to both public and private sector clients.

While speculation arose about the $8 million figure being linked to USAID, the actual amount from that agency was $44,000. Data from USAspending.gov reveals that other federal departments, including Health and Human Services, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, also held substantial Politico subscriptions.

A Politico spokesperson defended the platform, emphasizing its role in providing real-time policy and legislative tracking, ultimately promoting transparency and accountability within the government.