This social media post by John Basham was one of the main inspirations for the creation of the Unintended Effects website. The incoming administration’s freeze on federal hiring included orders to rescind employment offers. Like many others, the Basham family was caught in a terrible predicament. Additionally, the failure to fill positions, such as those at the VA hospitals, threatens the quality of care for veterans nationwide.

Encouragingly, after only a few days of vociferous pushback from legislators and veteran advocates, Military Times reports that the administration has altered its position, exempting more than 300,000 Veteran’s Administration Health jobs from the hiring freeze. This shows the real power of public pressure to steer policy. No word yet on whether Mr. Basham’s wife was among those to have their offers re-issued.