Ranking Member Takano Delivers Opening Remarks at Full Committee Hearing on VA Accountability
Press Contact
Daniel Santa Cruz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Full Committee Hearing entitled, "Building an Accountable VA: Applying Lessons Learned to Drive Future Success."
Click here to watch Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks
Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks as prepared:
Thank you, Chairman Bost.
You and I have served together on this Committee for more than 8 years now. While we may have our differences from time to time, and while there are certain issues on which we will never see eye-to-eye, one thing I have appreciated about working with you is that whenever possible, we have done our best to find common ground.
I think one of the most fundamental things we agree on is our obligation to hold VA accountable for achieving its sacred mission of caring for and honoring our nation’s veterans, and their families, caregivers, and survivors.
The last four years were busy and productive ones for this Committee. We saw 36 bills enacted, including legislation that will:
- Address the effects of toxic exposure,
- Improve veterans’ mental health and reduce suicide,
- Strengthen the delivery of healthcare and benefits to women veterans,
- Support veterans experiencing housing insecurity, and
- Strengthen VA’s IT modernization efforts and cybersecurity.
Dr. Elnahal, Mr. Frueh, and Mr. Quinn— you hold a tremendous amount of responsibility. We know you and Secretary McDonough are facing many challenges as VA strives to meet its mission.
One such challenge—a substantial one, to be sure—will be implementing the Honoring our PACT Act, the landmark legislation I championed that finally recognizes the effects of toxic exposure as a cost of war.
Because of the PACT Act, more than 3.5 million veterans are newly eligible for VA healthcare and disability benefits—the most significant VA eligibility expansion in decades.
Like the VA witnesses, this Committee also holds a tremendous amount of responsibility.
We must conduct rigorous oversight to ensure the department faithfully implements new legislation like the PACT Act, while also holding VA accountable for efficiently and effectively delivering all other healthcare and benefits veterans have earned.
Fortunately, we have with us today two of our nation’s foremost experts in accountability: VA’s Inspector General, Mr. Michael Missal, and Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, of the Government Accountability Office.
Together, they bring to the witness table at least 80 years of collective experience in conducting independent, nonpartisan oversight and investigations.
As such, they will be able to speak extremely knowledgeably about what it takes to ensure accountability at VA; the extent to which the Department is successfully meeting its mission; and what, if anything, Congress can do to support improved accountability across VA.
It is clear from their testimony that both Inspector General Missal and Comptroller General Dodaro believe strong, stable leadership is the foundation upon which accountability is built.
Having served on this Committee since my first year in Congress, I could not agree more.
Mr. Missal, Mr. Dodaro, Chairman Bost, and I have all been in our current roles since the Obama administration and have witnessed numerous transitions in VA leadership during our tenure.
I am sure today’s hearing will provide many opportunities for us to examine the negative effects of leadership instability on VA’s programs.
In addition, I anticipate today’s hearing will provide an opportunity to examine other major management challenges at VA—including persistent staffing shortages, antiquated information technology, and aging infrastructure—and the extent to which VA is equipped to address them.
I look forward to engaging with our witnesses this afternoon, and to beginning the work ahead of our Committee this Congress.
Thank you, Chairman Bost, I yield back.
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