Ranking Member Takano Kicks Off Bipartisan, Bicameral VSO Hearings

WASHINGTON—Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-D) was joined by House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Members in welcoming veterans to Capitol Hill for the annual, bicameral, bipartisan Veterans Service Organization (VSO) hearings.

The first panel featured witnesses from Disabled American Veterans (DAV), including DAV National Commander Coleman Nee. Ranking Member Takano highlighted VA's planned reorganization of the Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA) and VA’s recent Interim Final Rule that would limit VA’s obligations to veterans whose service-connected conditions are improved by medications.

Of the Interim Final rule, Ranking Member Takano said, “The response from the veteran community has been loud and near-universal. And I agree with you. This rule cannot stand. Medication may be able to minimize the effects of injury or illness; it does not erase them. I know that the Secretary has stated that he won’t enforce the rule. Frankly, that’s not enough. Mr. Secretary, if you are listening, I call on you to rescind this rule immediately.”

Ranking Member Takano also outlined several Democratic priorities. These include his continued support of improving access to care for veterans exposed to toxins in service. He also discussed his support of key legislation, including the Major Richard Star Act, the Caring for Survivors Act, the Love Lives On Act, and the GUARD Act.

National Commander Coleman Nee’s testimony focused on DAV’s support of preserving VA and strengthening veteran and survivor benefits.

"The VA stands at a defining crossroads—one that will shape not only the institution itself, but also the nation’s enduring commitment to those who have worn its uniform,” said DAV National Commander Nee. “On one path lies the dismantling, fragmentation and gradual erosion of a system that was built to serve veterans. On the other lies a principled effort to modernize, strengthen and safeguard the VA for future generations who will answer the call to serve. This is not merely a political or bureaucratic debate. It is a moral issue. It’s a strategic issue. It’s even a national security issue.”

In opposition to privatizing VA, National Commander Nee said, “Calls to dismantle or significantly privatize VA are often framed as pragmatic solutions—offering veterans ‘choice’ by shifting care to the private sector. On the surface, this may sound reasonable. In practice, it risks hollowing out the only healthcare system in the country that is purpose-built for veterans.”

The second panel included Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Blue Star Families, National Congress of American Indians, Service Women’s Action Network, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., and Black Veterans Project.

Black Veterans Project Co-Chief Executive Director and Co-Founder Richard Brookshire warned of the impacts of VA led “anti-DEI narratives”.

“The very systems built to catalyze integration and guarantee accessibility for all veterans have been eroded for partisan political gain,” said Black Veterans Project Co-Founder Richard Brookshire. “The dignity of our nation’s veterans has become collateral damage for an anti-woke agenda that serves to distract from the rapid privatization of our nation’s largest public healthcare system... We are at a pivotal crossroads, where apathy, animus, and willful ignorance are converging. This must be met with moral clarity and conviction.”

Ranking Member Takano concluded the hearing by addressing the VSOs and veterans in attendance, saying, “Thank you, I want to thank everybody for being here today, for the veterans who served and traveled through snow, through a blizzard, for their testimony today. It is very clear we still have... a lot of work to do for our veterans when they come home.”

The next VSO hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026.

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