06.02.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C —Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced widespread Veteran Service Organization (VSO) support for the monumental Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 or the Honoring our PACT Act. Leaders from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), The American Legion (TAL), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Iraq
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05.27.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks before the full Committee hearing entitled, "Investing in a Better VA: Examining the Role of Infrastructure in Veterans' Access to Care and Benefits." The Committee heard from VA officials, outside experts, and VSO leaders about the American Jobs Plan and how to build back all VA's infrastructure - the physical buildings, human capital, and systems of support that serve our
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05.26.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) held a press conference to unveil the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 or Honoring our PACT Act. Chairman Takano was joined by Committee Members Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Vir.), Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Calif.), and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), advocates Jon Stewart and John Feal, and VSO leaders from the Veterans of Foreign Wars
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05.25.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chairman Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.) released the following statements after VA's Inspector General released its report entitled, "Deficiencies in Reporting Reliable Physical Infrastructure Cost Estimates for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Program".
"For the past three years, our Committee has repeatedly requested these EHRM cost
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05.20.21 • Press Release
Washington D.C. (May 20, 2021)-Today, Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney and Ranking Member James Comer; Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerald E. Connolly and Ranking Member Jody Hice; National Security Subcommittee Chairman Stephen F. Lynch and Ranking Member Glenn Grothman; House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Mike Bost; Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairman Mike Levin; and Disability Assistance and Memorial
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05.20.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced a full Committee hearing on the American Jobs Plan and how we can build back VA's infrastructure-- the physical buildings, human capital, and systems of support that serve our veterans. The full Committee hearing entitled, "Investing in a Better VA: Examining the Role of Infrastructure in Veterans' Access to Care and Benefits" will take place on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:30 PM ET with
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05.18.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C- The House of Representatives passed 10 bipartisan bills brought to the floor by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The legislation helps build equity for all veterans regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or housing status, strengthens oversight of VA and COVID-19 relief dollars, and expands mental healthcare resources for veterans, especially in rural areas. All of these bills align with Chairman Takano's commitment to build a more welcoming and equitable VA, improve
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05.12.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, the House of Representatives passed two bipartisan bills brought to the floor by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. These bills showcase the Committee's commitment to supporting women veterans and increasing access to mental healthcare resources.
"I'm so glad we could come together today to pass two bipartisan bills that will help ensure our veterans can access the care and benefits they've earned," said Chairman Takano. "I applaud Representative Underwood's
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05.07.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) interviewed Jennifer Dane, an Air Force veteran and Executive Director of the Modern Military Association of America. Ms. Dane offered important policy recommendations to provide more inclusive care and remedy past discrimination against LGBTQ veterans. As part of Chairman Takano's commitment to build a VA that is more welcoming and inclusive for all of our veterans, he will continue to hear from VSOs that
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05.07.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-Ill.) urged veterans to get the COVID-19 vaccine in a new video. For veterans seeking the vaccine from VA, please visit www.va.gov to sign up to be contacted when a vaccine is available for you.
Watch the full video here.
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05.05.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced progress on the Committee’s comprehensive legislative package to address toxic exposure at the full Committee legislative hearing. The Committee heard from Members, VSO leaders, and VA officials about 15 bills that align with the Committee’s efforts to comprehensively grant benefits and presumptions for all veterans exposed to toxic
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05.04.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a Full Committee Markup passing all 25 bills on the agenda, including legislation to build equity for all veterans, improve mental healthcare access, provide COVID-19 relief, strengthen oversight of VA, and expand economic opportunities for veterans. By passing these bills, the Committee can advance Chairman Takano's priorities to build a more welcoming VA, combat veteran suicide, improve educational opportunities, and
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05.04.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) highlighted legislation that aligns with the Committee's efforts to comprehensively grant benefits and presumptions for all veterans exposed to toxic substances-regardless of where or when they served. At Wednesday's full Committee Legislative Hearing, the Committee will discuss 15 bills and hear from Members, VSO leaders, and VA officials as it works to comprehensively address toxic exposure. Hear
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04.30.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Chairman and Ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statements after they introduced the VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021. This vital bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress
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04.30.21 • Press Release
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) interviewed Paige Jenkins, Steering Committee Chair of the Military Women's Coalition (MWC), founder of the Red Feather Ranch, and a Navy veteran. Chair Jenkins discussed the need for expanded transition programs that target women veterans and how VA can be more welcoming for all veterans-regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or gender identity. This interview is part of Chairman Takano's commitment to hear from VSOs that
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04.27.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House and Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairmen Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) are announcing coordinated, bicameral legislative hearings to consider more than 24 bills related to toxic exposure. These hearings follow the leaders' commitment to address toxic exposure in the 117thCongress and build on previous legislative accomplishments such as the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act.
In recent
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04.23.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) applauded the introduction of two new bills that align with the Committee's efforts to comprehensively grant benefits and presumptions for all veterans exposed to toxic substances-regardless of where or when they served. Rep. Chris Pappas' (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan PFAS Registry Act, which would direct VA to create a national database for servicemembers and veterans with health concerns due to
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04.22.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) spoke at a closed-door full Committee roundtable about the role of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) in eliminating sexual harassment at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Ten veterans groups that represent a cross-section of the veteran community, including both Congressionally-chartered VSOs and grassroots organizations representing women and minority veterans, participated in the
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04.21.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced H.Res. 337, a resolution to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VA training psychologists and designate this week-- April 19 through April 23, 2021-- as ''VA Psychology Recognition Week.'' Following the introduction, Chairman Takano, Association of VA Psychology Leaders (AVAPL) President Kenneth R. Jones, PhD, and American Psychological Association (APA) President Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP
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04.20.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) interviewed Liza Narciso, an Army veteran and President of the National Association of State Women Veteran Coordinators(NASWVC). President Narciso provided insights into the challenges facing women veterans and ways to improve care and create a more inclusive VA in addition to NASWVC's work to improve VA healthcare for women veterans, address veteran homelessness, and combat veteran suicide. As part of
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