09.27.21 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. (September 27, 2021)— Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Mark Takano, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released new documents showing that Ike Perlmutter, Marc Sherman, and Dr. Bruce Moskowitz, associates of former President Trump known as the Mar-a-Lago Trio, violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act and attempted to exert improper influence over government employees and policies involving
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09.23.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), and fellow Committee Member, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) announced the introduction of H.R. 5317, the VA Governors Challenge Expansion Act of 2021 to help reduce veteran suicide. At yesterday's full Committee hearing examining VA's suicide research and prevention efforts, Chairman Takano spoke about the need for this legislation that will build on the incredibly
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09.22.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) gave opening remarks at the full Committee hearing entitled, "Veteran Suicide Prevention: Innovative Research and Expanded Public Health Efforts". Mental health resources are available for veterans who need them here.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks
Chairman Takano's remarks as prepared:
Today, we come together as we do every September to explicitly shine a spotlight on the
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09.20.21 • 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 in line with Chairman Takano's priorities.
"Today, the House took strong bipartisan action to support our veterans by passing Rep. Mrvan's legislation to extend critical VA programs and Rep. Luria's bill to provide a vital cost of living adjustment for veterans living with service connected disabilities and their survivors," said Chairman
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09.20.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-Ill.) along with Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) released the following statements after the House passed S. 189, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, introduced by Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Chair Elaine Luria and Ranking Member Troy
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09.20.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) made the following statements to applaud VA's new directive that will ensure LGBTQ+ veterans-including the thousands of veterans who were discharged during Don't Ask, Don't Tell-can finally access the care and benefits they've earned. This announcement comes on the tenth anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and
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09.15.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced a full Committee oversight hearing entitled, "Veteran Suicide Prevention: Innovative Research and Expanded Public Health Efforts." This critical hearing comes as part of Chairman Takano's priority to reduce veteran suicide, especially in light of the withdrawal in Afghanistan that has deeply impacted our nation's veterans. This two panel oversight hearing will give the Committee an
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09.13.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, under the leadership of Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), successfully passed legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive included in section 2002 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, S. Con. Res. 14 through the Committee. As part of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda, this measure includes $18 billion to invest in VA's aging infrastructure, its workforce, and the support
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09.13.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks at the Full Committee markup on legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive included in section 2002 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, S. Con. Res. 14. as part of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks
Chairman Takano's remarks as prepared:
Today's markup
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09.11.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement in recognition of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Mental health resources are available for veterans who need them here.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks
Chairman Takano's remarks as prepared:
20 years ago, our country was forever changed when terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field
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09.08.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after the release of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which notably showed a decrease from 2018 to 2019 in veteran suicide deaths. Mental health resources are available for veterans who need them here.
"I'm so heartened by today's data signaling that Congress' and VA's efforts to meaningfully reduce veteran
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09.08.21 • Press Release
Washington, DC. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced a Full Committee Markup on legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive included in section 2002 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, S. Con. Res. 14. This proposal includes $18 billion to invest in VA's aging infrastructure and the support structures that serve our nation's veterans as part of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda. The
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08.31.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after the United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mental health resources are available for veterans who need them here.
"After nearly 20 years of service and sacrifice in Afghanistan, our U.S. forces have officially withdrawn. I know that old wounds have reopened for many veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, as the world
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08.26.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement on the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan today, which killed and wounded U.S. servicemembers. Mental health resources are available for veterans who need them here.
"I want to express my profound grief and sympathy for all those who lost their lives during the attacks in Kabul today. My thoughts are particularly with the family and loved ones of our fallen
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08.24.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement to encourage President Biden to consider extending the deadline for U.S. Military to remain in Afghanistan to assist with evacuation efforts as veterans work to help the Afghan allies that helped them. Veterans who deployed to Afghanistan and want to help their Afghan allies attain a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) can find more information here.
"As Chairman of the
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08.19.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after joining House Committee Chairs for a meeting with President Biden to discuss the Build Back Better agenda.
"Today's meeting made it clear that we are on track to enact once-in-a-generation legislation that will better the lives of our nation's veterans and all Americans. Most VA hospitals are over 50 years old, and it is clear there are places where the
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08.05.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released two concerning reports regarding Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The first report entitled, "Improvements Still Needed in Processing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims" details issues within the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and the second, "Challenges for Military Sexual Trauma Coordinators and Culture of Safety
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08.02.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) praised VA Secretary Denis McDonough's action to begin processing disability claims for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas in the following statement. "I am pleased to see Secretary McDonough's announcement today that VA will begin processing claims for veterans
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07.28.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a Full Committee Markup and passed eight bills. This legislation will expand mental healthcare resources for Native veterans, support student veterans, improve the transition from servicemember to civilian, promote economic opportunities, and study racial disparities in VA benefits--all in line with Chairman Takano's priorities. Full text of the legislation can be found here.
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our
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07.27.21 • 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 in line with Chairman Takano's priorities. These bills will help modernize VA medical facilities and ensure opioids can be safely disposed. Rep. Allred, Rep. Miller-Meeks, and Rep. Trone introduced companion legislation in the House.
"If we're going to build back veterans' trust in VA, we have to start making serious investments in the outdated
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