02.18.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Chris Pappas (D-NH) released the following statements praising VA's decision to pause debt collection owed to both the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through September 30th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The economic turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic has left our country reeling-now, as
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02.11.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Committee passed its portion of the American Rescue Plan, the A.N.S. to Committee Print-Providing for reconciliation to S. Con. Res. 5, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 from Chairman Takano.
"As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am painfully aware of the toll this pandemic has taken on our nation's
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02.11.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) announced the Vice Chair and Subcommittee assignments for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs during the 117th Congress following the Democratic Caucus Organizing meeting.
The full list of Vice Chair, Subcommittee Chairs, and Subcommittee assignments can be found below:
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Vice Chair:
Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49)
Subcommittee on Health:
Chair: Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26)
Members:
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02.10.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) released the following statement announcing the Democratic members who will serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress.
"I am pleased to welcome the members who will make up the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117thCongress," said Chairman Takano. "With members representing nearly 750,000 veterans and even five veteran members themselves, our Committee members will bring a deep understanding of
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02.08.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after Denis McDonough was confirmed by the Senate as the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"I am so thrilled to welcome our new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough," said Chairman Takano. "I know that Secretary McDonough will be the right person to lead VA and ensure that all veterans-- regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender
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02.05.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), who led the Women Veterans Task Force during the 116th Congress, released the following statements after the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center (VAMC) Director Michael Heimall welcomed Committee staff this week to discuss ongoing efforts to address sexual harassment and assault at VA facilities.
"As we've known for some time, VA provides world class
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02.03.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke on the House floor in favor of H.Con.Res. 11, FY 2021 Budget Resolution to ensure the federal government provides direct relief to the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic. See a video of Chairman Takano's floor speech here and his remarks as prepared below.
Video of Chairman Takano's remarks.
Chairman Takano's remarks as prepared:
As Chairman of the House Committee on
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02.02.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acting Under Secretary for Health Dr. Richard Stone, and U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Acting Chief Yogananda D. Pittman jointly announced the deployment of critical resources through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration to ensure those impacted by the events of January 6th can access support and mental health resources needed during this
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01.28.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) issued the following statements regarding news that the National Guard servicemembers guarding the Capitol will qualify for critical GI Bill benefits.
"While I am pleased that the National Guard members protecting our Capitol will be able to earn GI Bill benefits for their service, this confusion was another poignant reminder that too often servicemembers taking on
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01.26.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) penned an op-ed in Military Times laying out his priorities for the 117th Congress and his hopes for a VA under Secretary-designate Denis McDonough.
The last four years have been tumultuous for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In that time, the department responsible for serving our veterans has confronted a global pandemic, provided its Fourth Mission support to serve as our country's
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01.20.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement regarding staff changes to the Committee and the appointment of Committee Staff Director Ray Kelley as Veteran Service Organization Liaison for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate my advisor and friend, Ray Kelley, on his appointment as VSO Liaison for VA in the Biden Administration. Ray has been a tremendous support and
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01.08.21 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement due to Secretary Wilkie's silence on the insurrection at the Capitol on Wednesday-- he was the last Cabinet member to respond. Given the handling of a sexual assault allegation at a VA facility, Chairman Takano led the charge to call for Secretary Wilkie's resignation in December and was joined by the Big 6 Veteran Service Organizations and many lawmakers, including
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12.18.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the statement below following last night's VA town hall on Military Sexual Trauma (MST) which reportedly patched countless veterans into the event with little or no warning, without informed consent, leaving many traumatized.
"Despite the superior ability of clinical professionals across the Department to provide specialty care for survivors of military sexual trauma, this incident is
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12.16.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.)and Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) 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 Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statements after the House and Senate passed H.R 7105, As Amended, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of
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12.16.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C —Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement showcasing the major provisions the Committee secured for our nation’s veterans in H.R. 7105, As Amended, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. This end of year legislative package is built around Rep. Levin’s Dependable Employment
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12.10.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President-elect Biden announced he would nominate Denis McDonough to serve as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs:
"I want to congratulate Secretary-designate Denis McDonough-- President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of VA. He has a demonstrated record of solving problems. I am confident that he understands the importance of healthcare and
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12.10.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) released their report entitled, "Senior VA Officials' Response to a Veteran's Sexual Assault Allegations."
"It should not need to be said, but due to Secretary Wilkie's baseless attacks on a fellow veteran and member of my staff, let me say clearly- Andrea Goldstein is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy
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12.07.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement regarding the ongoing work of the Committee to secure key provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act on behalf of our nation's veterans.
"Even as the end of the 116th Congress approaches, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs continues to advocate for our nation's veterans and successfully secured major provisions in this year's National Defense
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12.07.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President Trump signed his landmark veteran suicide prevention legislation-the Veterans' COMPACT Act-- into law.
Watch full video statement from Chairman Takano here.
"This weekend, the President signed the Veterans' COMPACT Act into law, marking real progress in our work to reduce veteran suicide.
"This bill contains nine provisions -
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12.04.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C -House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Democratic Caucus re-elected him as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress:
"I am grateful to my Democratic colleagues for electing me to continue in my role as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress. Being Chairman of this Committee has been enormously satisfying because of what we can -
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