Press Releases

09.13.21 • Press Release

Chairs Takano, Tester, Wasserman Schultz, & Heinrich Applaud Successful Committee Passage of the Build Back Better Agenda

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 … Read More

09.13.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Delivers Opening Remarks at Markup on Build Back Better Agenda

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 … Read More

09.11.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

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 … Read More

09.08.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano: “Congress’ and VA’s efforts to meaningfully reduce veteran suicide are moving in the right direction”

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 … Read More

09.08.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Announces Committee Markup on the Build Back Better Agenda

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 … Read More

08.31.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement on Completed U.S. Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan

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 … Read More

08.26.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Kabul

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 … Read More

08.24.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Encourages President Biden to Extend Deadline for Troops in Afghanistan as Veterans Work to Help Afghan Allies

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 … Read More

08.19.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement Following White House Meeting on the Build Back Better Agenda

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 … Read More

08.05.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement on Concerning VA OIG Reports Regarding Military Sexual Trauma

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 … Read More

08.02.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Praises New VA Rule on Toxic Exposure, Urges Comprehensive Legislative Solution

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 … Read More

07.28.21 • Press Release

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Passes 8 Bills For Veterans

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 … Read More

07.27.21 • Press Release

House Passes 2 Bipartisan Bills for Veterans

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 … Read More

07.26.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Applauds VA Move to Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Care Providers

WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) praised VA Secretary McDonough's decision to require COVID-19 vaccines for all Title 38 VA providers-- including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries, and chiropractors-- in the following statement. "I firmly support Secretary McDonough's decision to require COVID-19 vaccines for all Title 38 VA providers. … Read More

07.21.21 • Press Release

Takano, Bost, & Mrvan Introduce the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act

WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chairman Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.) introduced the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act after today's Subcommittee hearing. Following two major Inspector General reports detailing significant issues with VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project, this legislation will force VA to account for all … Read More

07.21.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Praises Settlement Agreement between VA and AFGE

WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) praised the settlement agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the labor union representing the largest number of the agency's employees, in the following statement. "This agreement is a major step toward re-establishing stronger worker rights and protections for all VA employees. I applaud AFGE and VA for finding common … Read More

07.21.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Announces Hearing on the Recruitment of Veterans by Domestic Violent Extremist Groups

WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced a hearing entitled, "Domestic Violent Extremist Groups and the Recruitment of Veterans." The hearing, based on the Committee's investigation that started last fall, will focus on understanding who domestic violent extremist groups like the Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, Proud Boys, and others are, why they target veterans, and how the Committee can help these veterans. The hearing will take … Read More

07.08.21 • Press Release

Chairman Mrvan, Takano Announce Committee Hearing on VA’s EHRM Progress Following IG Reports

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chairman Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.) and Full Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statements after the release of two Inspector General reports on VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Program entitled "Unreliable Information Technology Infrastructure Cost Estimates for the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program" and "Training Deficiencies with … Read More

06.24.21 • Press Release

Chairman Takano’s Bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act Passes through Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C —Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after his landmark legislation, H.R. 3967, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 or the Honoring our PACT Act passed in the Full Committee Markup. With 25 original cosponsors—including all HVAC Democrats-- and the support of 9 Veteran Service Organizations, this critical bipartisan … Read More

06.24.21 • Press Release

House Passes Rep. Brownley’s Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act

WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 239, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, introduced by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Julia Brownley. This legislation passed through the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs with bipartisan support and passed the House unanimously last Congress, but failed to pass on the House floor last week after the Family Research Council mobilized the Freedom Caucus against the bill. … Read More

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