04.15.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Dr. Lynn Bufka, the Associate Executive Director of Practice Research and Policy at the American Psychological Association, to learn how veterans can mentally and physically take care of themselves and support their communities and at-risk veterans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As the spread and uncertainty of the pandemic has increased stress and anxiety for many veterans, Dr.
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04.14.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, following reporting in CNBC that as many as 2 million veterans could miss out on the federal stimulus payments, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) strengthened his call for U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig to automatically distribute COVID-19 stimulus checks to our most vulnerable veterans- including homeless veterans and those relying primarily on VA
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04.13.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) announced the postponement of all previously scheduled Committee hearings through May 1st, 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs has relentlessly worked to advocate for veterans and fulfill our oversight of VA's response to this crisis. However, given the continued public health risk posed by COVID-19, the Committee will
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04.08.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D- Calif.) and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chair Susie Lee (D-Nev.) released the following statement regarding VA's delay of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project. Last Friday, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the delay due to the necessary reallocation of staff to combat the COVID-19 pandemic:
"As we've said many times before, if VA is not ready, the
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04.03.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders from the House Veterans' Affairs and Ways and Means Committees today called on U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig to automatically provide the economic impact payments authorized by the CARES Act to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and to individuals who receive Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pensions. Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA)
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03.31.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe's (R-Tenn.) bipartisan Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (H.R. 6322). This key legislation- introduced last week with more than 51 cosponsors and wide VSO support- expands on language passed in S. 3503 and signed into law to further minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student veterans as schools
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03.27.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke on the House floor in favor of the Senate amendment to HR 748 "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act." 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:
Mr. Speaker,
I rise in support of S. 748 the CARES Act.
571 veterans in the VA's healthcare system
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03.23.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement regarding the Committee's ongoing efforts to protect veterans from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure VA can continue to carry out their first mission -- serving our nation's veterans -- as we confront a national emergency.
"In order to address the coronavirus pandemic, I've worked ardently to advocate for our veterans," said Chairman Mark Takano. "It is crucial that
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03.23.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) introduced the bipartisan Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 -- key legislation to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student veterans as schools and universities have taken proactive measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
"As we respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we cannot forget about our student veterans. This bill
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03.18.20 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a bipartisan letter with Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) and 25 of their Committee colleagues to Secretary Wilkie asking for answers on VA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to daily and weekly updates. It is crucial that VA is prepared to care for their first mission-- serving our nation's veterans-- even as we work to address a national emergency.
Chairman Takano and
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03.16.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) made the following statement to announce the postponement of all previously scheduled Committee hearings between March 23rd to April 3rd, 2020 to mitigate spread of COVID-19:
"Due to the public health risk posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of the House of Representatives voting schedule, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs will postpone all hearings currently scheduled
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03.13.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) made the following statement on actions the Committee is taking or has planned to protect veterans from COVID-19 and VA's ability to carry out its unique missions:
"The increase in COVID-19 cases has prompted local and state governments, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations to take actions intended to contain the outbreak among the American population.
"As the Department of Veterans Affairs
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03.13.20 • Press Release
"Due to the public health risk posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, most of House Committee on Veterans' Affairs staff are teleworking. Limiting exposure to committee staff will help ensure the mission of the Committee to serve and represent veterans across the nation - especially during this time - will continue. Please contact the office via email or call and leave a message, and the Committee will ensure you receive a prompt response from the appropriate staff member during committee
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03.12.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a Full Committee Markup passing all 17 bills on the agenda to strengthen family leave, assist homeless veterans and their dependent children through reintegration programs, expand access to contraception, streamline GI Bill processing, and improve the lives of millions of veterans.
The Committee also unanimously voted to reauthorize the Women Veterans Task Force. Under Chairwoman Julia Brownley's leadership, the Task
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03.11.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks before the joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs entitled "Joint Hearing of Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Legislative Presentation of The American Legion ."A link to the video Chairman Takano's opening statement and remarks as prepared can be found below.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks.
Chairman Takano's
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03.09.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-41), Chairman of the House Committee On Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it would halt new G.I. Bill enrollments at for-profit University of Phoenix and former Career Education Corporation
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03.04.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks before the joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs entitled "Joint Hearing of Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Legislative Presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars." A link to the video Chairman Takano's opening statement and remarks as prepared can be found below.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks
Chairman Takano's
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03.03.20 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks before the joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs entitled "Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organizations" featuring American Ex-Prisoners of War, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Student Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives of America, Military Officers Association of America, Fleet Reserve Association, and Iraq and
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02.27.20 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. -Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) delivered opening remarks before the full committee oversight hearing entitled, "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2021." A link to the video Chairman Takano's opening statement and remarks as prepared can be found below.
Full video of the Chairman's remarks
Chairman Takano's remarks as prepared:
Thank you Secretary Wilkie and your team for coming in to discuss
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02.26.20 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. -This week, the House of Representatives unanimously passed all five bipartisan bills brought to the floor by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. These bills showcase our commitment to veterans and their families by providing lease relief to Gold Star spouses and spouses of injured servicemembers; expanding legal services for homeless veterans; guaranteeing veteran-owned business can compete for VA grants; and ensuring transparency for veterans seeking higher education
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