Press Releases

06.05.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano, Subcommittee Chair Lee Statement on GAO’s Recommendations for VA’s Electronic Health Record Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D- Calif.) and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chair Susie Lee (D-Nev.) released the following statements regarding GAO's new report entitled, "Electronic Health Records: Ongoing Stakeholder Involvement Needed in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Modernization Effort." This report was prepared at the request of the Committee to examine VA's process as they configure the new Cerner Electronic Health … Read More

06.04.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Speaks with CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to Discuss Veterans’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

RIVERSIDE, CA-- This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), about VA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as veterans' mental health, toxic exposure, and VA's push to add its exclusionary and outdated motto to all VA cemeteries. See the full conversation with Jeremy Butler here. View their full conversation here "As you know, veteran suicide prevention is my … Read More

06.02.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Speaks with National Guard Association of the United States to Discuss Impact On National Guard During Pandemic

RIVERSIDE, CA - This week, House Committee of Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with retired Brigadier General J. Roy Robinson, President of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), about how National Guard members are serving throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and how Congress can better support them. They also discussed Representative Mike Levin's Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act (H.R. 5870) that would be an important step towards achieving parity … Read More

06.01.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Speaks with Johns Hopkins University’s Dr. Josh Sharfstein to Discuss Contact Tracing and How Veterans Can Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

RIVERSIDE, CA - Last week, House Committee of Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Dr. Josh Sharfstein, Vice Dean of Public Health and Community Engagement at Johns Hopkins University, to discuss their innovative contact tracing training to slow the spread of COVID-19 and how veterans can get involved. This training is especially critical as veteran unemployment climbed to nearly 12 percent last month-veterans are already uniquely skilled to step up in times of crisis … Read More

05.29.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano, Tri-Caucus Call On VA to Provide Demographic Data For Minority Veterans Affected By COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie requesting additional data on the impact of COVID-19 on minority veterans and veterans of color. Chairman Takano was joined by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Joaquin Castro, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu, and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass in sending the letter. The Members … Read More

05.28.20 • Press Release

House Unanimously Passes Three Bipartisan Bills for Veterans Despite COVID-19 Pandemic

Washington, D.C. -Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed all three bipartisan bills brought to the floor by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee has continued to work virtually to ensure we can provide high quality care and benefits to our nation's veterans. The bills passed today showcase our commitment to veterans and their families by increasing veterans' disability compensation, allocating funds for medical facility … Read More

05.27.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano to VA: Fully and Fairly Implement Paid Sick Leave & Telework Policies During Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a letter sent to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie urging VA to fully and fairly implement paid sick leave and telework policies and procedures after hearing that some VA employees had been unfairly denied these key benefits that keep them safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, at least one VA employee denied paid sick leave died after exposure to COVID-19 … Read More

05.22.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano on Memorial Day 2020: “It is our duty to mark this moment despite the uncertainty of our time.”

RIVERSIDE, CA - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement in recognition of Memorial Day 2020. "As the nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial Day will look a little different this year-but it remains our solemn duty to honor our fallen heroes and mark this moment despite the uncertainty of our time. Throughout this crisis, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has worked diligently to ensure VA is fully … Read More

05.15.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Statement on Passage of H. Res 965

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the statement below following the historic passage of H. Res. 965 which allows Committee's to conduct remote proceedings during the public health emergency due to COVID-19: "Despite working virtually to ensure the safety of our witnesses, stakeholders, and staff, our Committee has relentlessly worked to advocate for veterans and fulfill our oversight of VA's response to this crisis. We led … Read More

05.15.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Delivers Remarks In Support of The Heroes Act: “Congress Needs to Respond to Crisis with the Courageousness it Demands”

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke on the House floor in favor of the Heroes 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: The public health emergency our country is facing requires immediate, bold action. That's why I rise today in support of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act. The Heroes Act will provide … Read More

05.15.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with WWP’s Jose Ramos to Discuss Supporting Women Veterans, Access to Healthcare During the COVID-19 Crisis

RIVERSIDE, CA - This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project's (WWP) Vice President of Government and Community Relations, to discuss the unique challenges faced by women veterans during the pandemic and veterans' ability to access healthcare while unemployed. See the full conversation with the Wounded Warrior Project here. Watch the full conversation here. "I cherish and value the partnership that the … Read More

05.14.20 • Press Release

Veterans' Affairs Committee Leaders Call for GAO Oversight of Medical Supply Chain and VA COVID-19 Relief Funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) sent a joint letter with Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the use and management of the emergency relief funds that were appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following passage of the CARES Act. In their … Read More

05.12.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano: “The COVID-19 pandemic requires immediate, bold action.”

RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, after introducing the Heroes Act, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement regarding the Committee’s new legislation to aid veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure VA can continue to serve our nation’s veterans as we address this public health emergency.  “As veteran unemployment skyrockets to 12 percent and VA steps up to serve both our nation’s veterans and … Read More

05.08.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Responds to Rise in Veteran Unemployment to Nearly 12 Percent

RIVERSIDE, CA - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement after the announcement that April's veteran unemployment numbers rose to nearly twelve percent. "The COVID-19 crisis has seriously impacted our country's economy and laid bare that our veterans are not immune to this financial instability. As unemployment numbers have skyrocketed nationwide, veterans have been hit hard as well, and this month veteran unemployment soared … Read More

05.08.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with VVA National President John Rowan to Discuss How Vietnam Veterans are Staying Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic

RIVERSIDE, CA -This week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with John Rowan, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President, to discuss how their members are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing practices-- especially in light of Vietnam veterans being at increased risk of contracting the novel coronavirus as a result of many veterans having pre-existing conditions. See the full conversation with the Vietnam Veterans of … Read More

05.07.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with DAV Executive Director Randy Reese to Discuss Caregiver Benefits, VA Staffing

RIVERSIDE, CA - Last week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Randy Reese, Executive Director of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), to discuss how their members are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about caregiver benefits and VA staffing. See the full conversation with the Disabled American Veterans here. Watch the full conversation here. "Thankfully I'm hearing that VA has been doing outreach on mental health, and I am … Read More

05.06.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with PVA Executive Director Carl Blake to Discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on At-Risk Veterans

RIVERSIDE, CA - Last week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Carl Blake, Paralyzed Veterans of America's (PVA) Executive Director, to discuss concerns regarding access to caregivers and VA's tightened restrictions for routine care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. See the full conversation with the Paralyzed Veterans of America here. Watch the full conversation here. "I want to thank your membership for the leadership they've shown during the … Read More

05.05.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with VFW Executive Director B.J. Lawrence to Discuss the Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Veterans

RIVERSIDE, CA - Last week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Vincent "B.J." Lawrence, the Veterans of Foreign Wars' (VFW) Executive Director, to discuss how their members are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns regarding this crisis' economic impact on veterans and their families. See the full conversation with the Veterans of Foreign Wars here. Watch the full conversation here. "The VFW's been a strong partner in anticipating the … Read More

05.04.20 • Press Release

Chairman Takano Meets with American Legion Executive Director Chanin Nuntavong to Discuss VA Staffing, Community Care

RIVERSIDE, CA - Last week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) spoke with Chanin Nuntavong, the American Legion's Executive Director, to discuss how their members are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns regarding VA staffing and access to care as the country reopens. See the full conversation with the American Legion here. Watch the full conversation here. "Let me just say Chanin--I appreciate the partnership that we have with the American … Read More

05.01.20 • Press Release

Congress to DoD: Support Protections For Servicemembers During Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D- Calif.), Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee Military Personnel Subcommittee, led a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Mark Esper regarding the unfair financial … Read More

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