04.06.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the statement below following the announcement by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) that it had reached a tentative contract agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"I'm very happy to hear that VA and AFGE have reached a tentative agreement on their contract. This is long-awaited good news for more than 291,000
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03.31.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), and Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member Mike Levin (D-Calif.), issued the joint statement below following the news of payment processing delays for GI bill beneficiaries.
"Any delay in GI Bill benefit distribution for our veterans is disappointing and incredibly concerning. However, we are confident VA has taken steps to quickly address the issue for those veterans who will
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03.23.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Full Committee Business Meeting to Authorize the Women Veterans Task Force.
Click here to watch Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks
Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks as prepared:Today, I am incredibly pleased that we are once again recognizing the important role women veterans have played in service to our country
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03.23.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Full Committee Oversight Hearing examining the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025.
Click here to watch Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks
Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks as prepared:Mr. Secretary, welcome. Thank you for appearing before us today. I believe that budgets
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03.22.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Ranking Member Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) issued a statement about the recent introduction of two bills, H.R. 1659, the Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization Improvement Act of 2023, and H.R. 1658, the Manage VA Act, to improve management and acquisitions practices at VA.
"While I am encouraged by President Biden's and Secretary
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03.16.23 • Press Release
Ranking Member Takano Applauds Updated VA Mission Statement to Honor All Who Served and Their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced an updated version of its 1959 mission statement today. The new mission statement is: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." This announcement follows a years-long effort championed by
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03.09.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request was released. This year’s request provides for $137.9 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) —a $3 billion increase over the enacted 2023 funding. “With today’s release of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request,
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03.08.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the House of Representatives passed four bills to support veterans, including bills to ensure veterans using the Montgomery GI bill are repaid unused contributions, improve veterans’ eligibility to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment, direct VA to initiate a pilot to identify potential cost savings from on-site medical waste treatment, and require VA to create an online portal to make it easier for veterans to request records
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03.01.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs hearing featuring the legislative presentations of The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Student Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Vietnam Veterans of
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02.28.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Full Committee Hearing entitled, "Building an Accountable VA: Applying Lessons Learned to Drive Future Success."
Click here to watch Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks
Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks as prepared:
Thank you, Chairman Bost.
You and I have served together on this Committee for more than 8 years now. While we may
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02.28.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the Disabled American Veterans' legislative presentation before the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Click here to watch Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks
Ranking Member Takano’s Remarks as prepared:Thank you Chairman Tester. It’s great being back in an open format. Are there any Californians
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02.28.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark Takano, Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, together introduced the Protect Access to Justice for Veterans Act (H.R. 1204). The bill would cap attorney fees for settlements and claims made by individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Additionally, the bill would explicitly require an
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02.08.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Republican-led House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted against an amendment requiring the Chairman to recognize that veterans and advocates face barriers to accessing Congress and that the Committee should embrace technology to allow virtual testimony. The move followed the introduction of an amendment offered by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Democratic Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), which would prioritize veterans and
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02.01.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-41) announced the Vice Ranking Member and Subcommittee assignments for the 118th Congress, following the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Democratic Caucus Organizing meeting."I welcome the leadership and enthusiasm of the newly selected Vice Ranking Member, Subcommittee Ranking Members, and Subcommittee members for the 118th Congress,” said Ranking Member
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01.26.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement welcoming the Democratic members who will serve on the Committee during the 118th Congress.“I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the Democratic members who will be serving on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for the 118th Congress,” said Ranking Member Takano. “We have a diverse group of new and returning
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01.26.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it had permanently housed over 40,000 homeless veterans in 2022 – exceeding the Department’s goal of housing 38,000 veterans in 2022.“I applaud VA, Secretary McDonough, and VA’s dedicated staff for surpassing their goal in housing veterans experiencing
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01.23.23 • Press Release
RIVERSIDE, CA – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President Biden’s nomination of Joshua Jacobs for Under Secretary for Benefits:“In the face of House Republicans’ proposed funding cuts to programs that would have a direct impact on veterans, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) needs a strong and steady hand at the helm,” said Ranking Member Takano. "In his
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01.13.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that, starting on January 17, 2023, veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis can receive no-cost emergency mental health care at VA or non-VA healthcare facilities. This new benefit is the result of Rep. Takano's COMPACT Act, which was signed into law in December of
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01.12.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced his priorities for the 118th Congress. These priorities continue to concentrate on the gains made throughout the 116th and 117th Congresses and House Democrats’ commitment to delivering results for America’s veterans.“As the new Republican Majority finds itself mired by intraparty squabbles, House Democrats are united in our commitment
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01.11.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), released the statement below following the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to waive all copays for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans:
"The Committee’s Democrats welcome VA's action waiving copays for eligible Native American and Alaska Native veterans. In the 116th Congress, Democrats – led by Rep. Gallego – recognized the high rate of service by Native
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