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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01.10.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, incoming Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), released the following statement congratulating Representative Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on being elected Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: “I want to congratulate Representative Mike Bost for being elected Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs,” said incoming Ranking Member Takano. “Having worked with Representative Bost during the 117th Congress when
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01.09.23 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), lead Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the House Republican majority passed its Rules package for the 118th Congress: “Today’s vote on the Rules package is proof that the new Republican majority is more than willing to renege on our country’s promise to care for our veterans,” said Congressman Takano. “Just as I warned last
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12.23.22 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Consolidated Appropriations bill, which includes an unprecedented $300 billion to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) support veterans and their families. The funding provided to VA will expand access to services for veterans and will boost oversight and accountability across the Department.“The $300 billion provided to VA in this year’s appropriations bill is demonstrative
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12.22.22 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that honors the life and service of Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson and Representative Mike Levin’s (D-Calif.) bill to extend COVID remote learning measures to other emergencies to ensure students can easily access and maintain their earned G.I. bill and other education benefits. This bill also includes Representative Lizzie Fletcher's bill to expand eligibility for disabled veterans to obtain vehicles
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12.20.22 • Press Release
RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Consolidated Appropriations bill, a bill that includes over $300 billion in funding to support veterans and their families – the largest budget ever for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These resources will expand access to services for veterans and will boost oversight and accountability across the
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12.15.22 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano’s (D-Calif.) VA Employee Fairness Act. Chairman Takano’s bill would bring parity to the federal workforce by restoring full collective bargaining rights for VA Title 38 healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, physicians, dentists, and physician assistants. “For our country to ensure that veterans receive the
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12.14.22 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the full Committee's legislative hearing on a discussion draft of Majority Whip James E. Clyburn's VA Housing Loan Forever Act, a bill that addresses historical racial inequities as a result of veterans of color being blocked from accessing their earned benefits.
Click here to watch Chairman Takano's remarks.
Chairman
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12.13.22 • Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered remarks at the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity's roundtable on Guard and Reserve parity issues.
Chairman Takano’s remarks as prepared: Thank you Chairman Levin for inviting me to participate in this roundtable discussion today on Guard and Reserve parity issues. We live in a new age of national defense where we utilize the total force
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