Mark Takano

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me just respond, that every day my colleagues are making threats to file a lawsuit to stop the interim final rule. Like the ranking member believes, as do many on his side of the aisle, that the interim final rule is illegal based on the 1992 law. I will remind him that in 1996, Congress authorized the VA Secretary to define the medical benefits package. So I disagree with his interpretation of this interim final rule as being illegal. Let me mention one thing further, that I have not seen any lawsuit yet filed, even though he asserted that he would seek to have this rule stayed. I am assuming that the delay in filing, since the hearing that we had, is because he is still looking for a perfect judge to hear it. In the meantime, they are highjacking this opportunity to once again blind and gag women veterans under the premise that veterans should not be allowed to know the healthcare options and benefits that are available to them. This is not only an insult to veterans but to the veterans service organizations that have endorsed and supported this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), my good friend who serves on the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 8875, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 7698.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7698, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner, a member of the Navy's first flight-training class for women, the first woman to command a naval aviation squadron, and a lifelong advocate for women's military service. The bill before us, H.R. 7698, would appropriately name the VA outpatient clinic in Ventura, California, the ``Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic.'' I thank Representative Julia Brownley, chairwoman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee's Women Veterans Task Force, for championing this effort. The VA has more than 1,200 healthcare facilities nationwide, yet as of the beginning of this Congress, just two of these facilities bore the names of women veterans. Representative Brownley's bill will begin to correct this regretful disparity. More than 2 million women veterans live in the United States today. They serve across all military branches and divisions, and they are the fastest growing group of veterans that utilize VA healthcare services. So it is fitting that we honor a trailblazing woman like Captain Mariner at one of these VA healthcare facilities. Captain Mariner had service to this country in her veins. The daughter of a World War II Navy nurse and Army pilot killed in a plane crash when she was just 3 years old, Captain Mariner grew up watching planes take off and land at the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. Captain Mariner went on to become the first woman to enroll in the aeronautics program at Purdue University in 1971, one of six initial women to earn her wings as a U.S. naval aviator in 1974, and the first woman aviator to fly a jet attack aircraft in 1975. In 1990, Captain Mariner became commander of the Navy's tactical warfare squadron at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura County. She continued in public service following her 24-year military career, teaching military history at the University of Tennessee for an additional 15 years. At Captain Mariner's funeral service in 2019, following a long battle against ovarian cancer, the Navy conducted its first flyover featuring all female pilots. This was, like the naming of the Ventura VA outpatient clinic will be, a fitting tribute to a life of service to this Nation. H.R. 7698 has letters of support from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record these three letters. The American Legion, Department of California, Sanger, CA, April 6, 2022. Rep. Julia Brownley, Washington, DC. Rep. Brownley: The American Legion Department of California is proud to support the naming of the Ventura County Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic after captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner. Since its founding in 1919, the American Legion has served veterans, service members, and communities throughout our nation. Our commitment to serving all veterans has been one of the main pillars outlining our purpose. As the United State Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to make strides in the way it supports and cares for women veterans, I believe by renaming VA facilities after brave female veterans it is a great step towards recognizing the contribution of this Nation's woman warriors. On behalf of the 80,000+ American Legion members in California we urge congress to take action to name this facility to honor this woman veteran who embodies the true essence of duty and service to our community, state, and Nation. Respectfully, Autrey B. James Jr., Department Commander, The American Legion, Department of California.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7698) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ventura, California, as the ``Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic''.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to say I appreciate the ranking member's mentioning of his daughter and the connection with today's action. I also extend my pride, and I feel his pride. We also are thankful for his daughter's service. Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley), my good friend and the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health. She is the author of H.R. 7698, a vital piece of legislation.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on S. 2771.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I support naming VA's community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, in Colonel Charles and Mrs. JoAnne Powell's honor, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the lives of Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell, both of whom served the community of San Angelo, Texas, and advocated for veterans for many years. I thank Senator John Cornyn and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for putting forward this legislation, which will rename the San Antonio VA clinic in Colonel and Mrs. Powell's honor. Colonel Powell served as base commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo from 1980 to 1984. He was instrumental in helping to avoid closure of the base, which today serves as a school for thousands of servicemembers training to be cryptologists, intelligence officers, and military firefighters. Mrs. Powell also lived a life devoted to public service as district manager to four separate Members of Congress. In this role, Mrs. Powell encouraged many young men and women in the 11th Congressional District of Texas to serve in the United States military and helped numerous veterans access the VA benefits they rightfully earned. S. 2771 and its companion bill, H.R. 4328, are cosponsored by nearly 40 Members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, and the legislation has the support of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Madam Speaker, I include letters of support from these Members and organizations for the Record. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, February 10, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Moran, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: We are writing to express our support to name the Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''. Colonel Charles Powell served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and was Commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980 until retiring in 1984. Only six months after his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, he married JoAnne, who soon became a force of her own in the military and veterans' communities. Together, they settled in San Angelo for Charles's final assignment at Goodfellow AFB. The two saved Goodfellow from closure and helped the base become a technical training center. During her husband's two deployments in Vietnam and during his time at Goodfellow, JoAnne revived the Officer Wives Club and started a Christmas Bazaar program that is ongoing today. Additionally, she was an active volunteer for a program that supported MIA and POW families, the Red Cross, and various other charitable causes. Beyond these acts of service, JoAnne spent 37 years as a district staffer for four Members of Congress in the San Angelo district. She is believed to have provided casework assistance to thousands of service members and veterans and helped hundreds of district students navigate service academy selections and receive appointments. Although Charles passed away on July 2, 2020, JoAnne upheld Charles' legacy by staying active in the community, eventually being honored as a Lifetime Hero in the community for her contributions to the military community. On March 24, 2021, JoAnne Powell passed away. Throughout Charles' and JoAnne's life together, they embodied the true meaning of selflessness, patience, and perseverance. The countless hours the Powells dedicated to changing the lives of their neighbors and being a light in their community have left a lasting impact on West Texas. We would be grateful for your support of this effort and hope that the Senate and the House Committees on Veterans' Affairs will give it its prompt consideration. Sincerely, John Cornyn, United States Senator; Ted Cruz, United States Senator, August Pfluger, Member of Congress; Louie Gohmert, Member of Congress; Dan Crenshaw, Member of Congress; Van Taylor, Member of Congress; Pat Fallon, Member of Congress; Lance Gooden, Member of Congress; Jake Ellzey, Member of Congress; Lizzie Fletcher, Member of Congress. Kevin Brady, Member of Congress; Al Green, Member of Congress; Michael T. McCaul, Member of Congress; Kay Granger, Member of Congress; Ronny L. Jackson, Member of Congress; Randy K. Weber, Sr., Member of Congress; Vicente Gonzalez, Member of Congress; Veronica Escobar, Member of Congress; Pete Sessions, Member of Congress; Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of Congress. Jodey C. Arrington, Member of Congress; Joaqin Castro, Member of Congress; Chip Roy, Member of Congress; Troy E. Nehls, Member of Congress; Tony Gonzales, Member of Congress; Beth Van Duyne, Member of Congress; Roger Williams, Member of Congress; Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Member of Congress; Michael Cloud, Member of Congress; Henry Cuellar, Member of Congress. Sylvia R. Garcia, Member of Congress; Eddie Bernice Johnson, Member of Congress; John R. Carter, Member of Congress; Colin Z. Allred, Member of Congress; Marc A. Veasey, Member of Congress; Filemon Vela, Member of Congress; Lloyd Doggett, Member of Congress; Brian Babin, D.D.S., Member of Congress.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2771) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, as the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2771, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5916, as amended, the Wounded Warrior Access Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5916, as amended. Representative Aguilar's Wounded Warrior Access Act would require VA to establish and maintain a secure, internet-based website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Additionally, this bill would add a provision requiring VA to warn claimants about benefit scammers, provide a way to report potentially fraudulent activity, and provide a tool for claimants to search for accredited representation. Currently, to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits, veterans or designated representatives must submit a Freedom of Information Act, otherwise known as a FOIA, or a Privacy Act Request. Submitting this form followed by waiting for it to upload into the individual's electronic claims file, and then waiting action on the request can be very time-consuming and can negatively impact a claimant's ability to understand what records VA is evaluating and what information could better assist in a claim's positive adjudication. Establishing and maintaining a secure, internet-based website to enable a claimant or their representative to make requests related to VA claims and benefits would modernize this essential process and assist in more timely, positive claim outcomes. This bill would also add another tool in the toolbox for veterans when navigating the complexities of the claims process and will help veterans gain a little more autonomy over their claim. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5916, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8260) to amend title 38, United States Code, to shorten the timeframe for designation of benefits under Department of Veterans Affairs life insurance programs, to improve the treatment of undisbursed life insurance benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8260, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8260, as amended, the bipartisan Faster Payments to Veterans' Survivors Act, will result in important help for the surviving family members of recently deceased veterans. Families often face financial hardship when a veteran life insurance policyholder dies, making timely payment of these VA benefits is therefore essential. The VA does an admirable job of quickly paying the vast majority of beneficiaries upon the death of a loved one. Yet, in other cases, for a variety of reasons, VA is unable to determine the identity or location of a surviving spouse, child, or family member. At the end of the fiscal year 2020, the Department owed more than $150 million in undisbursed life insurance proceeds to nearly 15,000 survivors. Approximately 10 percent of this money had been owed for more than 5 years. This legislation, introduced by Representative Chris Pappas ensures that VA will make the necessary improvements to expedite these life insurance payments with a goal of disbursing all unpaid benefits within 2 years. The bill is cosponsored by more than 40 Members on both sides of the aisle, and it has the support of a half-dozen veteran service organizations, including the VFW, America Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Modern Military Association of America, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Pappas for his work and urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7939) to make permanent certain educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the case of changes to courses of education by reason of emergency situations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.