Mark Takano

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5603) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish protections for a member of the Armed Forces who leaves a course of education, paid for with certain educational assistance, to perform certain service, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan), my good friend and valued member of the Committee on Veteran Affairs, who serves on the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3730, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3730) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, H.R. 3730, sponsored by Mr. Sablan and Mrs. Radewagen, which would create an advisory committee on veterans living in outlying areas and freely associated States, including island territories. The advisory committee would have a variety of members, including experts from the covered geographic areas. The Secretary will be able to consult regularly with, and receive the input of, this advisory committee regarding the administration of benefits and VA programs. Once established, the advisory committee will report annually on the needs of the covered veterans and provide much-needed recommendations. This bipartisan legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Minority Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5516, the VITAL Assessment Act, as amended, which is sponsored by our newest House Veterans' Affairs Committee member, Congressman Ellzey. This bill requires that VA submit a report on the Department's Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership, or VITAL program. VITAL is designed to support student veterans in their academic settings, and it is a key component of VA's work to ensure that veterans thrive after completing their military service. VITAL is a longtime program at VA, and this report will provide a timely opportunity to examine outcomes for student veterans and academic institutions supported by VA. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5516, the VITAL Assessment Act, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or BRAVE Act, as amended. This bill increases access to information regarding registered apprenticeships for veterans. Registered apprenticeships are an important component of our workforce system. They provide on-the-job training with an employer that teaches workers the practical and theoretical skills they need to succeed in a field, all while earning a paycheck. The Department of Labor validates registered apprenticeships to ensure that participants are receiving high-quality instruction and training. At the end of their program, apprentices receive a national, industry-recognized credential in their field. This bill would require the Department of Labor to improve access to registered apprenticeships for transitioning servicemembers and veterans by maintaining a searchable website that connects them with employer programs that are endorsed by VSOs and other veteran-specific groups. Registered apprenticeships provide a unique pathway into in-demand, high-quality jobs, and the BRAVE Act will make it easier for veterans to learn and earn when training for their careers. This legislation is supported by numerous VSOs, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. I thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to improve employability for veterans through apprenticeships. I also thank Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee, who has agreed to forgo committee action on H.R. 147, as amended, so that it can be considered on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, November 15, 2021. Hon. Adam Smith, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Smith: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act or the BRAVE Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services under House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 147 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of Committee on Armed Services conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Mark Takano, Chairman.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross), my good friend and the author of this legislation. Congressman Norcross serves on the House Armed Services Committee; Education and Labor Committee; and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 147, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 894) to identify and refer members of the Armed Forces with a health care occupation who are separating from the Armed Forces for potential employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 894.

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 today in support of Senator Braun and Senator Hassan's S. 894, the Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act. We all know that there are many ways for our military personnel to continue to serve after they separate from Active Duty. This bill provides a potential pathway for those servicemembers in healthcare occupations to move into careers with VA. It couldn't come at a better time because we know VA has significant hiring needs to ensure it can continue providing high-quality, timely care to our veterans. S. 894 directs VA to consult with the Department of Defense and establish a program for identifying separating servicemembers who are interested in healthcare positions at VA. VA would then refer interested servicemembers to VA recruiters for consideration of open positions in the specialty and geographic locations veterans prefer. I see this as a win-win situation for veterans and for VA, and exactly the kind of ideal employment warm handoff we all talk about. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 894, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing this important piece of legislation, S. 894, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I, again, ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 1031, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. 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 S. 1095.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1095, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act. This bill codifies an important protection for beneficiaries using the Department of Veterans Affairs Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, or DEA. Through the DEA program, VA helps cover the cost of a beneficiary's school or job training. This bill requires that public institutions of higher learning only charge in-State tuition for those utilizing the DEA program. There are currently over 150,000 beneficiaries utilizing the DEA program. These beneficiaries are the survivors of brave women and men who died serving our country and the dependents of 100 percent service- connected disabled veterans. Currently, this benefit equates to about $11,000 a year for most students. With the increasing costs of higher education, $11,000 does not cover all of a beneficiary's tuition costs at most schools, including public institutions where the student beneficiary would be considered out-of-State. S. 1095 would provide parity for students using the DEA program with the Forever GI Bill program by requiring public institutions to charge in-State tuition for student veterans. This legislation has the strong endorsement of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to ensure the survivors and dependents of those who bravely serve our country are not hindered by tuition costs when pursuing their education. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 1095, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, 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, in closing, and before asking all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5671, I truly believe that passing the SAVE LIVES Act and passing this legislation today, H.R. 5671 constitutes one of the best moments that I have had as chairman where all four corners of the Congress came together. Ranking Member Bost, I know walked a very delicate balance to bring his Members together, but I appreciate his persuasive abilities with his side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage that we do this more, and I have no doubt that we really did save lives. And I have no doubt today that we are going to save lives because of this effort before us. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. 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. 5671, as amended.