Mark Takano

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on passage of this important legislation, S. 3414, and I yield back 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. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3414) to authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2020, 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 to insert extraneous material on S. 3414.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3414, the Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2020. Each year the Department of Veterans Affairs submits an annual budget request to Congress, and then it is our job to authorize and appropriate the funding that VA needs to care for America's veterans and their families. Within that larger funding request is VA's request for funds to replace and modernize its medical facilities. This year's major construction requests total $2.27 billion, and will build a new critical care center in West Los Angeles, California; complete construction of a medical facility project in San Juan, Puerto Rico; construct a spinal cord injury center with a community living center in San Diego, California; complete flood recovery construction at the medical center in Manhattan, New York; and fully fund the medical facility replacement project in Louisville, Kentucky; as well as construct an outpatient clinic and a national cemetery in Alameda, California; and finally, realign the Livermore, California campus. Mr. Speaker, with a major construction need that totals more than $15 billion, this authorization takes needed steps to reduce the backlog of major construction projects. It is no secret that VA's infrastructure is old. The average age of its facilities is 60. The Secretary of the VA himself, Secretary Wilkie, emphasized this point by making the statement: There are several VA facilities that Abraham Lincoln would recognize. Even with outdated facilities, the Annals of Internal Medicine found in a 2018 report that VA provides better care than private options in most cases. That is right. VA provides better care, even though they are working from outdated facilities. What would those findings look like if VA was competing with a modern infrastructure? Mr. Speaker, not only does VA provide better care, veterans want to use VA-delivered healthcare. A survey conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars found that 92 percent of veterans who participated in the survey responded that fixing VA facilities was the best way to improve VA's delivery of healthcare to veterans. Ninety percent of respondents who use VA stated they would recommend VA healthcare to another veteran. It is clear that veterans, given the option, want to preserve the VA healthcare system and feel that it is a quality option for veterans to receive care. Mr. Speaker, that is why I support S. 3414. I thank Senator Moran, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for prioritizing and passing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I associate myself with the remarks about the memory of our recently departed former Member. Of course, all of our Vietnam veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice but also those who came back from that service in that war, we all owe a debt of gratitude toward them. I recall my own uncle, who, unfortunately, committed suicide. I remember coming back from school and learning that he had committed suicide. We have so many of our Vietnam-era veterans who are extremely vulnerable because they have underlying conditions. I know that many of our veterans have been playing leadership roles among their neighbors to lead their neighbors in responding to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. I thank all of those veterans across our country for leading that effort. Coming off of the Memorial Day weekend, it is certainly always a poignant holiday that we observe in recognition of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. With regard to S. 3084, I urge my colleagues to pass it. It is the right thing to do. We need to do right by the senior leaders of the VA. We need to make sure that we continue to attract the very best to serve our veterans in the service of the Veterans Department. Mr. Speaker, 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 S. 3084, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3084) to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees and officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6168, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020 increases veterans' disability compensation at the same rate as the annual Social Security increase. This puts a little extra money in the pockets of our disabled veterans and their families to make sure VA benefits keep pace with inflation. While this increase may be a small one, it is an essential one that veterans and their families rely on us passing each year. In my time as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have had the opportunity to speak to and know many veterans. Many of them highlight this bill as a priority for them and their families. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is vital for ensuring that veterans' benefits do not decline due to changes in the economy. For veterans with service-connected disabilities, this annual change is an assurance to them and their families that their benefits will remain consistent. It is a guarantee we make to them and a great source of comfort to many veterans and their families. As our country deals with the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the severe economic effects it will have, it is more important than ever that we pass this yearly COLA increase so that veterans and their families trust that their benefits will not decline due to inflation. I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, for introducing H.R. 6168. I wholeheartedly support H.R. 6168, and urge all of my colleagues to do so as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 materials on H.R. 6168.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6168) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Luria), my good friend and the chairwoman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, the author of H.R. 6168, and a former naval commander.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, the public health emergency our country is facing requires immediate, bold action. That is why I rise today in support of H.R. 6800, the HEROES Act. The HEROES Act will provide families, workers, and veterans in our communities with the support they urgently need during this pandemic. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am proud that this bill includes essential provisions to meet veterans' needs. The HEROES Act authorizes VA healthcare for all veterans who have lost their health insurance due to the pandemic, including legislation introduced by Subcommittee Chair Representative Pappas to streamline the payment of emergency care claims to community providers. As a result of COVID-19, veterans are facing financial hardships due to job losses while vital services are strained, leaving vulnerable veterans without support. This bill includes provisions sponsored by Subcommittee Chair Representative Levin enabling VA to provide greater support for homeless veterans and their children. It also includes legislation from Representative Allred increasing aid and attendance support by 25 percent for veterans and caregivers. Those who need assistance with daily activities must not be forgotten. In addition to these strong veteran provisions, the HEROES Act responds to the dire economic and healthcare challenge our Nation is facing. It provides $1 trillion in funding to support States and local governments in their response to this pandemic so that they can continue their essential services. It addresses the urgent needs of families and workers by putting direct financial assistance in the pockets of every American, creating a $200 billion Heroes Fund to give hazard pay to essential workers, and providing assistance to renters and homeowners. We are facing an extraordinary crisis. Congress needs to respond to it with the courageousness it demands. The health and livelihoods of the American people depend on it. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, H.R. 266 provides billions of dollars in funding for small businesses, hospitals, and much-needed testing. This is a bill that works for the people, not just the favorite clients of the big banks. I have heard from small business owners in Riverside County who have struggled to receive the help they need after the original funds ran dry. This bill strengthens the Paycheck Protection Program by providing an additional $310 billion to help small businesses stay afloat. Further, this bill ensures that true small businesses--not large, multimillion-dollar corporations--have access to these funds. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 266. The well-being of the American people depends on it.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Majority Leader Hoyer. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 748, the CARES Act. 571 veterans in the VA's healthcare system have tested positive for coronavirus. We have already lost nine veterans to this virus. Mr. Speaker, 120 veterans have been admitted to VA hospitals; 185 VA employees, including doctors and nurses providing lifesaving healthcare to veterans with coronavirus, have also been infected. Because of the lack of widespread testing due to supply chain challenges like low levels of reagents, shortages of swabs and testing kits, a dwindling supply of masks to protect healthcare workers, understaffed VA hospitals without providers to administer the tests, and a 2- to 7-day lag time for veterans to receive results, we know that the magnitude of this public health emergency and the number of veterans sickened by this deadly virus are underreported. It will only become more severe in the weeks to come. Providing nearly $20 billion to VA to combat this virus is vital. This funding will save veterans' lives, protect VA's healthcare providers and first responders, and give VA the resources it needs to serve as the Nation's backup healthcare system in communities where local hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. Mr. Speaker, this relief package provides nearly $16 billion in funding for VA to provide healthcare to veterans, including the purchase of essential medical supplies like ventilators. VA will have the funds to purchase more COVID-19 testing kits, N95 masks, gowns, face shields, and gloves--personal protective equipment to keep healthcare providers and staff at the VA hospitals safe. Healthcare providers and workers caring for veterans in their homes at VA-run nursing homes, community living centers, and State-veteran homes will also receive personal protective equipment. Mr. Speaker, $100 million is allocated for emergency management so VA first responders have the resources they need to help veterans and communities during this public health emergency. $590 million is set aside for veterans most vulnerable to COVID-19: homeless veterans and elderly veterans in community living centers and assisted living facilities. Over $2 billion is provided to support VA's IT systems and strengthen VA's telework capabilities. Greater telework capacity reduces the risk of coronavirus transmission in VA's workforce and keeps the Department running. Over $600 million is set aside for VA to retrofit its hospitals and clinics to increase the number of beds and treatment rooms to care for veterans with COVID-19 and deploy mobile treatment units. Over $2 billion is appropriated for veterans who need urgent or emergency care in the community for COVID-19. Finally, this funding ensures the VA healthcare providers putting their lives on the line to treat veterans are paid for their overtime work hours that they work. Now, this relief package also makes veteran-owned small business owners eligible for loans to pay their employees and keep their businesses afloat and prevents veterans from losing their homes due to foreclosure. It ensures veterans who receive stimulus checks remain eligible for pension and means-based VA benefits. This package is far from perfect, but there is so much in this legislation that is critical to helping veterans and ordinary Americans survive this pandemic. I expect that there will be more legislation to ensure that no veterans or Americans are left behind. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues support this package.

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. 2227, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate my support for H.R. 561. I want to appreciate the work with the minority. We have worked together to pass these five pieces of legislation on the floor. It is another demonstration of our commitment to put veterans above partisanship and to put the interests of America above partisanship. Madam Speaker, I can't tell you what a privilege it is to chair this committee. I urge all my colleagues to pass H.R. 561, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 561, as amended, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019, is sponsored by General Bergman and Congresswoman Kuster. It establishes important oversight for VA small business contracting. Under current law, a small business contractor cannot give a subcontractor more than 50 percent of its contract work. The legislation requires veteran- and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to certify that they are performing at least half of the work. It also requires VA to refer contractors violating or suspected of violating the law to the VA Inspector General for investigation. Madam Speaker, in addition, the legislation establishes an oversight process and penalties for fraudulently claiming to comply with the law. Congress strongly supports creating business opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses and enforcing government contracting set-asides so that veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses can compete with larger government contractors. It is unfair to veteran small business owners who play by the rules to lose out on business opportunities to bad actors who do not follow the rules and pass on most of the work to subcontractors, especially when those subcontractors are not veteran owned. Madam Speaker, this bill is supported by the American Legion. Last Congress, the House passed identical legislation sponsored by my colleagues, General Bergman and Congresswoman Kuster. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 561, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 561, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 561) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 4613, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose), my good friend and member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and also a member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee and author of H.R. 4613.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4613, as amended, which would require the posting of congressionally mandated reports of the Department of Veterans Affairs on the Department's public website. The VA Reporting Transparency Act, introduced by Representatives Rose and Cisneros, will ensure easy public access to these reports. Surprisingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not currently provide public access to many of its reports that are mandated by Congress. Rather than place its reports on its website, VA will often only transmit its reports to a few congressional committees, such as the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. By contrast, the VA Office of Inspector General posts its reports online within 3 days of completion. This legislation would allow veterans and the public to access these reports online, which contain critical information about agency activities and the effectiveness of services. It would also improve accountability. For example, in 2019, VA provided reports to Congress on the activity of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection and on veterans being the target of Social Security fraud. Americans should know what actions the VA should be taking to protect VA whistleblowers and what VA has done to prevent the fraudulent use of veterans' Social Security numbers. These reports contain valuable information that should be made available to the public. Madam Speaker, the bill is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4613, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 4613, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4613) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a website of the Department that allows the public to obtain electronic copies of certain legislatively requested reports of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.