Mark Takano

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to remind my colleagues that we have just 4 days to authorize mandatory funding for our Nation's Community Health Centers. If Congress fails to act before September 30, the Community Health Center program will suffer a 70 percent cut to its funding. Our constituents and our economy will suffer the consequences. Without this funding, an estimated 2,800 health center facilities will be forced to close, 51,000 medical professionals will lose their jobs, and 9 million patients will lose access to the care they rely on. The critical role Community Health Centers have in serving patients is beyond dispute, and it should be beyond partisanship. While our Senate colleagues are scrambling to meet a self-imposed deadline, they are ignoring real deadlines that we must meet. We must fund these health centers this week, or we will be responsible for the economic and human cost of our inaction.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3819, which reauthorizes several essential veterans' programs that support the men and women who have served our Nation. These programs include assistance and support services for caregivers who so often make profound sacrifices to support their loved ones, grants to our vital veterans service organizations so they can continue providing transportation for rural veterans to help connect them with the services they need, and programs to reintegrate homeless veterans which offer opportunities for meaningful employment and address the complex challenges they face. This bill reauthorizes specialized counseling for women veterans. This is particularly important in light of the stunning VA report released this month which showed that female veterans are six times more likely to die by suicide than any other women. These programs are fundamental to the well-being of our veterans and their families, and they are a reflection of our gratitude to those who serve. In addition, this legislation makes important technical changes that will allow us to follow through on the promises of the new GI Bill, which we passed unanimously earlier this year. Specifically, H.R. 3819 allows us to correct the perverse incentives that discourage veterans from attending local community colleges and universities, which is a provision I worked on with my Republican colleague, Congressman Paul Cook. It also allows for the restoration of benefits for veterans left stranded by the abrupt closure of for-profit colleges, which I championed with Republican Luke Messer. After the closures of ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges, student veterans in my district and across the country were left with nontransferable credits, depleted benefits, and none of the job opportunities that they were promised. By restoring their tuition and housing benefits, we are restoring a measure of justice for these veterans and restoring their opportunity to get the education they deserve and earned. Taken together, the reauthorization of vital programs and the technical fixes included in this bill should earn the support of every Member. I want to thank Chairman Roe, Ranking Member Walz, and my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for ensuring that veterans can continue to rely on these critical programs, and I am once again grateful for the bipartisanship that has defined our work on behalf of America's veterans. In closing, I want to note that yesterday was Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, and while today we are taking action to support our veterans, we must also remember the men and women who never made it home. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support this must-pass legislation.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, last week I visited Norte Vista High School and stood before a room of DREAMers who were desperate to know if they have a future in America, the only country they have ever called home. I had to look each student in the eye and say: I can't make any promises. The question is not whether we have enough votes in Congress to pass the Dream Act. We all know that we do. The question is not whether passing the Dream Act is the right thing to do. We all know that it is. The question before this Congress is whether we have the political courage and the basic decency to reject our worst impulses, and protect the most vulnerable members of our society. In a few months, I hope I can stand before that same room of DREAMers and tell them that the answer is, yes; yes, America can be a fair and a compassionate nation, and, yes, they are free to realize the promise of this great country.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, to protect California's DREAMers like Luceyda, who at age 31 hasn't been home to Mexico in 27 years because this is her home.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, late last night, Senate Republicans failed in their latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but today is not a day for celebration. It is a day for solutions. Over the past 7 years, the Affordable Care Act has expanded access to healthcare for millions of Americans; but the law's imperfections, combined with politically motivated opposition, have created a system that falls short of the goals we all share. In many communities across the country, there is not enough competition in the individual marketplaces, there is not enough support for middle class families and small businesses, and there is not nearly enough being done to curb the prescription drug prices that are swallowing family budgets. The good news is that we know how to solve these challenges. Now is the time for us to work together, Democrats and Republicans, to build a healthcare system that is worthy of this great Nation.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for mentioning that so that it doesn't detract from my time. But please visit California, especially Riverside, California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 114, which prevents a funding lapse in the VA Choice Program while making critical investments to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation is a significant improvement over the bill we considered earlier this week. It now includes leasing authorizations for VA medical facilities in 17 States across the country, and it includes several provisions that I introduced that will help address the VA's workforce shortages. This is what I hope to be the first step in providing the VA the tools it needs to meet its internal workforce challenges. As I have often said, the VA's ability to provide quality and timely care to our Nation's veterans will be determined by who it hires. There are nearly 50,000 vacancies at the VA that need to be filled. This bill strengthens and streamlines the VA's ability to recruit, hire, and retain talented and dedicated individuals. But more needs to be done to expand the VA's own internal capacity to provide care for our veterans. The VA Choice Program is a well-intentioned program, but it has not delivered on its promise to consistently cut wait times or improve care. We do not want to be back here in January passing another short- term fix. Starting today, we have 6 months to come together and develop a more efficient and effective system to connect veterans with the care they need. Earlier this week, I expressed my desire to vote for a bill that avoids a funding gap in the Choice Program, while also recognizing the importance of a strong and sustainable VA. This legislation meets that standard, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment which ensures that the Department of Energy continues to fund Energy Innovation Hubs in the Offices of Science, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, and Nuclear Energy. The current report language accompanying H.R. 3266, which is the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, directs the DOE not to fund these centers. By passing this amendment, we will clearly express Congress' intent to continue funding these innovation hubs and request that the final report language be edited to reflect our intent. The four existing innovation hubs conduct critical research across energy fields including nuclear, solar, advanced storage, and energy supply chains. These hubs are modeled off of the iconic Bell Laboratories, but private industry no longer sustains this type of research due to increasing pressure to make short-term profits. That is why it is essential that the government conduct this research. Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc and amend the final report language so these vital innovation hubs continue to receive funding.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster), a member of the Science Committee and also a physicist.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chair, I reiterate my support for the Office of Technology Assessment. Congress does not suffer from a lack of information, but it does suffer from a lack of trusted information to help make wise policy decisions. Today, we do need the Office of Technology Assessment more than ever. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would restore funding to the Office of Technology Assessment, or otherwise known as OTA. I would like to thank my cosponsors, Representatives Esty, Foster, Langevin, Lieu, and Lujan. The foundation for good policy is accurate and objective analysis, and, for more than two decades, the OTA set that foundation by providing relevant, unbiased technical and scientific assessments for Members of Congress and staff. But in 1995, the OTA was defunded, stripping Congress of a valuable resource to understand both emerging technologies as well as the nuances of the legislative process. In its absence, the need for OTA has only grown. Many of the issues OTA studied 20 years ago are even more pressing today. Antibiotic resistant bacteria, electronic surveillance in the digital age, and testing in America's schools, these are the complex challenges our Nation will continue to face, and Congress should have access to the thorough and insightful analysis OTA can provide. Investing in the OTA now will actually save us money in the future. In the last year it operated, the OTA's budget was $23 million, but its studies on the synthetic fuels corporation saved taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. Our amendment restores a modest $2.5 million to the OTA account for salaries and expenses to begin rebuilding the office. The cost is offset by a reduction to the Architect of the Capitol's construction and operations account. This administrative account will not take resources from specific construction projects. Mr. Chair, a great surgeon does not operate without modern tools, a master chef does not cook without fresh ingredients, and Members of Congress should not make policy decisions without relevant and unbiased information. And with that in mind, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, to restore funding to the Office of Technology Assessment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly oppose this CRA opposition, which rolls back critical protections for American consumers. Passing this resolution would set a nearly irreversible policy that allows Wall Street companies to commit pervasive fraud while avoiding the accountability that comes with a class action lawsuit. Access to our courts and the transparency and fairness they provide is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution. It is a sad irony that many of those that would be denied their constitutional rights through this resolution are the servicemembers and veterans who have risked their lives to protect those rights. When the American consumer takes on a Wall Street corporation, it is already a David versus Goliath situation. Now Republicans want to steal David's slingshot. Mr. Speaker, don't let them steal David's slingshot. Don't let them steal America's slingshot. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to reject this resolution.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3218, which secures and strengthens the GI Bill for future generations of veterans. It does so without cutting benefits from anyone who is currently serving. There are several provisions in this legislation worth celebrating. Removing time restrictions for future student veterans and making this a lifetime benefit, and increasing support for reservists, guardsmen, and their families are among the long overdue improvements to the GI Bill that are included in this legislation. But the restoration of GI Bill benefits for students defrauded by ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges is particularly noteworthy for veterans in my district and across the country. When those two schools abruptly shut their doors, thousands of student veterans were left with nontransferable credits, depleted benefits, and none of the job opportunities they were promised. By restoring their tuition and housing benefits, we are restoring a measure of justice for these veterans, and we are restoring their opportunity to get the education they deserve. I hope this is just the start of our efforts to crack down on for- profit colleges that exploit veterans. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz for their leadership, as well as the other members of the committee and the veterans service organizations who contributed to the strength of this legislation. Madam Speaker, passing H.R. 3218 is an important step toward ensuring that every person who serves this Nation has the opportunity to live a rewarding and purposeful and prosperous civilian life. I encourage all Members to support this bill. Madam Speaker, before closing, let me just add my praise to the chairman for his generosity and humbleness. I recognize, too, that this bill does not bear his name but the name of a predecessor. That was an incredible gesture, Madam Speaker. I salute the chairman's leadership. Mr. ROE from Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), my good friend, a Marine and Army veteran, and senior member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. The organizations signing the statement are AMVETS; the Disabled American Veterans; Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, IAVA; Military Officers Association of America, MOAA; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Vietnam Veterans of America; and Wounded Warrior Project. I would like to quote from a few of the paragraphs: ``In order to ensure that veterans can receive necessary care without interruption, we call on House leaders to take the time necessary to work together with Senate leaders to develop acceptable Choice funding legislation that not only fills the current funding gap, but also addresses urgent VA infrastructure and resource needs that led to creation of the Choice Program in the first place. ``All of our organizations are committed to building a future veterans healthcare system that modernizes VA and integrates community care whenever needed so that enrolled veterans have seamless access to timely, quality care. However, if new funding is directed only or primarily to private sector Choice care without any adequate investment to modernize VA, the viability of the entire system will soon be in danger.'' I also have letters opposing S. 114 from the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the VFW. I include these letters in opposition in the Record. Washington, July 22, 2017.--Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) today weighed in on options being considered to fund the veteran ``choice'' program, as the House of Representatives considers a vote on a draft bill, S. 114 as amended, on Monday, July 24. Priorities for the organization include open discussion on the best way to build up specialized veteran-centric services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), while expanding access to non-specialized healthcare for veterans without cutting critical non-healthcare VA benefits. ``The notion of streamlining VA is a necessary discussion that must continue. The devil is in the details, though,'' said Sherman Gillums Jr., executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America. ``We do support the responsible `right sizing' of VA, starting with the elimination of redundancies and ultimately using cost savings to increase reinvestment in VA's foundational services, such as spinal cord injury care. Offsets, at least in part, may be necessary in order to achieve that.'' Offsets, or program and benefit trade-offs used for budgeting purposes, are not new to VA. Past offsets include fees and collections related to housing loans and extensions in the reduction of certain pensions used to pay for other benefits. However, this is the first time Congress is requiring VA to include deficit reduction as a component of the agency's plan to maintain and expand the VA Choice Program. Moreover, some veteran advocates have expressed staunch opposition to offsets because they require VA to employ a ``rob Peter to pay Paul'' approach to funding programs. ``Paralyzed Veterans' main concern is that using these offsets to pay for VA healthcare comes at the expense of expanding non-healthcare benefits, such as disability compensation,'' explained Gillums. ``However, we are not prepared to simply oppose offsets because we believe VA is open to strengthening healthcare for our most catastrophically disabled veterans, which matters above all else. Paralyzed Veterans leads as an expert voice on the most complex healthcare challenges these veterans face, and we intend to use that voice to promote new ideas and progress.'' ``The bottom line is the discussion must continue with open minds on all sides,'' concluded Gillums. About Paralyzed Veterans Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For 70 years, we have ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis. As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico (pva.org). Source: Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose S. 114. A strong and sustainable Veterans Health Administration is critical to providing America's veterans with the care they deserve. By funding the Choice exception without investing in the VA itself, this legislation explicitly prioritizes the private sector at the VA's expense. This is not an acceptable way forward. Care in the community has always been and will always be important in ensuring veterans have access to care, the care that they have earned, but it would be a profound mistake to funnel billions of dollars into private care while neglecting the VA and the millions of veterans it serves every year, and that is exactly what this bill does. Veterans service organizations are speaking out, because they know what is at stake. They understand the bigger policy implications of today's vote. This legislation is a referendum on the mistaken belief that the private sector is better equipped to care for our Nation's veterans than specialized VA doctors. I have a statement from eight VSOs that echo these concerns, and I include it in the Record. Leading Veterans Organizations Call on Members of Congress To Defeat Unacceptable Choice Funding Legislation Urge House to Work with Senate to Reach a Bipartisan, Bicameral Agreement (Joint Statement from AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)) As organizations who represent and support the interests of America's 21 million veterans, and in fulfillment of our mandate to ensure that the men and women who served are able to receive the health care and benefits they need and deserve, we are calling on Members of Congress to defeat the House vote on unacceptable choice funding legislation (S. 114, with amendments) scheduled for Monday, July 24, and instead work with the Senate to reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement. As we have repeatedly told House leaders in person this week, and in a jointly-signed letter on June 28, we oppose legislation that includes funding only for the ``choice'' program which provides additional community care options, but makes no investment in VA and uses ``savings'' from other veterans benefits or services to ``pay'' for the ``choice'' program. Veterans health care benefits have already been ``paid for'' through the service and sacrifice of the men and women who wore our nation's uniform, millions of whom suffered injuries, illnesses and lifelong disabilities. In order to ensure that veterans can receive necessary care without interruption, we call on House leaders to take the time necessary to work together with Senate leaders to develop acceptable ``choice'' funding legislation that not only fills the current funding gap, but also addresses urgent VA infrastructure and resource needs that led to creation of the ``choice'' program in the first place. All of our organizations are committed to building a future veterans health care system that modernizes VA and integrates community care whenever needed so that enrolled veterans have seamless access to timely, quality care. However, if new funding is directed only or primarily to private sector ``choice'' care without any adequate investment to modernize VA, the viability of the entire system will soon be in danger. We call on leaders in both the House and Senate to work together in good faith, and we remain committed to supporting such efforts, in order to quickly reach an agreement that ensures veterans health care is not interrupted in the short term, nor threatened in the long term.

Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, after more than 2 years and more than $10 billion, the VA Choice Program has failed to deliver on its promise of shorter wait times for veterans. It is time for us to recognize that private care is not the panacea for the complex challenge of caring for our Nation's veterans and that the VA's role must remain foundational to veterans' care. This bill does not reflect that reality. I urge my colleagues to reject this legislation while we continue to work toward a bipartisan, bicameral solution.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2210, a bill to designate the Community Living Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center. Sergeant Joseph George Kusick was awarded the Silver Star for sacrificing his life in an effort to ensure that as many of his comrades as possible made it home from Vietnam. The resulting recovery effort was to be recorded by the squadron as one of the largest and most hazardous on record. As a radio operator, Sergeant Kusick served as the connection between the 5th Special Forces Group, who found themselves under enemy ambush, and the forward air controller charged with coordinating their evacuation. Although Sergeant Kusick was seriously injured during the ambush, he refused multiple offers to evacuate, ultimately refusing two helicopters, only to board a helicopter that was then shot down by intense Viet Cong fire. His bravery and sacrifice earned him a posthumously awarded Silver Star with the following citation: ``Kusick's gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.'' Mr. Speaker, I salute Sergeant Kusick for his selfless bravery, and I support the passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. I am very thankful that the gentleman has brought Congress' attention to Sergeant Kusick's deed on behalf of our Nation. I was reflecting on his youth, 22 years old, and to think that so many younger, his age, step forward to defend our Nation and to give up their lives. I think it is well for all of us in this Chamber to reflect on that sacrifice as we struggle to reach across the aisle and to come to agreement to serve our country, to note the ultimate sacrifice that they put forward. I thank you very much for the effort you have taken to remember a great American hero. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin my remarks by offering my thoughts and prayers to Majority Whip Steve Scalise and his family, as well as Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, and the two other members of our community who were injured in yesterday's attack. We are a family--from Members to staff, to the Capitol Police officers who keep us safe. Families have disagreements and arguments, but, in the end, we support each other. Speaker Ryan got it absolutely right yesterday: an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. We owe it to the American people to hold a vigorous and public debate of our ideas, but we also owe it to them and to each other to do so without losing touch with our humanity. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2372, which would protect access to tax credits for up to 7 million veterans on the American Health Care Act. However, I am concerned by the process that led to this legislation. In testimony to the Rules Committee and on the House floor, I described this loophole in the bill that jeopardizes access to tax credits for veterans who are eligible but not enrolled in the VA. Repeatedly, supporters of the AHCA told me that veterans' tax credits would be protected by existing regulation. This bill is evidence that the loophole is an issue and that the existing regulation would no longer apply if the Affordable Care Act was repealed. While I am glad we are making this fix, I am concerned that the rushed process for considering the AHCA led to the House passing disruptive healthcare legislation without fully understanding its impact on millions of Americans, especially our Nation's veterans. The tax credit issue is relatively easy to solve, but there are more complicated issues for veterans under the AHCA that require more comprehensive solutions. The $834 billion cut to Medicaid could impact nearly 2 million veterans. The potential for States to waive protections like essential health benefits could lead many veterans without health coverage for the invisible wounds of war. Indeed, military service could be construed as a preexisting condition. As someone who repeatedly called out this veterans loophole, I feel compelled to support this fix, but my support is not an endorsement of the AHCA or its impact on veterans and their families.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding time. And I want to thank Ranking Member Walz and Chairman Roe for their work on the issue of accountability and their tireless commitment to our Nation's veterans. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. Throughout the debate over accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs, I have advocated for legislation that holds VA employees accountable, without violating their constitutional right to due process. This legislation strikes that balance far better than previous accountability proposals. This compromise respects current grievance procedures, maintains existing due process protections, and improves the appeals process by requiring managers to present employees with all of the evidence before they move on a disciplinary action. Today we are voting to strengthen whistleblower protections. This bill codifies the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and it mandates that its Director is a Senate-confirmed position instead of a political appointee. It also offers training on how to handle whistleblowers correctly, which will encourage employees to come forward if they witness misconduct. Do I have concerns about this bill? Absolutely, I do. This is not the accountability legislation that I would have written. We must always remember that a third of VA employees are veterans themselves, and they deserve the workplace protections afforded to them in the Constitution as well as the respect of this Congress. But my concerns pale in comparison to the serious and numerous institutional issues raised by accountability bills previously advanced in the House. Passing this bill today will accomplish several important objectives: We will fulfill the repeated requests from veteran service organizations and the VA itself for a stronger accountability system. We will support the VA's continuing effort to create a culture of excellence. We will provide veterans greater confidence that the VA is prepared to meet their needs. Finally, by passing this bill, we can shift our focus from who is fired from the VA to who is hired at the VA. As I stand here today, there are nearly 50,000 vacant jobs at the VA. This is a significant and urgent challenge. Ultimately, the success of the Department of Veterans Affairs will depend on recruiting, training, and retaining the highest quality talent available. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee to streamlining the hiring process and ensuring that the VA has the staff and expertise it needs to provide veterans the care and support they have earned. I applaud the Senate for forging this compromise, and I again want to recognize Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz for their important work. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I had intended to support H.R. 1293, but after hearing the remarks from the chairman on the floor this morning, I am afraid that this bill is just a precursor for what the majority will try to do to our dedicated Federal employees. The sentiments expressed by the chairman are in line with the legislation that appeared before the Veterans' Affairs Committee just this past week, legislation that would have undermined the use of official time for employees at the VA. So there are attacks happening in other parts of the House. The committee marked up H.R. 1461, the misnamed VET Protection Act. This bill would limit the amount of time VA employees can use for official time to improve working conditions for themselves and for their colleagues and, in turn, improve services for veterans. We considered this bill, despite the fact we didn't have clear data on the impact of the bill on the VA's HR capability. I realize this bill we are considering on the floor today is about that data, but the spirit in which it is being moved forward is not about trying to illuminate how official time has helped our veterans. There are 49,386 vacant positions at the VA. Rolling back the use of official time will only increase the demands on the VA's human resources staff, making it harder to fill positions and recruit and retain quality providers. Official time benefits our veterans. In Pittsburgh, as was mentioned before by my colleague from New Jersey, an AFGE president used official time to press the VA to address a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that killed 6 veterans and made 16 others sick. Her actions helped save veterans' lives, and she used official time to do it. At the Phoenix VA there was a 29 percent turnover rate for licensed practical nurses. Union representatives used official time to improve working conditions and cut the turnover rate in half. Less turnover means better care for veterans. I warn my colleagues against this bill and future misguided legislation to undermine official time and the function of our Federal agencies.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my colleague from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster) and her bill to improve information sharing between providers to ensure that they are able to follow safe prescribing practices. The VA Prescription Data Accountability Act helps to close a loophole in statute that limits the data that the VA can share with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, or PDMPs. These databases track the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances to help find suspected fraud and intervene with patients who are at high risk for prescription drug abuse. These databases are only as useful as the information they collect. Since 2011, the VA has been able to share prescription data with PDMPs, but only for the veteran patients it sees. Statutory and technical challenges have prevented the Department from sharing data from nonveteran patients with PDMPs. Approximately 10 percent of the VA's patients are nonveterans. We are talking about 700,000 patients each year. Now, Ms. Kuster's bill expands the authority of the VA to share all patient data with PDMPs. This will allow us to better monitor the use of prescription drugs and help combat a growing opioid epidemic. On average, 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispensed daily in the United States, and 78 people die from opioid-related overdoses. Properly tracking prescription drugs is one of the first steps to turn the tide on this epidemic. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member, Mr. Walz, for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2288 the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. Over the past 5 years, the number of pending appeals at the VA has skyrocketed by 40 percent and now sits at nearly half a million cases. The average processing time for an appeal is 3 years. Republicans and Democrats agree, the VA agrees, veterans service organizations agree, and, most importantly, veterans agree that we need to fix this broken process. I am pleased that my colleagues on the committee have come together to develop a bipartisan solution that reduces the overly complicated appeals process, shortens the time a veteran will wait for a decision, and preserves a veteran's full length of benefits if their appeal is decided favorably. This legislation has taken a lot of time and effort. I applaud my colleagues Ms. Titus and Mr. Miller for laying the groundwork in the last Congress, and Ms. Esty and Mr. Bost for carrying this legislation into the 115th Congress. I am very, very proud of all the work done by the committee staff to bring this together, and I am grateful to the dedicated VSOs and the VA for their input. This is a great example of how we can put aside our partisan differences and make our veterans' lives better. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.