Mark Takano: “It is regrettable that I must rise in opposition to the measure before us. I am anguished over it for one simple reason…”

“It is regrettable that I must rise in opposition to the measure before us. I am anguished over it for one simple reason: Veterans' lives are on the line. I have the greatest respect for my colleague, the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, and I know it was a difficult road to get to this point. I also appreciate the work of our Democratic leader to try and find consensus. There are many good things in this bill, things that will benefit everyday Americans, but as ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, this bill comes at the expense of our most vulnerable veterans and, therefore, I cannot support it. However, I will be clear that I am not asking my colleagues to oppose the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”