Mark Takano

Historically, there has been a lack of resources dedicated to the mission of serving survivors.

Representative Jahana Hayes has introduced legislation to raise the levels of DIC benefits on par with other Federal survivors programs.

This majority professes to carry the torch for veterans, but they cannot muster the will to move the needle one single bit.

We are identifying a desire for a single point of contact.

Soon we will have legislation introduced from my colleague, Representative Frank Mrvan, to increase benefits for those using Chapter 35 education benefits.

I just want to acknowledge all of your journeys. Very moving testimony by all of you, and your resilience is inspiring and I am also inspired by your courage.

The confusion and delays can be extremely frustrating.

The loss of a loved one has been associated with depression, anxiety, substance use, and prolonged grief reactions.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall no. 13. personal explanation

I wish that my Republican colleagues were more focused on helping and empowering workers. I urge opposition to the joint resolution.

Especially with specialty care, being absent even in the private sector, I mean, it is clear to me that care in the community, it does not solve the problem of access to care in these rural communities.

Rural veterans and their families have long had to navigate the altogether different healthcare experience than their suburban and urban counterparts.

I think that is a very valid concern.

No. We have got to go vote. I appreciate the courtesy in letting me ask Dr. Holmes more questions.

The need for a robust VA presence in rural America remains.

Veterans cannot always rely on the community to be there but they should be able to rely on VA.

The degree of closures of critical access hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is highly concerning.

I hope to talk to Representative Crane more about this idea.

Would you agree that Congress has given the department a range of tools, a lot of tools, a lot of authorities to be able to recruit and retain employees?

We do have a need to increase the specialty physicians. We need to really get serious about that.

Mental health is a major focus of our hiring efforts.

we are here to listen to you and we take those concerns very seriously.

Today, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the memory of Air Force Major Luke Unrath. Just days ago, Major Unrath lost his life when the CV-22B Osprey he piloted crashed during a training exercise off the coast of Japan. He was just 34…

Again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3581, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support of this very important, transformational piece of legislation, H.R. 542, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered…