Mark Takano

We need to keep our promises.

It is imperative that we do everything we can to protect VA's ability to deliver on the promise we have made to our veterans.

Veterans will be asked to sacrifice on behalf of the nation, in this case their hard-earned health care and benefits.

We are simply not going to stand for any kind of talk about returning to 2022 funding levels.

You should be given the benefit of the doubt.

It is an honor to join all the members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs.

I fully expect reciprocation. I don't have any indication otherwise.

Finding people who have that expertise in computer technology, in electronic health records, as you might imagine, trying to pay salaries that are competitive is difficult.

Chief among these achievements is what we--is that we upheld our promise to take care of toxic exposed veterans.

Our committee was one of the busiest last Congress. Working together, we have had some remarkable achievements.

AFGE represents more than 750,000 Federal and District of Columbia government employees, 291,000 of whom are proud, dedicated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees.

Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for inviting Student Veterans of America (SVA) to submit a statement on the topic of Building an Accountable Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

I championed that finally recognizes the effects of toxic exposure as a cost of war.

We only have 30 days to comment on the rule, as you know.

What programs or operations could withstand a cut of this magnitude? Are there any at VHA?

Beyond the fact that this would destroy your ability to prepare for the up to 3.5 million PACT Act eligible veterans to enter the VA health care system.

For VA, this would mean a cut of at least $31 billion in funding for veterans health care.

The VA is filled with talented people dedicated to their noble mission of serving our veterans.

Having served on this committee since my first year in Congress, I could not agree more.

One thing I have appreciated about working with you is that whenever possible, we have done our best to find common ground.

Bringing VA into the 21st Century for veterans is my No. 1 priority.

Senator Cantwell cited examples of patients crossing the border to seek their medications, rationing drugs, and foregoing necessary doses because they can't pay the prices set.

The monopolistic practices of these PBMs are forcing them to make extreme and excruciating choices between paying their rent, buying their groceries, and keeping the lights on--or getting the medication they need to survive.

Monopolistic business practices driven by profit are bad enough in any industry, but when that industry controls Americans' access to basic healthcare needs--that is despicable.

All students deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and supported in their school.