Mark Takano

I have met with students from Berkley who said they have to go way, way, way out of in--a long radius from the campus to get affordable housing.

I was shocked that they said this is what the students said they needed.

I think there needs to be an alignment and an agreement between Federal and State implementations.

We can't assume that as they enter the university system that they're going to have any less need for nutrition.

We all know that financial--the financial benefits to completing a college degree, let there be no doubt that there is value in that.

Although we would like to see a less complicated amount, perhaps $1,500, we otherwise support enactment of the WOW Act.

If such an assessment is proved to be feasible, and if it will provide evidence that the fears of affected military veterans are in fact well-founded, VVA endorses this bill.

Frankly, VA should be doing these reviews regularly, without Congress having to direct them to do so.

We believe also that those veterans whose claims the VA has previously rejected and whose claims will be validated with the enactment of H.R. 299, should be addressed as expeditiously as possible.

It is a horrible feeling when you have to tell a veteran that no matter what we do they are not going to be eligible for that presumptive because they were on ship, they weren't in country.

H.R. 1200 would authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans in receipt of compensation and pension.

It is time that we correct the injustice done to Blue Water Navy Veterans and provide protection of the Procopio decision by passing H.R. 299.

We strongly support H.R. 299, as it is in alignment with DAV Resolution 33, which advocates that service in the Republic of Vietnam includes service in the territorial waters.

This seems eminently reasonable, and VVA, therefore, supports its enactment.

I am glad to hear that the VA has no objections to the COLA bill introduced by Chairwoman Luria and cosponsored by Ranking Member Bost.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I, too, do like you seeing you in that position, as well.

As Chairman of the Committee in this Congress, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 was the very first piece of legislation I introduced.

First, I want to thank you for including H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, in this legislative hearing.

Another bill that has my full support is H.R. 1126, which would allow the VA to mark the name and dates of a deceased spouse on a VA headstone in a private cemetery.

I would like to commend one of our freshman Members, Mr. Steube of Florida, for introducing H.R. 1628, the Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Radiation Study Act.

I am proud to be the lead cosponsor with the chair with bill H.R. 1200, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019.

I am honored to take part in advancing this legislation through this Subcommittee.

And so we have a wide--cast a wide net in terms of the story that we tell.

Thank you. Welcome, Professor Hedge Coke.

I do not think that is a Secretary of Labor that is protecting the American worker.