Mark Takano

I would also like to quickly add that Congressman Allred, a new member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, is expecting his first child any day now, so it is very appropriate that we are debating a bill today that will help so many…

I have no further speakers. I urge support for the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cloud). The amendment was agreed…

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I support this amendment because, by clarifying that vet centers are covered under the bill, we are ensuring that veterans seeking healthcare at any VA facility are allowed access-at-no-cost childcare…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I support this amendment because veterans are not immune from the opioid epidemic. They are not immune to alcoholism or substance abuse. When a veteran is also suffering from post-traumatic stress or…

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I support this amendment because, by clarifying that community-based outpatient clinics are covered under the bill, we are ensuring that veterans seeking healthcare services at any VA facility are…

Just in response, the pay-for to which the gentleman from Tennessee is referring is under mandatory spending, which would not actually pay for the program. It would be returned to the Treasury, and the discretionary funds simply--there is…

This bill is also supported by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and other veterans service organizations. So I am pleased to say that we have heard the VSOs weigh in on Ms. Brownley's…

We need something more immediate, more accessible.

I appreciate my Republican colleagues inviting, you know, Mr. Holtz-Eakin to give us, you know, the conservative point of view.

We do agree on immigration reform and the value of immigrants in our economy.

Of course, I believe that we need a strong, you know, baseline of a minimum wage.

The last thing we need is to have funding for VA's core mission get wasted.

It has been very disappointing to see, in the last 2 years, an administration that has not been able to put in place stable leadership at the VA.

I certainly don't want to see expectations unnecessarily raised at the State of the Union speech.

I do look forward to hearing as soon as possible more about the designated access standards.

I am a little concerned that this decision could be made, you know, the night before he delivers his speech.

I commend you on your hard work so far and assure you that, as we move into next Congress, you will continue to find a willing partner on this Committee.

I look forward to working with you in the next Congress to serve our Nation's veterans.

What a pleasure it has been to be your colleague.

Under my presumptive chairmanship, you can guarantee that Denver will not be forgotten.

I am cautiously optimistic that the implementation will be successful.

This is a management vacancy, a critical management vacancy at the confirmed Senate level.

I think it's embarrassing that--for you to ask after all that we've given you, but what do we need to do?

I am befuddled as to why an IT debacle--you send the project managers but you don't send the person for whom the major responsibilities whose shoulder lies.