Mark Takano

We are asking for $2.5 million, which is I think a modest investment just, again, to get the office back underway.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I enjoy a great relationship with both you and the ranking member.

Opening Statement of Takano, Hon. Mark

Are you all going to pay for part of this parade, rather than put the money into veterans healthcare?

We are not going to give up on this. That would be a failure of our acceptance of this mission.

We are absolutely torn up that this happens to people serving veterans.

It is the government's responsibility and our duty to take care of our veterans and to oversee that, to not just be privatized.

There is no guard rails at all. The Department of Education is--the regulatory process is going full speed ahead.

I am extremely disappointed that we are seeing in the Higher Ed bill, a complete elimination of the 9010 rule.

I hope we can continue to work together to help districts like mine, and Ms. Kuster's, and all of the rural states that we have represented on this Committee.

I am profoundly frustrated that this mismanagement has interfered with our mission of building a stronger and more sustainable VA.

Any misuse of tax payer money is a significant breach of the trust we place in public officials.

If we are going to make any progress in addressing the opioid epidemic and addressing substance abuse disorders in general, our workplaces must have policies that support affected workers.

As Ranking Member Sablan has said, access to comprehensive health coverage is imperative for workers with substance abuse disorders.

The opioid epidemic, and substance abuse more broadly, has been felt in every corner of this country.

I just want it to be clear to people out there that when the administration talks about cutting back or repealing and replacing the ACA, that Medicaid expansion was a huge part of the Affordable Care Act.

Cuts to Medicaid in the midst of an escalating opioid epidemic could result in lost lives.

Supporting the work requirement paradoxically would hamper their ability to get into the workforce?

I have no further speakers, and I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this meaningful piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1545

You have made prior public statements to the effect that you believe that you could expand this program under your current authority as Secretary.

You have made previous public statements to the effect that you could, Mr. Secretary.

I just want to get a straight answer about your authority.

So by adjusting these criteria, you do have the authority to expand the Caregiver to pre-9/11 recipients?

I just want to also heap praise on our colleague Dina Titus.

I think the American people, especially those in coal States, are quickly realizing that the rhetoric this Administration uses to bring coal back might just be all talk and no action.