We couldn't have said it better ourselves, President Thomas, with PVA. Don't blow it up, tune it up. Secretary Collins has been too focused on staffing cuts when he should be worried about how to deliver for veterans. VA has to be a resource for all veterans, especially for our disabled veterans.

As Kathryn Monet said, we need to do right by veterans and their families, who often have to rely on SNAP and the ACA. We need to deliver on these promises now.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social joined in @thehill.com Veterans Voices Summit. He spoke on his efforts to continue the PACT Act legacy by addressing previously overlooked exposures, to combat veteran homelessness, to prevent veteran suicide, & to connect more veterans & their families with VA care.

The ongoing Republican shutdown and furlough of an already downsized VBA only exacerbate ongoing issues at VA. Veterans need and deserve a VA that delivers their benefits in a timely and accurate fashion. This government shutdown is preventing hardworking VBA employees from fulfilling that goal.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social was joined by @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social, @wassermanschultz.house.gov & Democratic House members, as they met with 18 VSOs to discuss veteran benefits priorities. They had a candid conversation about current VA actions & future needs at VA.

42 M Americans — including 1.2M veterans — stopped receiving SNAP benefits. Trump has the ability to fully fund and issue all SNAP checks, which he was court-ordered to do. Trump chooses not to. Hunger shouldn’t be a political weapon. Veterans and families are not pawns.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social is demanding VA Sec. Collins reverse his order removing male breast cancer from PACT Act coverage. Male vets are often diagnosed at later stages. It seems the Trump Admin is more focused on dismantling VA- instead of delivering care. Full statement: tinyurl.com/23c6z6dr

Communities are doing their best—stepping in when the federal safety net breaks. But they shouldn’t have to. The USDA had contingency funds for SNAP, yet the Admin refused to use them until judges forced the issue. Trump chose not to act—inflicting pain on Dems rather than feeding vets & families.

We made some corrections to your Press Release, Secretary Collins. Republicans control everything, yet blame Democrats for the shutdown? Stop using veterans as pawns & reopen the government. When you have the House, Senate, & White House, you own the results—not the minority party.

Mr. Speaker, committees can't serve Americans if they're not functioning. Our committee hasn't held an official hearing since September. However, @democrats-veterans.house.gov continue to hold events so we can hear from and support our veterans and their families, even when Republicans don't attend.

While most VA GI Bill Benefits are being paid on time, we've heard that some may be delayed. If you or someone you know has faced issues with getting payments processed, fill out our survey, and someone from our team will reach out: forms.office.com/g/NB9CcpzJXa

Trump's tariffs are hitting veterans hard. Whether they're farming, running small businesses, or just trying to make ends meet, veterans are paying the price for failing trade policies. They fought for America—now they're fighting to get by.

The Trump Administration has the funding to pay SNAP benefits in November. They are REFUSING to spend $5 billion in SNAP reserve funds. Republicans are choosing to take the food off 1.2 million veterans' tables.

We have the receipts. Republicans are billing the American people $40,430,000,000.00 — money that could build dozens of new VA hospitals and serve over a million veterans. Instead, they’re spending it on bailouts, planes, and political favors. Decline the charge!

Trump is threatening SNAP benefits that feed 1.2 million veterans and their families. Meanwhile, grocery prices rise, billionaires get richer, Kristi Noem gets two taxpayer-funded planes, Trump builds a ballroom, and Republicans treat the veterans who actually served like bargaining chips.

As Buddy Check Week comes to a close, don't let it be your last check-in. Make it a habit to reach out to your veteran friends and their families. A simple call or text can make all the difference. #BuddyCheckWeek To take the pledge: department.va.gov/veterans-exp...

VA offers lifesaving, specialized care backed by veteran-centered research and training. While prison hospitals may provide standard treatment, they lack VA's expertise to serve incarcerated veterans. We need to follow through on the care we promised veterans for their service.

President Trump is clearly too busy with his own self interest to deliver results for the American people. As the shutdown continues his priorities remain clear. Billionaires benefit, while veterans lose out.

Trump gave Argentina $40 billion, but it could've been spent making life better for AMERICANS. Here's how: - Developing a cure for pediatric cancer - Delivering health care to millions of Americans - Building VA hospitals - Paying farmers already struggling with Trump's tariffs

During last week's roundtable, Dana Montalto highlighted the difficulties veterans face when transitioning out of the military. It's essential to provide resources during the early stages of transition to ensure veterans can successfully reintegrate into civilian life. 📺: youtu.be/K2qQ4KA0CJ4?...

This Buddy Check Week, take a moment to call or text your veteran friends and their families to let them know you're there for them. Every conversation matters and a simple check-in can go a long way. #BuddyCheckWeek

Veterans involved in the justice system face unique challenges as they reenter their communities. It's up to Congress to work with VA and community partners to do the best we can for ALL veterans. Listen to Mo Siedor explain.

What's been happening in the House this Congress? ⬇️ House R's have been on vacation since Sept. 👎 House Dems have been in DC & hosted countless roundtables & townhalls for vets 👍 Speaker Johnson continues to cancel votes 👎 Veterans deserve more than part-time Reps. Dems are showing up for Americans.

Veterans' families shouldn't struggle to find support in crisis. Raleigh, with the National Military Families Association, shared her family's story during our Roundtable last week, & their struggles to find help. House Democrats are committed to doing better for veterans & their families.

Blaming others for your leadership failures is not good governance. Republicans have control of Congress and the White House. Republicans are the ones who have allowed the dismantling of the VA workforce since before THEIR shutdown.

How'd we get here? The Big Ugly Bill created a healthcare crisis. Medicaid: Slashed Medicare: Targeted Hospitals: Closing Healthcare premiums: About to double Access to healthcare is at stake. Democrats demand a fix-Republicans shut down the government instead of negotiating. It's time we do right.

🚨Most VA Education GI Bill benefits should still be paid on time, but we've heard that there may be delays and issues with the process. Have you missed payments during the government shutdown? We need to hear from you. Complete our survey at: forms.office.com/g/NB9CcpzJXa

"We have an active duty servicemember swept up in an ICE raid who hasn't been allowed to talk to his family since September 3rd." During last week's roundtable, Col. Saenz called for immediate Congressional oversight to protect veterans and servicemembers from ICE agents.

🚨Have you missed GI Bill benefits during the government shutdown? Most VA Education benefits should still be paid on time, but we've heard that there may be delays and issues with the process. We need to hear from you. 🖱️Complete our survey at: forms.office.com/g/NB9CcpzJXa

Health insurance is crucial. Hear Doctor @kellymorrisonmn.bsky.social explain the real impacts veterans and their families who rely on the Affordable Care Act are facing during this Republican shutdown.

@housedemocrats.bsky.social are working to ensure Democrats, Republicans, Independents—AMERICANS—get the healthcare they deserve. Democrats are fighting for the 267,000 veterans who would lose coverage if premium tax credits expire. Republicans remain on vacation: www.urban.org/research/pub...

ICYMI: The Washington Post published RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social's letter to the editor this weekend, where he says WaPo is, "look(ing) for villains in the wrong place..." To read the article: tinyurl.com/33fahzhm.

🧵1/4: Day 15 of this Trump Shutdown and Democrats remain committed to delivering for veterans and Americans alike.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social issued the following statement today denouncing the @washingtonpost.com's series: tinyurl.com/5dx86xva

Secretary Collins says disability claims won't be disrupted during a shutdown—yet he's choosing to furlough claims processors. How does that make sense? With the existing backlog, furloughing staff will only make it harder for veterans to receive the benefits they've earned.

Veterans rely on Members of Congress to advocate for them with VA, but Secretary Collins is blocking casework inquiries during the shutdown and preventing Members from truly helping them. Read RM's @repmarktakano.bsky.social & @blumenthal.senate.gov joint letter addressing this: tinyurl.com/3tsb2s8n

Far too many veterans are set to lose coverage or face skyrocketing premiums. ACA plans are essential for many vets who don't live near a VA facility or don't qualify for VA care. If Congress doesn't take action to extend healthcare premium tax credits before year-end, these veterans will suffer.

This VA has crossed many legal boundaries. What’s next?

Veterans, as this shutdown continues, please take the time to tell the committee about the impacts you are facing. Reminder, you can find all of the surveys we have launched this year right here: democrats-veterans.house.gov/contact/subm...

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement calling out the Washington Post article that accuses veterans of exploiting their benefits. RM Takano strongly urges WaPo to reexamine the goal of this four-part series. The Press Release: democrats-veterans.house.gov/news/press-r...

🧵1/2 Trump wants this shutdown. Trump supports this shutdown. If the Republicans want to reopen the government, Democrats stand ready to meet them at the table.

🧵1/4 Today marks one week since Republicans shut down the government. Democrats remain ready to deliver for veterans and all Americans, while House Republicans refuse to return to DC.

Where are House Republicans? 6 days into a shutdown & Speaker Johnson canceled votes & sent everyone home. What's your plan, Mr. Speaker? Just let veterans who rely on Medicare & Medicaid lose healthcare? House Democrats are fighting to protect veterans' care while Republicans work to destroy it.

This year, Republicans passed the biggest Medicaid cut in history to help pay for tax breaks for billionaires. They can do the right thing with this CR and reverse the Medicaid cuts. Democrats are fighting to protect healthcare for all Americans, including 1.6 million+ veterans who rely on Medicaid.

🚨 Day 3 of the Trump shutdown 🚨 Republicans control the White House, House, and Senate—and they want millions of families to lose access to affordable healthcare. Our veterans who served this country deserve better. Republicans: Come back to Washington and do your job.

What have Republicans done for homeless veterans?

Trump is hellbent on hiding the truth of his corruption from the American people. Defunding the support for VA's OIG website is a deliberate cover-up to keep veterans and taxpayers in the dark about waste, fraud, & abuse at Doug Collins' VA.

Servicemembers must stay apolitical in uniform. At Quantico, Trump and Hegseth crossed that line, forcing officers to serve as political props. Worse, VA broke the law by pushing partisan rhetoric via official channels. Military and veteran comms should inform, not push partisan political rhetoric.

Veterans, we understand that a shutdown can lead to further confusion in an already difficult time. We need to hear from you to understand the impacts this shutdown has had on your communities. Please fill out our brief survey. forms.cloud.microsoft/g/chCT6EQxSN

While Republicans are weaponizing veterans in this debate, Democrats remain committed to safeguarding veterans’ care—ensuring their access to VA services is never interrupted—while also driving down healthcare costs and protecting VA’s specialized care.