14 years ago, Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed, ending decades of discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers.   RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social will continue to fight ALL forms of discrimination against ALL servicemembers—including Trump's transgender troop ban.

Let’s get the facts right: ✔️This change is the result of the Dole Act, which Biden signed into law ✔️Congress gave VA the authority to raise the rate as high as $125/day/veteran for many providers ✔️The Trump Admin is keeping the rate at $83, leaving homeless veterans & those who care for them behind

@reptimkennedy.bsky.social's Honoring Our Heroes Act was passed out of the House this week. Families are one step closer to being able to request headstones or burial markers for veterans who died before Nov. 1, 1990. Regardless of when a veteran dies, their service will never be forgotten.

Ranking Member @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement regarding the Republicans’ government spending bill. "We must act to meet the needs of the American People and veterans." - RM Takano

Today, we recognize and honor the servicemembers who were held as prisoners of war and those who have not made it back home. We will not forget the nearly 81,000 unaccounted-for servicemembers who remain missing in action.

This week, the House passed @budzinski.house.gov's bill HR 2034. This bill removes barriers that prevent veterans from applying for Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarships, which will help veterans get trained and employed in high-demand fields like engineering, healthcare, and science.

Today marks the 78th birthday of the U.S. Air Force. We are thankful for all our Air Force veterans & their service to this great nation, including four members of the @housedemocrats.bsky.social Caucus: @repherbconaway.bsky.social, @houlahan.house.gov, @reptedlieu.bsky.social, and Rep. Don Davis.

This week, the House passed the FAST VETS Act. This bill will improve veterans’ employment opportunities while they are in the VR&E program, enabling them to graduate faster and enter their new careers sooner. Listen to @repdexteror.bsky.social remarks highlighting the importance of her bill.

@juliabrownley.house.gov emphasized the importance of protecting women’s rights from Republican attacks during our press conference earlier this month: “I am appalled and disgusted by the Trump Administration's cruel and reckless effort to roll back abortion protections for our women veterans."

Yesterday, Subcommittee Ranking Member @budzinski.house.gov questioned VA officials about DOGE's operations within the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA has not yet provided the committee with clear answers about whether DOGE employees have had access to veteran data.

To every veteran on their recovery journey, whether you're facing substance use disorder, PTSD, or depression, know you are not alone. Remember this National Recovery Month, your support system didn't end when you left the service. va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health

“But you know what risk we didn't take? That we might die when having the audacity to want to have a family.” - Kylenne Hunter IAVA

"Veterans choose VA for the community it provides, for the people it employs, & for the fact that it is not driven by profit. AI can be a tool to provide decision support, ease provider burdens & help with note-taking so doctors can be more present with the patient." - @budzinski.house.gov

Starting at 3 PM EST, Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Ranking Member @budzinski.house.gov will deliver her opening remarks during todays Oversight Hearing titled "Advancing VA Care Through Artificial Intelligence". To watch the hearing live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rlH...

Today, RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social issued the following statement regarding SB 694, urging his California colleagues to bring this important legislation to the floor for a vote. To read his full statement: democrats-veterans.house.gov/news/press-r...

House Republicans are trying to ban research on gun violence—when it is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. And more than half of gun deaths are suicides, with that number rising to 70% for veterans. (1/2)

Mission over money. Veterans over profits. Quality care over quarterly earnings. When healthcare is guided by service rather than shareholder returns, veterans get the quality care they earned.

Our nation was forever changed 24 years ago today. We must never forget the people we lost and the sacrifices that followed.

What happens when private equity comes to town? They buy a hospital, sell its building & land out from under it, & then rent it back to the hospital, often with escalating fees. The result? Increased risk of bankruptcy & closure. Learn more by watching our latest roundtable: youtu.be/oKRQkTXUYqg?...

Far too often, private equity buys hospitals, and the owners profit while patient care suffers. RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social called out private equity for squeezing "every penny they can" from healthcare at veterans' expense. Take a look:

Dedicated healthcare workers want to focus on caring for patients, not cutting costs or boosting profits for shareholders. When veterans get care outside VA, they shouldn't worry if that facility values profits over quality. We need transparency on the direct impact of private equity on healthcare.

A single call can save a life. Call your battle buddies this month in honor of suicide prevention month. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988+1 or text 838255.

(1/2) Just weeks after VA ended the Veterans Assistance Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, an effort that helped veterans avoid foreclosure, an estimated 35,000 veterans have received letters from VA, misinforming them of their status or risk of foreclosure.

Yesterday, Ranking Member @repmarktakano.bsky.social hosted a press conference on VA's proposed regulation to reinstate a near-total ban on abortions & bar VA providers from offering comprehensive pregnancy counseling for veterans. To watch the full press conference: www.youtube.com/live/nZT6OBB...

"Veterans fought for our rights. Now it is our responsibility to fight for theirs." - RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social

@repdexteror.bsky.social and ‪@democrats-veterans.house.gov want veterans to receive the health care our nation promised them in return for their service. That promise doesn't stop at reproductive freedom.

RMs @repmarktakano.bsky.social & @blumenthal.senate.gov join the @demwomencaucus.bsky.social & @reprocaucus.bsky.social for a press conference on VA's proposed regulation to reinstate a near-total ban on abortions & bar VA providers from offering comprehensive pregnancy counseling for veterans.

@democrats-veterans.house.gov is committed to preventing and reducing veteran suicide by supporting investment in mental health services, research, and outreach. Veterans: You are not alone. Your life matters. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1

This Labor Day, we recognize VA employees who serve our veterans every day. While we honor their contributions, their right to collectively bargain is under attack. Real respect for labor means protecting the fundamental right to organize. Our veterans deserve a strong, unionized VA workforce.

"Quickly I learned how difficult it was being a veteran in a civilian world, and it brought me a lot of battles." - Robert Ham

"I was a Marine. I was blowing things up. No one showed me, you know, how to transition back nice and smoothly, I had to struggle." - Diego Garcia

Rob Reynolds shared his insight at our Roundtable this week and discussed the work he has done to help his fellow veterans at the Soldiers’ Home in West LA. Together, we can end veteran homelessness.

The Administration is lying to us. The VA has lost at least 7,500 veteran-facing employees since the Administration started. Doctors, nurses, and social workers supporting veterans. The numbers don't lie, and Secretary Collins' failures of leadership seem to be at the heart of the matter.

🚨ICYMI: Yesterday, RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social held a Roundtable discussion regarding West LA VA's plan to revitalize the Soldiers' Home. To watch RM Takano's opening remarks: www.youtube.com/live/VCiH6kO...

Staring now, the @democrats-veterans.house.gov is hosting a Roundtable titled, “Forward Together: Creating Community on the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Campus”. To watch the Roundtable: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCiH...

Veterans, we know that times like these can feel overwhelming. It might seem like you're facing challenges by yourself, but know you are never alone. There is always someone to talk to. Just call 988 and press 1 to speak with someone who will understand.

Trump's VA Secretary is threatening to take away veterans' freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. Under its proposed rule, VA would no longer provide abortion care and counseling for vets in circumstances of rape, incest, or health risks.

Eight years ago, the Forever GI Bill was signed into law. The Forever GI Bill ensured veterans, survivors, and their families would never face a deadline to use the education benefits our veterans earned during their service.

Today, we celebrate the Navajo code-talkers who ensured American victories across the Pacific Theater in WWII. We are proud to continue to celebrate their bravery and service- in spite of the Trump Administration’s efforts to delete them from DoDs websites earlier this year.

FDR signed Social Security into law 90 years ago. In 2024, an estimated 7.7 million veterans received Social Security benefits. These benefits are vital for veterans, but they can be challenging to navigate. Know the difference:

Veterans are dropping out of college after facing huge GI Bill Benefit delays. Federal workforce cuts are impacting VA benefits even if they are happening at other agencies. To read further about these direct impacts: hechingerreport.org/complete-nig...

📢Are you looking for a way to stay informed on veterans' issues? @democrats-veterans.house.gov just relaunched their newsletter with updates on committee hearings, key legislation, and veteran-related news. 📧 Sign up: democrats-veterans.house.gov/contact/stay...

🚨OIG just released its VHA staffing report which identified severe occupational staffing shortages at the facility level. VHA facilities reported a total of 4,434 severe occupational staffing shortages, a 50% increase from FY 2024.   RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement:

Veterans shouldn't feel this way- this is unacceptable. Have you felt uneasy about the changes occurring at VA? Share your story here: democrats-veterans.house.gov/testimonials

On Agent Orange Awareness Day, we recognize the scars far deeper than the eye can see that were left on Vietnam veterans. Herbicides like Agent Orange exposed our veterans to toxins that will affect them and their families for the rest of their lives.

Today marks 3 years of Honoring Our PACT. ✅ 6.3M toxic exposure screenings ✅ 1.9M new claims approved ✅ $4.87B invested in research, screenings and care ✅ Millions of veterans and their families finally getting the care and benefits they've earned

In light of the appalling recent announcement made by VA, we feel it is crucial to remind veterans and VA employees that two weeks ago every single HVAC Republicans voted against a measure to protect and restore collective bargaining rights for VA employees.

Veterans served our country with honor. The Trump Administration is repaying them by slashing their benefits, taking food off their tables, and threatening their health care. It's more important than ever that we advocate for them and the benefits they stand to lose.

Join @democrats-veterans.house.gov in thanking & honoring Purple Heart recipients for their heroic sacrifices in protecting our nation's freedoms. We stand with Purple Heart recipients & their families, grateful for their commitment to defending our liberties.

🚨 VA just terminated collective bargaining agreements for most union employees—a direct attack on workers' rights and veterans' care. RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social and @democrats-veterans.house.gov released the following statement: democrats-veterans.house.gov/news/press-r...