Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am painfully aware of the toll this pandemic has taken on our Nation's veterans. I hear from veterans who are struggling to find work as unemployment numbers rise. I hear from veterans who have had their critical compensation and pension exams postponed, delaying much-needed benefits.

Sadly, we have lost over 8,900 veterans and 120 VA staff to the pandemic so far.

Across the Nation and at the height of the pandemic, veterans have stepped up to serve their country, a trait not uncommon for the thousands of veterans whose services continue even after they pack away their uniforms. Their service as first responders and healthcare workers battling COVID-19; as essential employees keeping our economy moving, packages delivered, and hospitals sterilized has served as an example of how strong America can be when we act together.

Despite all of the setbacks our Nation has faced, it is our duty to be optimistic. Our veterans have shown the way.

Mr. Speaker, VA has responded to crises across the country through its Fourth Mission, even landing on the Capitol Grounds yesterday to deploy mobile vet centers to support U.S. Capitol Police, members of the National Guard, and the congressional staff after the insurrection on January 6.

Throughout this pandemic, veterans and VA have continued to step up and serve their communities, not just their fellow veterans.

The time for decisive action is now. Passing this resolution does not negate the need for bipartisan cooperation. The need now is real, and the pain caused by this pandemic is deep. The best way to provide direct relief to the American people and continue serving all those who have served is to act fast and to do it now. We cannot afford to wait for higher case counts, for additional variants of the virus to emerge, for more Americans to go without work or watch their savings dwindle. We must act fast, and that is why we are here today.

I just will say to the gentleman from Missouri that I know that we have billions of dollars that came to the State of California, but I would like to remind the gentleman that California is a net donor State, including money that I am sure has gone to the State of Missouri.

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