Discussion · House of Representatives
Mark Takano Democrat
“I want the House to vote against this bill. Veterans do not want it. It cuts benefits for some veterans to pay for benefits for others.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Throughout this process, I have tried to stay up to date on what veterans are saying online about the so-called Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. I found the discussions to be enlightening. Before my colleagues say I have cherry-picked those comments, I urge them to pull out their phones and take a look at the comment sections on any social media post discussing this bill. It will become clear to you that opposition to this legislation is coming from veterans on both sides of the aisle. Let’s take a look. I am quoting from the comments: ``This creates two tiers of veterans.’’ ``Veterans should not have to take a reduced amount to provide savings to pay for fellow veterans. The U.S. Government should honor their commitment to us.’’ ``This is a false choice. Find the funds without making veterans literally pay the cost.’’ ``If they truly cared, they wouldn’t rob all veterans to pay for this as there are plenty of other ways to fund this act.’’ ``Pitting veterans against veterans.’’ ``You taught us to take care of each other; this bill contradicts that.’’ There are thousands more just like this from veterans in each of our districts telling us to vote ``no’’ on this bad bill. If my colleagues won’t listen to my concerns here, I urge them to listen to the veterans, dependents, caregivers, survivors, and advocates in their districts. We cannot today, tomorrow, or ever balance budgets on the backs of veterans who have already sacrificed so much for their country. Instead, we must honor the contract we made with our Nation’s veterans and reject the false choice Chairman Bost has foisted upon us. I join the millions of veterans across the country who vehemently oppose H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, and urge everyone to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Throughout this process, I have tried to stay up to date on what veterans are saying online about the so-called Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. I found the discussions to be enlightening. Before my colleagues say I have cherry-picked those comments, I urge them to pull out their phones and take a look at the comment sections on any social media post discussing this bill. It will become clear to you that opposition to this legislation is coming from veterans on both sides of the aisle. Let’s take a look. I am quoting from the comments: ``This creates two tiers of veterans.’’ ``Veterans should not have to take a reduced amount to provide savings to pay for fellow veterans. The U.S. Government should honor their commitment to us.’’ ``This is a false choice. Find the funds without making veterans literally pay the cost.’’ ``If they truly cared, they wouldn’t rob all veterans to pay for this as there are plenty of other ways to fund this act.’’ ``Pitting veterans against veterans.’’ ``You taught us to take care of each other; this bill contradicts that.’’ There are thousands more just like this from veterans in each of our districts telling us to vote ``no’’ on this bad bill. If my colleagues won’t listen to my concerns here, I urge them to listen to the veterans, dependents, caregivers, survivors, and advocates in their districts. We cannot today, tomorrow, or ever balance budgets on the backs of veterans who have already sacrificed so much for their country. Instead, we must honor the contract we made with our Nation’s veterans and reject the false choice Chairman Bost has foisted upon us. I join the millions of veterans across the country who vehemently oppose H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, and urge everyone to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.