tape and strengthens the claims appeals processes. This is not about a
cutting of benefits. It is about advancing services with some
modernization initiatives, as well.
  We owe our veterans more than the words of gratitude. We owe them
this action. We owe them the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I will point out that yesterday, House Republicans released a $95
billion supplemental for the reconciliation bill they want to bring
forward next week for Pentagon spending, farm assistance, and
intelligence operations all without offsets. We are talking about $95
billion--none of them with an offset. Yet, we are asking our veterans
to pay for this bill. Only in the case of veterans is the chairman
looking for an offset.
  I defy the chairman to tell me whether he will ask for an offset for
the $95 billion supplemental that goes to Pentagon spending, farm
assistance, and intelligence operations. I eagerly await to hear his
answer.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the
Northern Mariana Islands (Ms. King-Hinds), my good friend.
  Ms. KING-HINDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to lend my voice
in strong support of H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans
Act.
  This comprehensive package is designed to address the critical needs
of our Nation's veterans.
  The legislation represents a meaningful step forward closing resource
gaps that have persisted for far too long. Among its provisions are
vital improvements for veterans affected by traumatic brain injuries,
expanded survivor benefits, and increased access to medical care in the
U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States.
  I am proud to note that two bills I authored are included in this
package. First is the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans'
Essential Lifecare, or TRAVEL Act. This provision, which already passed
in the House, establishes a VA program enabling physicians to travel to
the U.S. territories and deliver essential medical care directly to
veterans.
  The second bill, the U.S. Vets of the Freely Associated States Act,
empowers the VA to provide telehealth services and mail prescriptions
to veterans residing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. These Pacific Island
countries are among our closest allies whose citizens serve in our
military at exceptionally high rates, yet they lack access to basic
care and benefits. This legislation will help remedy that inequity.
  The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is not just important. It is
urgent. Our veterans deserve the best we can offer, and this package
delivers on that promise.
  I thank Chairman Bost for his leadership and dedication to veterans
everywhere. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage
of H.R. 9237.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I continue to ask the chairman in advance of a $95 billion
supplemental for Pentagon spending, farm assistance, and intelligence
operation, on none of this are the Republicans seeking an offset? Only
the chairman in this particular case when it comes to our veterans is
demanding that veterans pay for veterans.
  We could pass this bill without having to ask veterans to pay for
veterans--actually, for disabled veterans to pay for veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask the chairman again: Does he plan to seek an
offset or demand an offset for the $95 billion supplemental for
Pentagon spending, farm assistance, and intelligence operations, none
of which Republicans are intending to pay for? Their rules and their
policy is to make veterans pay for veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am ready to
close.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In listening to the chairman today and at the Rules Committee several
weeks ago, it is clear to me that he has been picking his words very
carefully. He has been very specific that this bill, the so-called Take
Care of America's Veterans Act, would not impair current veterans.

  I am not sure if the chairman fully understands how the disability
benefits system works or if he truly believes what he is saying, but
what he is saying isn't even remotely the full truth.
  The bill can and will lead to cuts for those who already have
service-connected disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus. This
is because anytime a veteran applies for a rating increase or applies
for a new rating for some other condition, VA can and does review
previous ratings, sometimes even lowering them.
  It is foolish to think that VA won't apply the new rules for sleep
apnea and tinnitus when veterans have their ratings reviewed.
  Further, his remarks fail to take into consideration two other
critically important populations here. First, these cuts would make
servicemembers currently serving who may be incurring these injuries
right now ineligible to receive compensation for service-connected
tinnitus or sleep apnea. Those servicemembers President Trump keeps
sending into harm's way in this foolish war with Iran would be
ineligible for these benefits. That should give us all pause.
  Let me just say a ``yes'' vote on this bill is a message that we are
sending to the servicemembers currently serving in and around the
waters of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and our servicemembers that are
stationed at bases who have already faced incoming missile fire and
have been subjected to the blasts that have surely affected their
eardrums, we are saying to them that they will not be able to apply to
make claims based on tinnitus, much less sleep apnea. That is the
message a ``yes'' vote will send to them. That is why I say vote
``no.''
  In addition, the chairman and his colleagues fail to acknowledge that
the existing veterans who have yet to file a claim for tinnitus or
sleep apnea--I am talking about a group of people not the current
servicemembers, but veterans who have yet to apply for a rating--these
two groups of veterans, that is, current servicemembers and veterans
who have yet to file, will be treated worse than those that came before
them.
  This contract will unilaterally be changed on them and for the worse.
How my Republican colleagues are okay with treating two veterans with
the same exact condition differently is beyond me.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the largest cut to veterans' disability benefits
in history being used to pay for this bill when Republicans are not
demanding offsets for $95 billion next week. I don't know how you all
can live with yourselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the
balance of my time.

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