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April 10, 2025

— Today, Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) introduced the PROTECT Students Act, first of its kind legislation to codify student protections against fraud in every step of the college experience. This is companion legislation to a bill introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).  The PROTECT Students Act addresses several areas of the college experience to ensure that students are protected: Increases oversight by creating uniform reporting and data gathering practices to ensure that compl…  Continue Reading

April 09, 2025

Today, Reps. Mark Takano (CA-39) and Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12) introduced a resolution to support the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the companion resolution in the Senate and coincides with the Annual Day of (No) Silence. “LGBTQ+ students’ right to exist has become a national debate,” said Congressman Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “As a former public school teacher, I know how these attacks from the President…  Continue Reading

March 20, 2025

— Representative Mark Takano (CA-39), a former public school teacher and senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, released the following statement following President Trump signing an Executive Order directing Secretary McMahon to begin illegally dismantling the Department of Education:  “Secretary McMahon has been directed to deny American students their right to a free and fair education,” said Rep. Takano. “It is impossible to complete the work the Department of Education…  Continue Reading


July 12, 2013

Over rancorous Democratic objections, the Republican-led U.S. House passed a farm bill Thursday that does not include reauthorization of the food stamp program. The vote was 216-208. No Democrats voted for the bill. During the nearly seven hours of debate on the legislation, Democrats repeatedly called their Republican counterparts heartless, callous and cruel for their efforts to pass a farm bill with nutrition programs stripped from it. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., was one of many Democrats …  Continue Reading

July 11, 2013

Rep. Mark Takano, a former high school teacher, took a red pen to a letter about immigration reform some of his Republican colleagues were circulating. The California Democrat "graded" the two-page unsigned letter, giving it an F and asking the writers to "see me after votes," posting a copy on his Tumblr page. He was okay with the first sentence, "Our immigration system is broken and in need of serious reform," saying it was a "strong thesis." Even when the Republicans said they wanted a secure…  Continue Reading

July 11, 2013

You can take the teacher out of the classroom — even send him to Congress — but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher. Or take away his red pencil. Before coming to Washington, freshman Democrat Mark Takano taught English for 23 years — mostly at Rialto High School. He must have been a tough grader. In the midst of the heated Congressional debate over immigration, Takano tries humor — a bit of political fun at the expense of his GOP colleagues. Republican House members were circulat…  Continue Reading


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