Letters Sent
Currently showing results in the 113th Congress where the type is news_article
United Press International: House passes farm bill on strength of GOP vote
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 … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Politico: Lawmaker takes red pen to immigration letter
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 … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
KPCC: Congressman and former teacher Mark Takano gives GOP immigration letter an 'F'
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 … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
The Press Enterprise: Takano invites Obama, flunks GOP
Rep. Mark Takano spent time this week dealing with letters about immigration reform. But they weren’t from his constituents. Takano, D-Riverside, sent a letter to President Barack Obama inviting him to the Inland Empire. The president is considering traveling across the country to discuss immigration reform, which passed the Democratic-controlled Senate but faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Takano’s 41st Congressional District includes … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Gawker: Teacher-Lawmaker Schools Republicans Who Oppose Immigration Bill
A Democratic congressman from California who spent 23 years teaching British literature decided to go old school on Republican lawmakers who oppose the comprehensive immigration reform bill - by grading a letter they wrote to House Speaker John Boehner expressing their position on the matter.Mark Takano, who incidentally is the first non-white openly gay member of Congress and whose parents spent time in a "War Relocation Camp" during WWII, took issue with the draft letter that's … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
NBC News: Democratic senators who passed DOMA 17 years ago cheer its end; Republicans mostly quiet
Even in an institution where nothing seems to change, 17 years makes a big difference.In 1996, the federal Defense of Marriage Act passed both houses of Congress with overwhelming majorities of both parties. There had never been anyone elected to either body who was openly gay when they ran for office. Even now-Vice President Joe Biden, then a senator, voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman for the purpose of federal benefits.No more. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court declared … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
The New York Times: Seeing a Step Toward Equality, or a Spark to Fight Gay Marriage
WASHINGTON - Supporters of same-sex marriage celebrated the Supreme Court rulings on Wednesday as landmark decisions that brought the nation closer to full equality. Opponents said the court had badly overreached in striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, and they vowed to press on against same-sex marriage in the courts and through a constitutional ban."This doesn't end it," said Representative Tim Huelskamp, Republican of Kansas. "If anything, it's been ignited and continues to be … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
CBS News: "Fabulous - I feel every gay word I can think of": Rep. Takano on SCOTUS rulings
Gay Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., celebrated the Supreme Court's rulings that cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California and deemed unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act. [[{"fid":"324","view_mode":"full","type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":"297","width":"467","class":"media-element … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
The New York Times: Openly Gay Members of Congress Celebrate Decision
Representative Mark Takano, a freshman Democrat from California, was maligned as a "homosexual liberal" and a "nutzoid" when he first ran for office two decades ago. Now he is one of the seven openly gay, lesbian or bisexual members of Congress.As he stood on the sidewalk outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday, he said he was overjoyed at how far the country had come in just a short time."I'm elated. It's a huge, huge step forward for freedom and equality. And I'm hopeful about what this … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Talking Points Memo: Openly Gay CA Rep. Predicts Clerks Will Begin Issuing Marriage Licenses Today
Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) called the Supreme Court's ruling on his state's Proposition 8 a "step forward for equality and freedom" -- and went as far as to predict that clerks in California would begin issuing marriage licenses Wednesday."I imagine some forward-looking clerks may issue marriage licenses in California today," Takano told MSNBC. "I challenge clerks in California to do so."Takano told MSNBC that he "sensed a change" in his district … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
The Press Enterprise: GAY MARRIAGE Takano praises Prop. 8 ruling
U.S. Rep. Mark Takano praised the U.S. Supreme Court's invalidation of Prop. 8, calling it "an enormous victory for the ideals of our nation."Takano, a Riverside Democrat who in November became the first openly gay member of Congress from California, was on the steps of the Supreme Court awaiting the decision with thousands of others. The crowd erupted in cheers when the court first struck down the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act, which barred federal recognition of gay and lesbian … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
The Raw Story: Pelosi responds to Bachmann’s DOMA comments: ‘Who cares?’
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act sent lawmakers on both sides of the aisle bounding off in search of open microphones, a race to rapidly respond that led to some very knee-jerk reactions.Tea party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., bemoaned the DOMA verdict, castigating the high court for wading into spiritual territory."Marriage was created by the hand of God. No man, not even a Supreme Court, can undo what a holy god has instituted," Bachmann … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Roll Call: Democrats Beat Up GOP for DOMA Spending
House Democrats ripped GOP leadership Wednesday for spending millions defending the Defense of Marriage Act after the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that it violated the Constitution."It's an outrage that they would use their status as the majority party to waste taxpayer money," said freshman Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., an openly gay member of Congress, as he stood in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday. "It's really clear now that Republicans wasted that money … instead of focusing … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
The Press Enterprise: Riverside City College president testifies to Congress about veterans
Community colleges must "rethink the basics," including how to help veterans transition into civilian life from military duty and how to best introduce veterans to college life, Riverside City College President Cynthia Azari told a congressional subcommittee on Thursday, June 20.Azari spoke before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs about higher education programs for veterans and the impacts of recent congressional and presidential actions related to student veteran data … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Daily Kos: From Netroots Nation: Weak Democrats Vs. Strong Progressives
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is at Netroots Nation, and our co-founder Adam Green is on a panel titled "Weak Democrats Vs. Strong Progressives: Lessons From The Social Security Fight" alongside Reps. Alan Grayson (D-FL) and Mark Takano (D-CA) and Credo Mobile's Becky Bond talking about how progressives build political power.Blogger Heather "Digby" Parton will be hosting, and we will use the panel to discuss how progressives have been fighting President … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Environment & Energy Publishing: Conservation a priority among 100-plus farm bill amendments chosen for debate
The House this week will vote on a bipartisan provision that would require farmers to comply with basic conservation requirements in order to receive subsidies for crop insurance.If passed, the measure would represent a major win for rural conservation groups, which have identified it as their top priority in the reauthorization of the five-year farm bill. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) introduced the measure this week as an amendment to the bill."It is a … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
The Huffington Post: 'NOH8 on the Hill III' Draws Support From 67 Members of Congress (PHOTOS)
In a shoot timed to coincide with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of DOMA and Proposition 8, the NOH8 Campaign today released NOH8 portraits for the 67 Members of Congress who took part in its third NOH8 on The Hill event, which took place in Washington, D.C., on June 13.NOH8 on The Hill III marked the first time ever a U.S. senator has posed for a NOH8 photo. Not one, but two senators participated in the shoot: Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sen. Richard … Continue Reading
June 19, 2013
The Washington Blade: End of the movement?
With the Supreme Court wrestling with some of our biggest issues and marriage rights expanding around the country, we asked several LGBT folks from all walks of life if the end of the movement could be near. Specifically, we asked:"Have we reached a turning point in the LGBT rights movement and what does the end of the movement look like to you?"Their answers will delight, surprise, provoke - and make you think.U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.):"The LGBT rights movement is undoubtedly at a … Continue Reading
June 19, 2013
The Huffington Post: 17 LGBT Political Moments That Made Us Proud This Year
Happy Pride Month! In honor of the occasion, we're taking a look at some of the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) political moments that made us proud during the last 12 months. From President Barack Obama addressing LGBT citizens during his State of the Union address and Morehouse College commencement speech to Tammy Baldwin becoming the first openly gay senator in the United States, there were a slew of amazing moments, with each giving us a reason to smile and … Continue Reading
June 14, 2013
The Hill: Several House lawmakers new to Capitol Hill have a common problem: student loans.
Both Democrats and Republicans in their first terms in the lower chamber disclosed student loans as liabilities on their 2012 financial disclosure reports, which were released on Friday.Freshman Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) disclosed a $100,000 loan from the Education Department for a Cornell University MBA. The debt was incurred in December 2011, according to his report for last year.Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) also listed a student loan valued at $15,000 as a liability for last year, which … Continue Reading