Press Releases
Takano Rebukes Executive Order Illegally Dismantling the Department of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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 … Continue Reading
March 17, 2025
Statement on the Passing of Representative Nita Lowey
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Takano released the following statement on the passing of Rep. Nita Lowey:“I had the privilege of serving along side Congresswoman Nita Lowey for nearly a decade in Congress until her retirement in 2020," said Congressman Takano. "She always warm and friendly, but beneath that grandmotherly exterior was woman who wielded enormous influence quietly and effectively. I thought of her as “non-showy Lowey.” A pioneer in many ways, she was one of the few women … Continue Reading
March 13, 2025
Statement on the Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Takano released the following statement on the passing of Rep. Raúl Grijalva:"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend Raúl Grijalva. He first came into my awareness when he was among the first to endorse former Vermont Governor Howard Dean for President in 2003/2004. We forged a deep friendship when I was first elected to Congress in 2012. He was instrumental in insisting that I lead the fight in Congress on the issue of deported veterans. I … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Takano Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Guarantee Overtime Pay for Truckers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) reintroduced the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act. This legislation would eliminate the current existing exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 that exempts truckers from receiving overtime compensation. The bipartisan legislation is co-led by Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02); Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) are introducing the companion bill in the Senate. “Truckers are vital for … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Takano Blasts Leaked Executive Order Illegally Dismantling the Department of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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 public reports of an Executive Order directing Secretary McMahon to begin illegally dissolving the Department of Education: “This is a blatant attack on public schools and students. If Secretary McMahon follows through on President Trump’s illegal Executive Order, she will go down in history as the … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Takano, Duckworth Reintroduce the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act on Japanese American Day of Remembrance
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on Japanese American Day of Remembrance, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced bicameral legislation to prohibit the detention or imprisonment based on their race, nationality, or any other perceived characteristic. This bill is co-led with the two other Japanese American Representatives in the House, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (HI-02)and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07); in the Senate, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) is … Continue Reading
February 06, 2025
Takano Leads 96 Members of Congress in Requesting Meeting with the Department of Education on Illegal Plans to Dismantle Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), a former public school teacher and now a Senior Member of the Committee on Education & the Workforce, led 96 Members of Congress in writing to Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, Denise Carter, requesting an urgent meeting regarding the Trump Administration’s reported effort to illegally dismantle the Department without Congressional action. The text reads as follows: As Members of Congress, we are requesting an urgent … Continue Reading
February 04, 2025
Takano, Rutherford Relaunch the Bipartisan Congressional Deaf Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C.?- Today, U.S. Congressmen Mark Takano (CA-39) and John H. Rutherford (FL-05)relaunched the Congressional Deaf Caucus for the 119th Congress. Takano and Rutherford will serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan caucus dedicated to advocating for accessibility policies and bolstering the relationship between members of Congress and their Deaf and hard of hearing constituents. “I am proud to relaunch the Congressional Deaf Caucus with Rep. Rutherford for the 119th Congress to … Continue Reading
January 31, 2025
Takano: Trump Must Pledge to Stay Out of NTSB’s Investigation into DC Crash
RIVERSIDE, CA — Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), called on President Donald Trump to publicly pledge to the American people that he will not interfere with or politicize the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the tragic air accident above Washington, D.C. just days ago. Instead of explaining to the American people how he would make air travel safer or commit to transparency, Trump jumped to premature conclusions and attacked DEI policies with no evidence … Continue Reading
January 30, 2025
Rep. Takano Joins CAPAC Leadership in Condemning President Trump’s Attempt to Blame DEI Policies on Aviation Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, Representative Mark Takano joined the leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in issuing the following statement in response to President Trump’s attempt to blame diversity, equity, and inclusion policies following a horrific aviation tragedy in Washington, D.C. “As families grieve the loss of their loved ones in last night’s aviation crash, President Trump does not offer any semblance of compassion or leadership. Instead, he is … Continue Reading
January 30, 2025
Rep. Takano Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Honoring Fred Korematsu
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), the First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced a legislative package to honor the life of civil rights icon Fred Korematsu. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. “Fred Korematsu stood up for the over 125,000 Japanese Americans, including my parents, who were incarcerated under an unlawful executive order,” said Congressman Takano. “I am proud to partner … Continue Reading
January 28, 2025
Rep. Takano Blasts Trump Admin’s Unlawful Funding Freeze
RIVERSIDE, CA - Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), blasted the Trump Administration’s directive outlined in an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that will freeze all grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance beginning later today at 5:00 p.m. ET. “President Trump and Republicans are stealing from Americans,” said Rep. Takano. “This illegal directive from the Administration withholds huge amounts of money from programs that working people all across our country rely … Continue Reading
January 15, 2025
Rep. Takano Hails Gaza Ceasefire Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mark Takano, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, hailed the prospective Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. “After 15 months of bloodshed and heartbreak, today hopefully marks the beginning of a new chapter,” said Rep. Takano. “It has been innocents who have suffered the most—too often unseen, unacknowledged, and yet relentlessly all the same. May we never forget the cruel and terrible cost they have borne and rush … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Rep. Takano Condemns DOD Nominee Pete Hegseth’s Attacks on LGBTQ+ Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mark Takano, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to Congress, released the following statement following a CNN report on comments from President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, regarding LGBTQ+ servicemembers and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT): “Attacking policies that allow LGBTQ+ servicemembers to serve in uniform openly is a disgrace,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
December 11, 2024
Rep. Takano Opposes FY25 NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. “The NDAA should be a bipartisan bill that bolsters our national security and takes care of our servicemembers,” said Congressman Mark Takano. “This year’s NDAA is not that. Instead, MAGA Republicans are using the FY25 NDAA as a vehicle to inflict their radical, anti-LGBTQ+ views on servicemembers and their families. “There are good parts to this … Continue Reading
December 10, 2024
House Passes $100 Million in Water Infrastructure Upgrades for Riverside County
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, the House of Representatives passedthe Thomas R. Carper Water Resource Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which includes $100 million in total funding for Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EWMD) South Perris Desalination Program. This bicameral and bipartisanpackage will help support the proposed Stage II desalination program, which is expected to add up to 5.4 million gallons of potable water daily for EWMD customers. Earlier this year, Reps. Takano and Ruiz secured … Continue Reading
December 04, 2024
Rep. Takano Elected First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) elected Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) to serve as its First Vice-Chair for the 119th Congress. “It is an honor to serve as the next First Vice-Chair of CAPAC, and I thank my CAPAC colleagues for their trust in me for this position,” said Rep. Takano. “We face tremendous challenges in the years ahead. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders must stand together against the tide of hateful policies that … Continue Reading
November 25, 2024
Rep. Takano Congratulates DOL Sec. Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Calls for Overtime Protections
RIVERSIDE, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), who has led a number of Congressional efforts to make sure workers are paid their fair share for the overtime they work, released the following statement congratulating Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL) and called for overtime protections for working Americans: “I offer my warm congratulations to Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to lead the Department of Labor. I served with … Continue Reading
October 25, 2024
Rep. Takano Hails President Biden’s Historic Apology on Indian Boarding Schools
RIVERSIDE, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement hailing President Biden’s historic apology on Indian boarding schools: “To look to the future sometimes means acknowledging the sins of the past, which is why President Biden’s historic apology on Indian boarding schools is so important. Coming from a family of Japanese Americans who endured the incarceration camps of World War II, I know firsthand the power of the government acknowledging and striving to repair … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Rep. Takano’s Statement on One-Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack
RIVERSIDE, CA — Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israeli civilians: “This October 7th marks a solemn and heavy occasion, as we remember the more than 1,200 Israeli civilians killed and the hundreds more that were taken hostage by Hamas. More Jews were killed on that awful day than on any day since the Holocaust, and the repercussions of Hamas’s terrorism are still with us today. “The subsequent … Continue Reading