Press Releases
TAKANO, MERKLEY LEAD REINTRODUCTION OF HISTORIC EQUALITY ACT TO BAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBTQ+ AMERICANS
Washington, D.C. - Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and New Jersey’s U.S. Senator Cory Booker for the bicameral reintroduction of the Equality Act in an effort to push back against escalated attacks from the Trump Administration, MAGA Republicans, and state legislatures on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide. In states across the country, over 850 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have … Continue Reading
April 10, 2025
Takano, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Protect Students Against Fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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 … Continue Reading
April 09, 2025
Takano, Simon, and Schatz Demand Fair Treatment for LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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 … Continue Reading
March 20, 2025
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