Press Releases
Rep. Takano Praises Inclusion of Provision to Close the “90-10 Loophole” in the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, praised the inclusion of a provision that would close the "90-10 loophole" which allows predatory for-profit educational institutions to exploit veterans and waste the GI Bill benefits veterans have earned in the latest COVID-19 relief package. "Predatory for-profit colleges have taken advantage of the '90-10 loophole' to cheat veterans and servicemembers out of their education benefits … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Rep. Takano and Sen. Hirono Renew Efforts to Award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced bicameral legislation to award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his legacy of fighting against the illegal incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and for being a staunch defender of civil rights. "Fred Korematsu was a fierce advocate for justice, a civil rights icon, and a defender of the rights of all people. In the face of injustice … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
The Equality Caucus Applauds Biden Administration for the Reversal of the Transgender Military Ban
Washington, D.C. - The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus today expressed its appreciation for the steps taken by the Biden Administration to reverse the harmful ban on transgender people serving openly in the military. This policy, which has harmed both the individuals impacted and the nation's security, is overdue for reversal. "Anyone willing to serve our country in the Armed Forces should be treated with respect and dignity," said Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01). "I am … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on President Biden Reversing the Trans Military Ban
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after President Biden signed an executive order reversing the discriminatory trans military ban. "By reversing the discriminatory trans military ban, President Biden is signaling to all of our troops that their service is welcome and appreciated in the United States of America. To have this be one of his first acts as Commander in Chief is a relief after four years of bigoted attacks against trans people, and it's a … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on His Vote to Impeach President Donald Trump
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement on his vote to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. "Today, I voted to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting a violent and deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. I took this solemn action in accordance with the oath I swore to support and defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. "President Trump has shown himself to be a clear and … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Rep. Takano to Vote for Resolution Calling on Vice President Pence to Invoke the 25th Amendment to Remove Trump from Office
Washington, D.C. - Tonight, following last Wednesday's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol incited by President Trump, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) will vote in support of H. Res. 21, a resolution calling upon Vice President Mike Pence to immediately use his powers under section 4 of the 25th Amendment to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments to declare that the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office, and to transmit to … Continue Reading
January 06, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano: “Our democracy will prevail.”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement on the Electoral College votes certification process in Congress for the 2020 presidential election. "The insurrection that occurred at the U.S. Capitol today as Congress was carrying out its Constitutional duty was enabled and provoked by President Trump. The president incited an attack on our democracy and our democratic process, and for that, he must be impeached immediately and be barred from holding federal … Continue Reading
January 05, 2021
Rep. Takano’s Legislation to Rename Riverside Post Office After Waudieur “Woodie” Rucker-Hughes Becomes Law
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after President Trump signed H.R. 5983 into law, legislation Rep. Takano introduced to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4150 Chicago Avenue in Riverside, CA as the "Woodie Rucker-Hughes Post Office Building." "I am thrilled that my bill to rename the Riverside Post Office after the irreplaceable and unforgettable Woodie Rucker-Hughes was signed into law," said Rep. Mark Takano. … Continue Reading
January 03, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano is Sworn in to the 117th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) was sworn in to serve in the 117th Congress. This will be his fifth term representing California's 41st District and his second term serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "As we gavel in the 117th Congress, our nation is facing one of the worst public health and economic crises in our history. Today we mourn the loss of 350,000 Americans who have passed away due to COVID-19, nearly 2,000 of them in Riverside … Continue Reading
December 28, 2020
Rep. Takano Votes to Override President Trump’s Veto of the NDAA
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after voting to override President Trump's veto of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "President Trump vetoed the NDAA over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a policy that he is massively misinformed about that has nothing to do with the underlying legislation. I voted to override his veto because the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA includes important provisions that will provide veterans with … Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on the Passage of $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Package
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of H.R. 133, a government funding bill that includes $900 billion in COVID-19 relief. "As the pandemic rages on, thousands of families in Riverside County, and millions more across the country, have been waiting far too long for more support from the federal government. It is a disgrace that Congressional Republicans blocked the meaningful assistance for families that was included in the House-passed … Continue Reading
December 15, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on the Historic Nomination of Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement on the nomination of Mayor Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Secretary of Transportation: "The nomination of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, an openly gay man, as U.S. Secretary of Transportation is monumental. Never in our history has a member of the LGBTQ+ community served in a Cabinet role - we cannot understate the progress that we have made as a country. Decades of activism, predominantly by Black and brown trans and queer people, have led … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Rep. Takano leads 14 Members in Sending a Letter to Biden Transition in Support of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) along with fourteen Members of Congress sent a letter to the Biden Transition Team recommending Julie Su, who currently serves as the Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for the Cabinet position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. In the letter, the Members state "Secretary Su is a daughter of immigrants who would bring a diversity of thought and experience to your cabinet. As we separate ourselves from the … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Rep. Takano’s Legislation to Rename Riverside Post Office After Waudieur “Woodie” Rucker-Hughes Passes the House
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the House passage of his legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4150 Chicago Avenue in Riverside, CA as the "Woodie Rucker-Hughes Post Office Building." "It was a joyous moment when my colleagues in the House unanimously voted to pass my bill to rename the Riverside Post Office after an icon in our community who I was lucky to call a friend, Woodie Rucker-Hughes," … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
NDAA Passes with Key Takano Provision to Prevent the Consolidation of Defense Media Activity and Protect 300 Jobs at March Air Reserve Base
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) secured language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2021, which passed the House today, to prevent the Department of Defense's (DOD) consolidation of Defense Media Activity (DMA) and protect roughly 300 jobs at March Air Reserve Base (MARB) in Moreno Valley. DOD has been considering the relocation and consolidation of DMA functions stationed at MARB. The potential consolidation threatens to move some or all DMA functions outside … Continue Reading
October 06, 2020
Rep. Takano Wins Democracy Award for Exemplary Public Service
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) received a Democracy Award, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF)'s distinctive honors program recognizing non-legislative achievement in operations and constituent service by congressional offices and Members of Congress. Rep. Takano has been selected for his outstanding accomplishments in Innovation and Modernization, a category that recognizes offices employing unique or innovative methods in their constituent interactions, … Continue Reading
October 05, 2020
Rep. Takano Introduces Legislation to Hold Law Enforcement Officers Accountable for Attacks on the Free Press
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced The Attacks on Free Press Transparency Act to create an electronic system within the Department of Justice (DOJ) for members of the press to report violent interactions with law enforcement. The bill addresses the blatant lack of information on law enforcement and their interactions with the press and will help ensure that if law enforcement agencies intentionally target members of the press to prevent them from reporting on the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of Updated Heroes Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of the updated Heroes Act. "For months, my colleagues and I have been working to deliver on our commitment to providing relief to millions of people while responding to the health and economic catastrophe caused by COVID-19. Today, I voted in support of the updated Heroes Act, a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package that builds on this commitment to protect lives, livelihoods, and the life of … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Rep. Takano and Rep. Vargas Send Letter to ICE Acting Director Following Reports of a Lack of COVID-19 Testing for Detainees
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Albence following a formal complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California regarding a lack of COVID-19 testing for detainees at the Adelanto Detention Center. In the letter, the Representatives state, "An official from the GEO Group, the company that manages Adelanto, made the public claim on … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on Trump Comments Regarding Fallen Servicemembers
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following an article in The Atlantic claiming President Donald Trump made disparaging comments about fallen servicemembers. "The claims made by Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic are jarring to read, yet, they would seem credible in light of what President Trump has said about veterans in the past. He ridiculed the late Senator John McCain for being shot down as a pilot during the Vietnam War. He has never apologized … Continue Reading