Press Releases
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of Infrastructure Package to Create Millions of Jobs, Fight Inequality, and Confront the Climate Crisis
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, in the House of Representatives. The Moving Forward Act will invest more than $1.5 trillion to rebuild America's infrastructure while creating millions of jobs, combating the climate crisis, and addressing the long-standing social and racial disparities that exist throughout the country. "The Moving Forward Act is the kind of forward-thinking approach we need to … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Rep. Takano Urges Riverside County Board of Supervisors to Issue Strong Local Public Health Orders Amid COVID-19 Surge
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement urging the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the Riverside County Public Health Officer to issue strong and enforceable local public health orders amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the county and following reports that hospital ICUs are at 98.7% capacity. "ICU beds in Riverside County are 98.7% full. This shocking statistic should alarm everyone in our community, and it should force us to assess what steps … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the House, a comprehensive, transformative piece of legislation to reform our justice system. "Addressing the racism that is so deeply-rooted in our institutions will not be fixed with sentiment alone, it is going to require bold legislative action. We have lost many innocent Black lives due to police brutality and racial profiling, and the … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Rep. Takano and Rep. Vargas Send Letter to ICE Acting Director on Reports of Improper Use of Toxic Chemicals to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19
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 reports of immigrant detainees falling ill and suffering ailments in the wake of the widespread use of a chemical disinfectant being used to combat the spread of COVID-19 at the Adelanto Detention Center. In the letter, the Representatives state, "Troubling reports have surfaced in light of an official complaint … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on SCOTUS Decision Affirming Non-Discrimination Protections for LGBTQ+ People in the Workplace
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following a 6-3 decision from the Supreme Court affirming that LGBTQ+ workers are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2012, Rep. Mark Takano became the first openly gay person of color elected to Congress. "For the past few weeks, the LGBTQ+ community has been fearfully awaiting this decision. Today, we celebrate this historic ruling and the progress we have made toward … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Congressional Leaders Condemn Trump Administration Assault on ACA’s Anti-Discrimination Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus released the following statement today condemning the finalized Trump administration rule that rolls back Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which protects individuals seeking health care services, including comprehensive reproductive health care, from discrimination on the basis … Continue Reading
June 02, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement Condemning Police Brutality and Demanding Greater Accountability for Police
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement condemning police brutality and demanding greater accountability for police following the death of George Floyd, which has sparked nationwide protests. "For the past several days, justice-seekers across the nation have been making their voices heard following the tragic death of George Floyd. Many are echoing his plea, 'I can't breathe,' as they protest the loss of yet another Black life at the hands of police. I join … Continue Reading
May 29, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on Trump Veto of Congressional Resolution to Protect Students from Predatory For-Profit Schools
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following President Trump's veto of a bipartisan Congressional Resolution to reverse the Department of Education's Borrower Defense rule. The Department's rule would deny debt relief to students defrauded by predatory colleges. "President Trump was presented with an opportunity to support a bipartisan effort to protect students from predatory for-profit schools, but once again, he has chosen to side with Secretary … Continue Reading
May 22, 2020
Rep. Takano Introduces Legislation to Create a Program Within DoD to Secure Job Opportunities for Veterans
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Work for Warriors Act of 2020 to create a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DoD) that ensures gainful employment for members of the National Guard, reservists, and their spouses. The bill is modeled after the California Work for Warriors program that connects with local businesses to identify job opportunities for veterans and their spouses and creates a pipeline of qualified candidates for willing … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of The Heroes Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of H.R. 6800, The Heroes Act. "The public health emergency our nation is facing requires immediate, bold action. That's why I voted in support of The Heroes Act, a bill that would provide families, workers, and veterans with the support they need to make it through this crisis. "As we live through these uncertain times, I continue hearing from families, workers, and small business owners in … Continue Reading
May 12, 2020
Reps. Takano, Clarke, and Espaillat Introduce Coronavirus Emergency Non-Congregate Housing Expansion Act
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) introduced the Coronavirus Emergency Non-Congregate Housing Expansion Act to make non-congregate sheltering expenses automatically eligible for full FEMA funding reimbursement under their Public Assistance funding during the current public health emergency. "States and local governments around the country are stepping up and looking out for the most at-risk and vulnerable … Continue Reading
May 06, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement On Riverside County Supervisors Board Meeting to Rescind Local COVID-19 Public Health Orders
Riverside, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following a Riverside County Supervisors Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 5 where the Board was set to vote on rescinding county COVID-19 public health orders. The vote on this proposal was rescheduled to Friday, May 8. At this meeting, Dr. Cameron Kaiser made compelling arguments for why his public health orders should stand. "Following yesterday's Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, I want to reiterate how crucial … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Takano, Durbin, Brown, Jayapal and Warren Unveil Plan to Grant Full Student Loan Discharges to Defrauded Student Borrowers in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
Washington, DC - Yesterday, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announced a plan that will grant full student loan discharges to three specific emergency categories of defrauded student borrowers. The plan would require eligible loans to be discharged within 30 days of enactment and provides timelines for the Department of Education to take other steps-such as correcting borrowers' credit … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement Opposing Riverside County Supervisors’ Proposal to Rescind County’s COVID-19 Health Orders
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement expressing opposition to Riverside County Supervisors' proposal to reverse certain COVID-19 public health orders mandated by Riverside County Public Health Officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser: "I am concerned by the Supervisors' proposal to rescind the COVID-19 public health orders made by Dr. Cameron Kaiser to keep our communities safe. Any actions related to public health made during this pandemic without consultation with … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Bipartisan Congressional Deaf Caucus Sends Letter to Vice President Mike Pence Calling for ASL Interpreters at Every COVID-19 Public Briefing
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA and Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL), co-Chairs of the Congressional Deaf Caucus sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence urging the White House Coronavirus Task Force to implement the use of sign language interpreters during all public briefings, especially for the administration's response to COVID-19. "During this pandemic, we are witnessing how important it is for all communications and public briefings to be accessible to everyone," said Rep. … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on Conditions at Adelanto ICE Detention Center During COVID-19 Pandemic
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement on the conditions faced by detainees at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all of us and necessary steps must be taken to keep people healthy and safe and to protect public health - that includes protecting immigrants in detention. It is concerning that officials at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center are not doing enough to protect detainees and prevent … Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on HHS Investigation Finding that HHS Officials Responding to Evacuees from Wuhan, China at March Air Reserve Base Lacked Proper Training and Equipment
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following reports that the Immediate Office of the General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that HHS officials responding to evacuees from Wuhan, China at March Air Reserve Base and other bases in California lacked adequate protective gear and equipment or training. "The findings of this investigation corroborate the allegations made in the whistleblower complaint filed by a senior … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe Introduce Legislation Requiring VA to Appoint Hearing Aid Specialists at VA Medical Centers
Washington, DC - Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe introduced legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to appoint at least one licensed hearing aid specialist at each VA Medical Center in the country. This legislation builds on the Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016 which granted VA authority to appoint licensed hearing aid specialists at VA medical centers, though they have so far failed … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in the House, a $484 billion relief package that provides funding to support small businesses, to help hospitals and healthcare workers, and to implement a national testing strategy. "I flew to Washington to cast my vote for this emergency coronavirus relief package because small businesses are in desperate need of support to stay … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Chairman Mark Takano’s GI Bill Fix for Student Veterans Impacted by COVID-19 Passes Senate
Washington, DC - Today, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano's bill, the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act, has passed the U.S. Senate and is headed to President Trump's desk for a signature. The bill allows student veterans to continue receiving certain housing, education, and work study benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would have otherwise been reduced or halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the nation faces the COVID-19 … Continue Reading