Press Releases
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
April 13, 2020
Rep. Takano Announces More Than $54 Million in Emergency COVID-19 Funding for Local Colleges and Universities
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced that colleges and universities in Riverside County would receive more than $54 million in emergency funding as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed on March 27. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed to students in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to help pay for housing, food, and other basic essentials. "Students have been … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the House. This historic $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package includes bold provisions secured by Democrats to protect the health and well-being of the American people. "After days of negotiations to include strong provisions that prioritize the health and financial well-being of the American people and hold corporations … Continue Reading
March 14, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in the House. "While President Trump is parading around with corporate CEOs and making lofty promises, House Democrats have taken action and passed sensible legislative solutions that put families first. During this public health emergency, Congress must address healthcare costs and lack of access to paid sick leave to meet the needs of working … Continue Reading
March 12, 2020
Rep. Takano and Education and Labor Committee Members Introduce Legislation to Secure Workers’ Access to Emergency Family and Medical Leave in Response to COVID-19
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), and Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act to ensure workers have access to extended, job-protected leave to care for themselves and their families amid the COVID-19 epidemic. The legislation significantly expands the number of U.S. workers who can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Rep. Takano Introduces Legislation to Rename Riverside Post Office After Waudieur “Woodie” Rucker-Hughes
Riverside, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4150 Chicago Avenue in Riverside as the "Woodie Rucker-Hughes Post Office Building." "I am thrilled to be honoring the life of an icon by renaming the Riverside Post Office after Woodie Rucker-Hughes," said Rep. Mark Takano. "Woodie spent her life working to demolish educational barriers, challenging injustices, and moving our community forward every … Continue Reading
February 29, 2020
Reps. Takano, Garamendi, and Peters Release Joint Statement After HHS Health Officials Fail to Provide Timely Briefing on HHS Whistleblower Complaint on Coronavirus Response
Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), and Scott Peters (D-Calif.), who represent districts in California where military bases that received evacuees from China are located, released this joint statement after HHS failed to provide them a briefing on the coronavirus response. The Members called for a timely briefing from senior health officials following a whistleblower complaint alleging improper training and procedures for HHS workers handling … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on Whistleblower Complaint Alleging Improper Training and Procedures for HHS Workers Handling Coronavirus Response at March Air Reserve Base
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released this statement following reports about a whistleblower complaint filed by a senior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official alleging that HHS workers were "improperly deployed" without adequate training or equipment to repatriate Americans from Wuhan, China. "I am extremely concerned and alarmed by the allegations a senior official at HHS has raised in a whistleblower complaint regarding HHS workers who received … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Rep. Takano Statement on the Day of Remembrance and California’s Apology to the Japanese American Community
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement on the 78th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and reacting to the formal apology the California State Legislature will issue to the Japanese American community for the role it played during Japanese internment. "78 years after Executive Order 9066 was signed, we reflect on the pain and suffering endured by Japanese Americans in internment … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Rep. Takano Leads Bipartisan Letter to HHS Requesting Reimbursement Guidelines for Expenses State and Local Governments Incurred in Response to Coronavirus
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led 16 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish guidelines for state and local governments to receive federal reimbursements for costs they incur in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. In the letter, the Representatives state, "The administration has already identified military bases and health facilities near 11 major airports that can support Americans evacuated from … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Rep. Mark Takano Daily Update on Coronavirus and Federal Quarantine Ordered for Repatriated U.S. Citizens at March Air Reserve Base 02.11.2020
Rep. Mark Takano is providing daily updates on the current federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base and coronavirus. Please read the information below for updates from local and federal agencies and latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano. This will be the last edition of Rep. Mark Takano's daily updates on the federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base barring any major developments regarding … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Rep. Mark Takano Daily Update on Coronavirus and Federal Quarantine Ordered for Repatriated U.S. Citizens at March Air Reserve Base 02.10.2020
Rep. Mark Takano is providing daily updates on the current federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base and coronavirus. Please read the information below for updates from local and federal agencies and latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano. 02/10/2020 Latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano: Monday, February 10, 2020 Office of Congressman Takano holds call with County of Riverside The Office of Congressman Takano … Continue Reading
February 09, 2020
Rep. Mark Takano Daily Update on Coronavirus and Federal Quarantine Ordered for Repatriated U.S. Citizens at March Air Reserve Base 02.09.2020
Rep. Mark Takano is providing daily updates on the current federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base and coronavirus. Please read the information below for updates from local and federal agencies and latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano. 02/09/2020 Latest update from the World Health Organization: Sunday, February 9, 2020 No new countries reported cases of 2019-nCoV in the past 24 hours. Update on Cruise Ship Diamond Princess: … Continue Reading
February 08, 2020
Rep. Mark Takano Daily Update on Coronavirus and Federal Quarantine Ordered for Repatriated U.S. Citizens at March Air Reserve Base 02.08.2020
Rep. Mark Takano is providing daily updates on the current federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base and coronavirus. Please read the information below for updates from local and federal agencies and latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano. 02/08/2020 Latest update from the World Health Organization: Saturday, February 8, 2020 No new countries reported cases of 2019-nCoV in the past 24 hours. The infection prevention and control … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Rep. Mark Takano Daily Update on Coronavirus and Federal Quarantine Ordered for Repatriated U.S. Citizens at March Air Reserve Base 02.07.2020
Rep. Mark Takano is providing daily updates on the current federal quarantine ordered for repatriated U.S. citizens at March Air Reserve Base and coronavirus. Please read the information below for updates from local and federal agencies and latest action from the Office of Congressman Mark Takano. 02/07/2020 Latest update from the County of Riverside: Thursday, February 6, 2020 As of 2/6/2020, the situation summary remains consistent with the information provided on 2/5/2020. The MH DOC … Continue Reading