Press Releases
Rep. Takano Submits Public Comment to the FTC to Protect Online Consumers
Washington, D.C. - On November 21, 2019, Rep. Mark Takano submitted a public comment calling for the need to amend the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Negative Option Rule language to ensure that consumer protections keep pace with today's online marketplace. In the public comment, Rep. Mark Takano states, "I am encouraged that the Commission is now moving to consider necessary changes to the Negative Option Rule. It is the government's role to ensure that consumer protections keep pace … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019
Rep. Takano Submits Bicameral Public Comment Objecting to Proposed Rulemaking on Detainee DNA Collection
Washington, D.C. - On November 12, 2019, Rep. Mark Takano submitted a bicameral public comment objecting to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) proposed rulemaking demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) begin DNA collection from all detainees under DHS's care. Rep. Mark Takano, along with Senators Ed Markey (MA) and Patty Murray (WA) and Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) urge DOJ to abandon this proposed rule, and instead continue to work in tandem … Continue Reading
November 01, 2019
Rep. Takano Leads 24 Members in Sending Letter to DHS Expressing Concerns Over Detainee DNA Collection Practices
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) led 24 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan expressing concerns and objections to the news that DHS is planning to expand its existing DNA collection practices to immigrant detainees across the country. In the letter, the Representatives state, "Under this Administration's prejudicial lens, DHS opens the possibility of criminalizing any non-citizen who enters our country … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Education and Labor Committee Advances College Affordability Act with Key Provisions from Rep. Mark Takano
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) helped advance the College Affordability Act (CAA) in the Education and Labor Committee. The CAA is a comprehensive overhaul of higher education that ensures students can spend less and earn more to further their education. The legislation aims to lower the cost of college, improve the quality of higher education by holding institutions accountable, and expand opportunities for students from all backgrounds. The legislation includes key … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Rep. Mark Takano Votes for House Impeachment Inquiry Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released this statement after voting for H. Res. 660, a resolution that reaffirms the ongoing investigations in the House into President Donald Trump's abuses of power and establishes clear procedures for the committees of jurisdiction. "Today's vote was a solemn one - a necessary one. President Trump's abuse of power gives Congress no choice but to continue uncovering the facts for the American people in a public forum. The evidence that has … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Chairman Takano, Reps. Vargas and Grijalva Introduce Comprehensive Legislative Package to Prevent the Deportation of Veterans
Washington, DC - Today, Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-3) introduced the Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act of 2019 to prevent noncitizen veterans from being deported, improve tracking of noncitizen veterans in immigration proceedings, and bring certain eligible deported veterans back home. "It's true, immigrant veterans are falling through the cracks of our broken immigration system and being deported, and it's a … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Rep. Takano and Rep. Evans Introduce Bill to Ensure People Released From Prison Can Obtain Proper State ID Cards
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Penn.), introduced the Restoring Access Through Identification Act to ensure people who are released from prison are able to obtain proper state ID cards by requiring the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to cover the costs associated with obtaining identification cards. Covering the cost of obtaining a state-issued ID prior to release helps remove some of the barriers to reintegrating back into the community. "We must give … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Reps. Takano, García, and Pressley Launch Future of Transportation Caucus
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) launched the Future of Transportation Caucus, which will be dedicated to creating a vision for the future of our transportation system that emphasizes equity, access, and sustainability. The caucus formally launched this morning and will feature a standing series of briefings and forums to generate awareness and policy discussions including … Continue Reading
October 02, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision Not to Establish a Child Detention Facility in the Inland Empire
Riverside, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following a recent announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) informing Members that the agency is no longer seeking to lease space in the Inland Empire for a detention facility to house up to 430 migrant children. "I am relieved that the Trump Administration has abandoned its plans to lease space in the Inland Empire to detain immigrant children. Our country has … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Rep. Takano: President Trump Must Be Impeached
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released this statement on the impeachment of President Trump. Rep. Takano had previously announced his support for Congress to formally launch impeachment proceedings against the president in August. "In August, I called on Congress to move forward with formal impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. That call has become even more urgent following reports that the President attempted to pressure Ukraine's leader into … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on Trump Administration’s Final Overtime Rule
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released this statement following the U.S. Department of Labor's announcement of the finalized rule for overtime standards, which sets the new overtime salary threshold for full-time salaried workers at just $35,568 per year. The current salary threshold is $23,660 per year and was last updated in 2004. "Today, millions of American workers were left behind by the Trump Administration. The final overtime rule is inadequate and fails to truly strengthen … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Reps. Takano and Foster, Sens. Hirono and Tillis Introduce the Office of Technology Assessment Improvement and Enhancement Act
Washington, DC - Today, Reps. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Bill Foster (D-IL) and Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Office of Technology Assessment Improvement and Enhancement Act to introduce enhancements to the existing Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) statute (2 US Code §472) to make improvements to the OTA by making it more accessible and responsive to Members' needs. "The foundation for good policy is accurate and objective analysis, and for more than … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
Rep. Takano Introduces Bill to Prevent the Trump Administration from Holding Immigrant Children In Detention Indefinitely
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), introduced The Protecting Flores Agreement Act, to prevent the Trump Administration from carrying out their proposal to overturn the Flores Settlement Agreement and permit the detention of children indefinitely while rolling back protections regarding their access to safe and sanitary conditions. "Terminating the Flores Agreement is just another tactic the Trump Administration is using to execute the President's extreme anti-immigrant … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Rep. Takano Introduces the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act to Protect Defendants’ Due Process Rights in the Criminal Justice System
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2019 to ensure that defendants have access to source code and other information necessary to exercise their confrontational and due process rights when algorithms are used to analyze evidence in their case. This legislation will also establish standards and testing to enable a robust conversation about how these algorithms work and whether they are accurate and fair enough to be used in … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Rep. Takano Raises Concerns and Requests Information from ICE Acting Director Following Visit to Adelanto ICE Detention Center
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) sent a letter to ICE Acting Director Matthew Albence raising concerns about conditions and procedures at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center following a visit to the facility on August 30th, 2019. In the letter, Rep. Takano said, "During my visit, I observed two troubling behaviors that require your immediate attention: (1) unsanitary conditions and an apparent failure to adhere to any medical protocols have led to the quarantine of … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on VA Decision To Break With California Agency Tasked With Cracking Down on For-Profit Schools
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement after the Department of Veterans' Affairs decided to break with the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) tasked with looking for fraud, waste, and abuse at institutions that enroll student veterans. "I am concerned by the Department of Veterans' Affairs decision to not offer a cooperative agreement with the California State … Continue Reading
August 23, 2019
Rep. Takano and Rep. Shalala Introduce the Student and Taxpayer Protection Act to Reinstate Gainful Employment Rule
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Flor.) introduced the Student and Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation to reinstate the gainful employment rule following the Trump Administration's elimination of the rule in July. The gainful employment rule, finalized during the Obama-era, set clear standards of accountability and transparency for all programs at for-profit institutions and non-degree programs at public and private, non-profit institutions with … Continue Reading
August 22, 2019
Rep. Takano Announces Support for Congress to Formally Launch Impeachment Proceedings Against President Donald Trump
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) announced his support for Congress to formally launch impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The announcement video statement can be viewed here. The video statement text can be found here and below: Hello, I'm Congressman Mark Takano. I want to take a moment to speak directly to you about an issue that has become increasingly important as our nation's democratic institutions and norms have been threatened and violated. … Continue Reading
August 16, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on Proposal to Establish a Child Detention Facility in the Inland Empire
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following an announcement that the General Services Administration (GSA) is looking to lease space in the Inland Empire to detain unaccompanied children. "It seems like almost every day, we learn of new despicable ways President Trump is targeting immigrants, making it harder for asylum seekers to find refuge in America, and instilling fear in our communities. My Democratic colleagues in Congress and I, along with the American people, have … Continue Reading
August 02, 2019
Rep. Takano Announces $15.8 Million in Federal Grants for Riverside, Perris, Jurupa Valley and Moreno Valley
Riverside, CA – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced more than $15 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Cities of Perris, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, and the County of Riverside. The City of Perris received $908,522 in Community Development Block Grants The City of Moreno Valley received $2,932,405 in Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Solution Grants, and HOME Grants The City of Jurupa Valley received $1,203,797 in … Continue Reading