Press Releases
Takano, Duckworth, and Hirono Introduce Legislation to Prevent Atrocities Like Mass Japanese American Incarceration From Repeating
Washington, D.C. - In advance of the next week's Day of Remembrance recognizing the incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA-41) introduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2019 to establish a clear legal prohibition against un-American policies that seek to imprison American citizens on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sex, gender identity, … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on President Trump’s Unconstitutional National Emergency Declaration
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano released this statement after President Trump declared a national emergency to build a border wall: "Declaring a national emergency over a fabricated border crisis is an abuse of power. President Trump failed to get funding for his racist wall - even when Republicans controlled the House and the Senate - and is now overstepping his constitutional duties to fulfill a campaign promise that the majority of Americans oppose. This political stunt is … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Rep. Takano and Senator Brown Introduce the VA Employee Fairness Act
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced H.R. 1133 the VA Employee Fairness Act to support the goal of building a talented workforce to care for America's veterans. The bill would create a better environment for attracting and retaining physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers by restoring collective bargaining rights to medical professionals at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. "Veterans … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following President Trump's State of the Union address: "The state of our Union is weakened when the President of the United States taps into harmful, anti-immigrant rhetoric to push his unpopular immigration agenda. Tonight's address confirms that President Trump and his Administration are continuing to focus on fabricated crises, instead of prioritizing the issues Americans care about. While they continue to attack … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Rep. Takano Announces Air Traffic Controller from Moreno Valley as Guest to the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) has announced Shyan Lasater-Bailey, a constituent and Air Traffic Controller from Moreno Valley who was affected by the recent Trump Shutdown, as his guest to the State of the Union. "I am honored to have a constituent and proud federal worker, Shyan Lasater-Bailey join me as my guest to the State of the Union. As an air traffic controller, Shyan plays a critical and thankless role in ensuring the safety of all travelers," said Rep. Mark Takano. … Continue Reading
February 02, 2019
Rep. Takano Commends Expansion of Riverside National Cemetery
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement of its plan to expand the Riverside National Cemetery. The VA National Cemetery Administration purchased 315 acres to expand Riverside National Cemetery, making it the largest national cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration. "Burial benefits at a VA National Cemetery are among the promises our country has made servicemembers, veterans, … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Rep. Mark Takano and Senator Mazie Hirono Introduce the Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019
Washington, D.C. - Today, as California celebrates "Korematsu Day" to honor civil rights icon Fred Korematsu, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) along with Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), introduced the Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 to recognize his legacy. "Nearly 75 years after the Supreme Court delivered a devastating blow to the civil liberties of Japanese Americans in the landmark Korematsu v. United States decision, we are witnessing and experiencing the progress we have made as … Continue Reading
January 04, 2019
Representative Mark Takano Elected Chairman of House Committee On Veterans’ Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after he was elected by his Democratic colleagues to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs: "This Congress, we have an incredible opportunity to build on this Committee's work to guarantee veterans access to high-quality, timely care and the benefits they deserve. Today's veterans population is more diverse than ever before, a testament to the shifting demographic strength of … Continue Reading
December 21, 2018
Rep. Takano Statement on Third Trump Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after Congressional Republicans and President Trump caused a third government shutdown this year: "President Trump, who lauds himself as a master negotiator, just led our government into the third government shutdown in one year - all because he is demanding billions of dollars in funding for a wall that a majority of Americans do not support. "As the President continues to hold our government hostage over funding for … Continue Reading
December 18, 2018
Rep. Takano: “The Department of Education’s Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham.”
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education released the finalreport from the Federal Commission on School Safety: "The Department of Education's Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham. A better title for this report would be: A guide to trample students' civil rights, sell more guns, and blame everything on minority students. "As a public school teacher for 24 years, I find it insulting that … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Rep. Mark Takano Leads Bipartisan Letter Opposing the Closure of Amtrak’s Reservations Facility in Riverside
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a bipartisan coalition of 39 Members of Congress from California in sending a letter to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson expressing concern and opposition to Amtrak's recent decision to close its reservations facility in Riverside, CA and the elimination of the positions of almost 500 employees. In the letter, Members write, "Amtrak is unlike any other American corporation in that it is majority owned by the federal government … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Rep. Takano: “An absolute shame and a disgrace that my Republican colleagues had the intention of bringing Dr. Joseph J. Sabia as a witness”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections issued this statement after the House Education and the Workforce Committee Majority cancelled the Subcommittee Hearing on Mandating a $15 Minimum Wage following the revelation of Republican witness Dr. Joseph J. Sabia's past homophobic and sexist writings: "It is an absolute shame and a disgrace that my Republican colleagues had the intention of bringing Dr. Joseph J. … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Rep. Takano Statement on Sudden Closure of Education Corporation of America
"Yesterday, Education Corporation of America (ECA) announced that it would close all of its campuses in California, including one in Riverside, and across the country, creating yet another nightmare scenario for tens of thousands of students who are now left with burdensome debt, an incomplete degree, and few opportunities for recourse. "The closing of ECA campuses can be added to the list of institutions accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) that … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Vice Ranking Member Takano Leads Democratic Members of Veterans Affairs Committee and Democratic Colleagues in Demanding Answers from VA Secretary Wilkie Regarding GI Bill Benefits Payments
Washington, D.C. - Today, after numerous reports highlighted continued delays in GI Bill benefits payments and failures in the implementation of certain housing provisions of the Forever GI Bill, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Vice Ranking Member Mark Takano led Democratic Members in demanding answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever GI Bill) made significant improvements to veteran … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
130 Democratic Members Sign Letter of Support for Rep. Mark Takano to Become Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Washington, D.C. - 130 Democratic Members and Members-Elect have signed a letter indicating their support for Vice Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) to become Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. The letter is here and below: November 30, 2018 Dear Colleague: To best serve our nation's veterans in the 116th Congress, we need experienced leaders who are dedicated to protecting veteran benefits while also holding this Administration accountable. That is why we are … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Rep. Takano Statement on VA Announcement of Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Payments
The announcement of further delays in the implementation of these specific provisions in the Forever GI Bill is extremely disconcerting. When Congress passed this law, the language indicated that provisions were to be implemented by August 2018, but ongoing technical issues have prevented any progress and the VA has failed to meet the deadline. If this process and the reoccurring technical failures at the VA have taught us anything, it's that the underlying issues causing these delays - IT … Continue Reading
November 21, 2018
Rep. Takano Slams DeVos Decision to Recognize ACICS
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced restoration of federal recognition to the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which gave accreditation to for-profits like ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges: "Secretary Betsy DeVos' decision to continue granting the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) federal recognition represents clear neglect by the Department of Education to … Continue Reading
November 13, 2018
Rep. Takano Statement on G.I. Benefits Payment Delays Affecting Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after multiple reports stated that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is continuing to experience technical issues that are causing delays in payments of G.I. Bill benefits: "It is completely unacceptable for student veterans to be on the brink of losing their housing and to be unable to pay their tuition because of G.I. Bill benefits payment delays. Last month, my colleagues and I urged the VA to … Continue Reading
October 09, 2018
Rep. Takano Calls for Release of Full Department of Education File on ACICS
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after it was revealed that the Department of Education inflated the support from other accreditors in its recommendation for granting the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) federal recognition for another year. "ACICS, at its height, was the largest accreditor of for-profit colleges, however, it often granted accreditation to low-performing, predatory institutions that engaged in risky and … Continue Reading
September 10, 2018
Rep. Takano’s Bill Extending Paid Sick Leave Benefits to Wounded Warriors Working at the VA Becomes a Law
Washington, D.C. -Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Steve Stivers' (R-Ohio) Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act was signed into law. This law will ensure that newly hired veterans with service-connected injuries working in medical positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are able to take paid sick leave to receive the care they need. This bill will also help in hiring and recruiting veterans to fill VA "Title 38" employee vacancies nationwide. "Veteran … Continue Reading