Press Releases
Rep. Takano Delivers Floor Speech in Spanish for Mothers Separated from their Children at the Border
Washington, D.C. - In honor of Mother's Day, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) delivered a speech on the House Floor to express solidarity with mothers separated from their children at the border due to President Trump's family separation policy. You can download the speech here. Spanish transcript of Rep. Takano's speech: Este día de las madres, tengo un mensaje para todas las mamás que fueron separadas de sus hijos en nuestra frontera después de hacer un viaje largo y … Continue Reading
April 24, 2019
Rep. Takano: “I will actively oppose any efforts to move crucial DMA capabilities outside of March ARB.”
Riverside, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement following confirmation that the U.S. Department of Defense is considering the relocation of Defense Media Activity (DMA) functions currently stationed at March Air Reserve Base. "I am disappointed in the Department's push to consolidate its Defense Media Activity functions to other parts of the country, and I will actively oppose any efforts to move crucial DMA capabilities outside of March ARB. "DoD has been … Continue Reading
April 15, 2019
Rep. Takano Commends UCR for Receiving $2.5 Million Federal Grant to Support Business Growth in Riverside
Riverside, CA - The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million federal grant to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) for use in a life sciences industry business incubator. The Inland Empire Entrepreneurial Life Science Incubator Acquisition Project will support life sciences-focused businesses by creating job opportunities for the region's workforce and addressing the demand for more high-skilled workers. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Rep. Mark Takano: "This Is A National Crisis"
Riverside, CA - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the statement below following several concerning reports of veteran suicides in the past week. "My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the veteran who died by suicide last night outside the Austin VA facility. This is a national crisis that we all need to address. Every new instance of veteran suicide showcases a barrier to access, but with three incidents on VA property in … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Rep. Takano Introduces Legislation to Expand Clean Energy Storage and Launches Bipartisan Advanced Energy Storage Caucus
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif), together with Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), introduced three pieces of legislation to expand clean battery energy storage and launched the bipartisan Advanced Energy Storage Caucus to promote understanding of energy storage systems. The energy storage legislative package introduced includes the Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act (STORAGE Act), Battery Storage Innovation Act, and the Advancing Grid Storage … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Rep. Takano Helps Introduce the Dream and Promise Act as an Original Cosponsor
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Reps. Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Velázquez (D-NY), Clarke (D-NY), and Members of the House Democratic Caucus in introducing H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. The bill was unveiled at a press event and Rep. Takano's remarks can be found here. The Dream and Promise Act's designation as H.R. 6 underscores its status as a priority of the House Majority. This legislation is the 116th Congress' version … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Rep. Takano Statement on Closure of Dream Center For-Profit Colleges
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano released this statement following the closure of 22 Dream Center Education Holdings, LLC for-profit college campuses. "More than 10,000 students across the country had their dreams stifled by yet another set of for-profit college closures, including students at the Art Institute of California, Inland Empire campus. Now these students who were pursuing an education and hoped to earn a degree have been left with burdensome debt and credits they cannot … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Rep. Takano: “New overtime salary threshold ignores the economic realities middle-class workers are facing”
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement following reports that the U.S. Department of Labor plans to raise the overtime pay threshold to $35,000 from $24,000 through new rulemaking. "The Department of Labor's new overtime salary threshold ignores the economic realities middle-class workers are facing across the country. The $35,000 overtime pay threshold is woefully inadequate compared to the Obama-era regulations that would have increased the … Continue Reading
February 26, 2019
Rep. Takano Introduces Let It Go Act to Stop Personal Use of Campaign Funds After the Campaign Ends
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Let It Go Act to limit how long former political candidates can hold on to campaign funds while presenting them the option to return the money to donors, donate it to charity, or transfer to another candidate - all permissible uses under current election law. "Americans make financial contributions to a candidate of their choice with the expectation that those funds will be put to good use by the candidate's campaign," said Rep. … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
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