Press Releases
Rep. Takano Celebrates 52 Years of Title IX
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement on the 52nd anniversary of the enactment of Title IX: “After 52 years, Title IX is stronger than ever. We celebrate its landmark provisions and applaud the Biden Administration’s actions tostrengthen Title IX to protect LGBTQ+ people in a political moment when our community is targeted and singled out. Today more than ever, a federal commitment to ensuring equal access to educational opportunities is … Continue Reading
June 21, 2024
Rep. Takano Commemorates One Year Since the Reintroduction of the Equality Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) commemorated one year since he reintroduced the Equality Act. The Equality Act is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ community. It would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding housing, and public … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Takano Hails Biden Admin’s Action to Keep American Families Together
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) hailed President Joe Biden’s decisive executive order that will help keep certain mixed-status American families together. The Biden-Harris Administration’s move will extend much needed legal status and work authorization to long-settled undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens. “I applaud President Joe Biden’s bold action that made today’s historic executive order possible,” said Rep. Takano. “Countless American families … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Rep. Takano Opposes Extreme NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement after voting NO on the House’s partisan Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025: “It is unfortunate this Republican-led House has caved to extreme partisan measures and transformed the passage of the FY25 NDAA into a tactic bill filled with regressive policies for LGBTQ+ and women servicemembers. Amendments added to the original, bipartisan text do … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Rep. Takano’s Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Protect Contraception
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement following the unanimous decision in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine: “Today is a victory. The right to safe and effective contraception is affirmed, but we cannot rely on this activist Supreme Court to continue to protect the most common form of abortion care. We know this Supreme Court could claw back abortion access in other formslater this summer, which is why we need federal legislation to protect … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Rep. Takano Statement on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day:"Today marks the 80th anniversary of the ‘Longest Day.’ On June 6, 1944, over 150,000 Allied troops—Americans, British, Canadians, and others—embarked on the most audacious amphibious assault in history. "The magnitude of what was achieved on D-Day can be measured not just in miles of liberated coastline, but in generations of freedom secured. Those young servicemembers who … Continue Reading
June 03, 2024
Rep. Takano’s Statement on Mexican Presidential Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following Mexico’s election of Claudia Sheinbaum as its first woman president, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement: “I congratulate Mexico on a historic first: electing their first woman president. This is an important milestone and an opportunity for the U.S. to reaffirm our commitment to this critical bilateral relationship. Mexico is a top trading partner, an important collaborator on stopping deadly drugs like fentanyl from getting onto our … Continue Reading
June 01, 2024
Rep. Takano's Statement to Celebrate the Beginning of Pride Month
"When I ran for Congress in the 1990s, I was publicly outed as gay by my opponent and made the target of homophobic attack ads. I would lose that race by more than 18%. Almost two decades later, I ran again and won by 19%. With that victory, I became the first openly gay person of color to serve in Congress. This Pride Month, let us celebrate how far queer people have come but also recommit ourselves to the mission of full equality and dignity for every LGBTQ person. Happy … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
Rep. Takano’s Statement on President Biden’s Decision to Halt Arms to Israel if Rafah is Invaded
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement on President Biden’s decision to withhold offensive arms shipments to Israel if it launched a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah: I applaud President Biden’s decision to protect civilians and hostages by withholding weapons from the Netanyahu-led Israeli government if they follow through with a full ground invasion of Rafah. With 34,000 Gazans dead, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is already dire. An … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
New Poll: Youth Believe in a 32-Hour Workweek
WASHINGTON, D.C. — New polling published by CNBC shows that 81% of youth believe a four-day workweek would increase productivity in the workplace. The polling comes on the heels of Congressman Mark Takano’s (CA-39) Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act gaining fresh momentum with Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) introduction of a Senate companion bill and a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in March. “We are witnessing a generational shift in attitudes towards the … Continue Reading
May 01, 2024
Rep. Takano’s Statement Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus released the following statement celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month: “Today, we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. “AANHPI peoples are not a monolith. We come from diverse and culturally rich backgrounds, but are united by a shared sense of community. “I feel great pride … Continue Reading
April 30, 2024
Rep. Takano Applauds Appellate Court Decision to Protect Gender Affirming Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and primary sponsor of the Equality Act, released the following statement applauding the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to roll back discriminatory healthcare policies: “I applaud the 4th Circuit for correctly upholding the right to gender-affirming care. The Court clearly statedthat state-funded health plans cannot exclude those seeking medically-necessary care, a giant step forward … Continue Reading
April 23, 2024
Overtime Pay Fairness Advocate, Rep. Takano, Applauds Labor Department’s Overtime Rule
Takano Also Urges Passage of Legislation to Further Strengthen Overtime Pay WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), who has led a number of Congressional efforts to make sure workers are paid their fair share for the overtime they work, released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration and U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime rule that will expand overtime pay to 3.6 million workers: "For far too long, workers have been working more for less. I’m proud that … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Statement from Takano, Castro, Velázquez, Doggett, Jayapal, Khanna, Ocasio-Cortez, Balint, Casar, McGovern, Barbara Lee, Blumenauer, Chu, Johnson, Carson, Watson Coleman, Jesús “Chuy” García, Jonathan Jackson, and Tokuda on the Israel Security Supplemental
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, nearly 20 members of Congress—Reps. Mark Takano (CA-39), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Greg Casar (TX-35), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Judy Chu (CA-28), Hank Johnson (GA-04), André Carson (IN-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), and … Continue Reading
April 19, 2024
Rep. Takano Hails Final Title IX Rule from Education Department
Takano is a Congressional Leader on LGBTQ and Education Issues WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), a Congressional leader on LGBTQ and education issues, hailed the finalized rule on Title IX from the U.S. Department of Education and Biden Administration: The Education Department and Biden Administration showed real courage today, delivering on a long-held promise to ensure that the federal government does more to protect all Americans—especially LGBTQ Americans—from discrimination. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Reps. Takano and Lee, Sen. Schatz Demand Fair Treatment for LGBTQ Youth in Schools
New Resolution Coincides with the Annual Day of (No) Silence WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Reps. Mark Takano (CA-39), Barbara Lee (CA-12), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced a resolution to support the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative. This resolution was cosponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and coincides with the Annual Day of (No) Silence. “As a former teacher, I know that school shouldn’t be about just surviving — it should be about thriving,” said Rep. Mark Takano, … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Rep. Takano Says “US-Japan Alliance Has Never Been Stronger” Following Japanese PM’s Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), a Congressional leader on US-Japan relations and Member of the Escort Committee for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s address to today’s Joint Meeting of Congress, applauded the Prime Minister’s remarks. Statement: The US-Japan alliance has never been stronger. I applaud Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s clear-eyed address to Congress that emphasized our shared responsibility to uphold our shared values in the face of rising aggression … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Statement on the Passing of Gil Navarro
Gil Navarro believed in service to others and lived his life by that credo. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and a community leader, but he will be best known for his tireless advocacy to students. At his core, he believed that every student—regardless of their background—deserved a first-rate education. The Inland Empire is lesser without his forceful leadership, and my thoughts are with his family and … Continue Reading
April 04, 2024
Statement on the Passing of Sakaye Aratani
The passing of Sakaye Aratani coincides with an ever-dwindling number of adult Japanese Americans who endured the injustice of being forcibly removed from their homes and imprisoned in WWII internment camps. She and her late husband, George Aratani, made a remarkably successful post-war journey in business and became important philanthropic figures within the Japanese American community and beyond. Many have noted Sakaya’s grace, humility, and elegance. I will additionally highlight that the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2024
Rep. Takano Blasts Ugandan Court’s Horrific Anti-LGBTQ Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following a ruling from Uganda’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday that largely upheld large parts of a sweeping anti-LGBTQ law, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) blasted the news: “I am outraged by the ruling from Uganda’s Constitutional Court upholding a law that strips LGBTQ Ugandans of their dignity, liberty, and in some cases their lives. It is a disgrace and a deeply disturbing step backwards for human rights in the region. “This draconian law adds a whole new layer … Continue Reading