Press Releases
Rep. Takano Mourns Victims of Tragic Shooting at San Bernardino’s North Park Elementary School
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino. "There are no words to express the pain and sorrow I feel for the victims of this tragedy and their families. I am stunned and horrified that gun violence has once again struck the Inland Empire and claimed the lives of members of community. "There are many questions about how this heartbreaking tragedy unfolded. What we … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Responding to Wave of For-Profit School Closures, Rep. Takano Introduces Bill to Protect Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced legislation that would restore Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to veterans affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. The Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act (VERRA) comes nearly two years after the abrupt closure of Corinthian Colleges, which stranded 16,000 students, and just one week after Westech College suddenly closed its three locations in Southern California. Student veterans … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Rep. Takano, Committee Democrats Voice Strong Opposition to Bill that Weakens Overtime Rights for Low-Income Workers
Washington, D.C. - Today, at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Rep. Takano and Committee Democrats voiced strong opposition to the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017 (H.R.1180). The bill would weaken overtime rights for low-income workers who are already struggling to keep pace with the economy. Instead of paying workers for their overtime work, the legislation allows employers to pocket employees' overtime pay in return for a vague promise that employees may be … Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Rep. Takano Joins Bipartisan Calls for Chairman Nunes’s Recusal from Russia Investigation, Formation of Independent Commission
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement calling for Chairman Devin Nunes to recuse himself from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. Rep. Takano is also calling for the formation of an independent commission to launch a parallel investigation. "I strongly believe that a transparent, bipartisan investigation conducted by the House Intelligence Committee is a critical tool … Continue Reading
March 28, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on Energy
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's executive order on energy. "For the past eight years under the Obama Administration, the United States set a powerful example for the world with its aggressive action to combat climate change. President Trump's executive order undercuts the progress we made and ignores the overwhelming scientific consensus that man-made climate change is threatening to devastate our way of … Continue Reading
March 24, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on Speaker Ryan Pulling the American Health Care Act from the House Floor
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after Speaker Ryan withdrew the American Health Care Act from the House Floor prior to the scheduled vote. "After criticizing and slandering the Affordable Care Act for seven years, today's events confirm that Republicans never took the time to develop a serious plan for expanding affordable health care to every American. This is not a victory for Democrats; this is a victory for the American people, including the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2017
HVAC Members Call on Republicans to Protect Veterans from Harmful Consequences of Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Democratic Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee expressed outrage over House Republicans' rush to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to the floor of the House of Representatives, and to warn of the negative consequences the bill will have for millions of veterans and their families across the United States: "As a result of AHCA's expedited path to the House floor without regular order, millions of veterans are now facing the possibility of losing … Continue Reading
March 17, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on President Trump’s Budget Blueprint
Rep. Takano Statement on President Trump's Budget Blueprint Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to the budget blueprint released by President Trump yesterday. "The president's budget blueprint reflects a hard-hearted and short-sighted vision for America. The dramatic cuts it recommends for programs that feed the hungry, provide shelter to vulnerable families, and improve public education are cruel. It is shameful for the … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on Legislation Advanced by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs advanced the VA Accountability First Act, HR 1259, as well as legislation expanding full GI Bill benefits to all veterans awarded the Purple Heart. "Recipients of the Purple Heart have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to this country that deserves our full measure of respect. Ensuring that all veterans awarded the Purple Heart have the tools they need to … Continue Reading
March 07, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on the Republican Health Plan
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement regarding the American Health Care Act, the Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act unveiled last night. "Seniors, low-income families, sick Americans, and women - this is just a partial list of Americans who would suffer as a result of the Republican health care proposal. The American Health Care Act, unveiled by the GOP last night, would destabilize the U.S. health care system and dismantle the … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Rep. Takano: Updated Travel Ban Still Makes Americans Less Safe
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President Trump signed a new executive order restricting travel to the United States from six Muslim-majority countries for 90 days and freezing refugee resettlement for 120 days. "The details of the Trump administration's updated travel ban may have changed, but the harm it does to America's safety and our standing around the world remains the same. Like the original, this executive order sends a … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Rep. Takano Joins Calls for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Resign
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after The Washington Post reported that Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied in his Senate confirmation hearing about his contacts with Russia. "As America's top law enforcement officer, the honesty and integrity of the U.S. Attorney General is held to the highest standard. By lying under oath in a Senate confirmation hearing, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has fallen well short of that standard. His … Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Rep. Takano on President’s Address: New Tone, Same Dishonesty
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. "President Trump used a new tone tonight to repeat the same dishonest and dangerous ideas. On health care, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy, he continued his pattern of misrepresenting reality to justify policies that will hurt middle class families and jeopardize America's safety. "It is particularly striking that … Continue Reading
February 27, 2017
Local Muslim Activist Fauzia Rizvi to Join Rep. Takano at President’s Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced that local resident and Muslim activist Fauzia Rizvi will be his guest at President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. "I am honored that Fauzia has agreed to join me in Washington during this contentious and challenging moment in our national debate," said Rep. Takano. "Fauzia is a strong and important voice in our community who works tirelessly to bridge the cultural divides that continue to … Continue Reading
February 17, 2017
Rep. Takano Introduces Unsubscribe Act to Protect Online Consumers
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Unsubscribe Act to protect consumers from being tricked into paying monthly membership fees without their explicit consent. The bill directly addresses the business tactic of negative option billing, which allows a customer's inaction to serve as approval to be charged for goods or services. Online companies typically leverage negative option billing by enticing consumers with a one-time offer that turns into a monthly … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Rep. Takano Joined by CAPAC Leadership in Introducing Resolutions in Remembrance of Japanese American Internment
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced two resolutions in remembrance of Japanese American internment. The first, introduced with Reps. Doris Matsui and Colleen Hanabusa, would establish a Day of Remembrance to reflect on the injustices endured by thousands of men, women, and children who were the victims of discrimination during World War II. The second would recognize Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution to honor Mr. Korematsu's lifelong fight … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
Rep. Takano, Sen. Brown Introduce Bill to Help VA Attract and Retain Talented Medical Professionals
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced 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. While VA employees have had collectively bargain rights … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on March Air Reserve Base Chain of Command Ceremony
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Change of Command Ceremony that took place this morning at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. "Under the leadership of Major General John C. Flournoy, Jr., March Air Reserve Base maintained its critical role in our community and its important place in America's national security strategy. I am grateful for his service to our region and to the country, and I wish him the best on his … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
On Day of DeVos Confirmation Vote, Rep. Takano Releases Progressive K-12 Education Agenda
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) unveiled a comprehensive Progressive K-12 Education Agenda calling for a commitment to public education, expanded access to early childhood education, and equal support and opportunities for low-income students. The agenda reveals the wide gap between progressive Democrats and Betsy DeVos in terms of both education policy priorities and expertise. "For decades, a strong education system has made it possible for generations of Americans to … Continue Reading
February 01, 2017
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on House Passage of H.J. Res. 38
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the House passed H.J. Res. 38, which employs the rarely used Congressional Review Act to eliminate the Stream Protection Rule. The rule updates existing mining regulations to prevent the pollution of streams resulting from mining activity. "If you own a coal mining company, own stock in coal mining companies, or receive donations from coal mining companies, you are rightfully celebrating the House … Continue Reading