Press Releases
Rep. Takano: Everything We Thought About Modern GOP is True
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement after House Republicans passed the American Health Care Act, which will strip 24 million Americans of their insurance and jeopardizes access to health care tax credits for 7 million veterans. "I've often warned my constituents and colleagues that the modern Republican Party is more interested in cutting taxes on the wealthy than providing … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Rep. Takano Warns GOP: AHCA Will Harm Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, took to the House floor today to warn Republicans that the American Health Care Act would jeopardize access to affordable health care for millions of veterans. "There are 7 million veterans who are eligible for VA care but not enrolled at the VA. All of them could be denied access to the tax credits in this bill," said Rep. Takano, before outlining the problematic provisions in the … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Rep. Takano Condemns Passage of So-Called Working Families Flexibility Act
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, released the following statement after House Republicans passed H.R. 1180, the so-called Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017. "I am extremely disappointed that House Republicans have pushed through yet another bill that rigs the rules of the economy against working families. The so-called Working Families Flexibility Act gives employees no meaningful rights they don't already … Continue Reading
April 28, 2017
Rep. Takano Statement on Confirmation of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, released the following statement after Alexander Acosta's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Labor. "In its first 100 days, the Trump administration has pursued an agenda that is openly hostile to working families. By opposing a rule requiring financial advisers to act in the best interests of their clients, by rolling back workplace safety reporting standards, and by refusing to … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
Rep. Takano: Revised AHCA Still Strips Tax Credits from 7 Million Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement regarding a loophole that remains in the revised American Health Care Act stripping tax credits from up to 7 million veterans. The MacArthur Amendment fails to address language in the bill that prevents veterans who are eligible but not enrolled in VA health care from receiving tax credits to afford insurance. "I am in disbelief that my Republican … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans Pass Bill Stripping Workers of Overtime Pay
WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a markup on H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act. Republicans rejected Democrats' efforts to advance amendments that would have provided real solutions for workers - paid sick days, fair work schedules, and strengthened overtime protections. Republicans voted unanimously (22-16) to make it harder for working people to be paid for every hour on the job. "H.R. 1180 doesn't give employees any rights they don't … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Rep. Takano Calls for International Condemnation of Ongoing Violence Targeting Chechnya’s Gay Community
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement calling on the international community to condemn the Chechen government's horrific campaign of violence and oppression against the gay community. He also called on Vladimir Putin and the Russian government to exert its influence in Chechnya to end the arrest, torture, and murder of gay men in the region. "The chilling reports of mass detentions and violence against gay men in Chechnya demand an … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
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