Press Releases
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Trump Administration Tapping Jerry Falwell Jr. to Lead Higher Education Panel
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Trump administration reportedly tapped Jerry Falwell Jr. to lead a panel on reforming higher education. "Jerry Falwell Jr. checks all the boxes for an education post in the Trump administration: he is bigoted, unqualified, and reliably opposed to protecting students from predatory companies. As a gay man, I am enraged that his anti-LGBT rhetoric is being rewarded with a leadership post. As a … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Election As Vice Ranking Member of House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after his election as Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "Honoring the service of America's veterans has been one of my top priorities since my first days in Congress. It continues to be a privilege to help ensure that these brave men and women receive the care and support they have earned. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build on … Continue Reading
January 27, 2017
Rep. Takano: Executive Order on Foreign Nationals, Refugees is a Moral Failure and Humanitarian Disaster
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) released the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order calling for the suspension of visas to citizens of certain Middle-Eastern countries and the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. "President Trump's executive order turns America's back to the suffering of thousands of men, women, and children fleeing unspeakable violence. The ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Syria requires us to rise to the … Continue Reading
January 25, 2017
Rep. Takano: Executive Actions on Immigration Are Inhumane, Wasteful, and Unconstitutional
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) released the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order calling for a wall on America's southern border and the targeting of sanctuary cities. "Today, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on immigration that is inhumane, wasteful, and illegal. Instead of investing in America's schools, rebuilding our infrastructure, or cutting taxes on the middle class, the president is moving forward with the … Continue Reading
January 18, 2017
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Secretary of Education Nominee Betsy DeVos
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos. "Last night, Betsy DeVos demonstrated to the public that she is fundamentally unprepared and unqualified to lead the Department of Education. Her apparent confusion over the basics of education policy - including the debate over progress and proficiency, the federal requirements protecting students with disabilities, and … Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Nomination of David Shulkin as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Shulkin is currently the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary of Health. "Dr. David Shulkin is a respected leader with the experience necessary to direct an organization as important and complex as the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over the past 18 months, … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Rep. Mark Takano Announces Support for Rep. Tim Walz for Ranking Member of House Veterans Committee in 115th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) released the following statement announcing his support for Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, for the position of Ranking Member of the House Veterans Committee in the 115th Congress. "The men and women who make incredible sacrifices to protect this nation do so with the promise that they will be cared for and supported when they come home. As a veteran and as a passionate advocate for … Continue Reading
December 13, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano Statement on ACICS
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement after the Department of Education formally terminated its recognition of The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an accreditor of more than 200 for-profit schools. "I strongly support the Department of Education's decision to terminate its recognition of ACICS as a school accreditor. For many years, ACICS has enabled … Continue Reading
December 08, 2016
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Reported Labor Secretary Nominee Andy Puzder
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement in response to numerous reports that fast-food CEO Andy Puzder will be President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor. "The Secretary of Labor is assigned the critical role of advocating for American workers and protecting working families from injustice and abuse. Nothing in Andy Puzder's record suggests that he is prepared to fulfill that responsibility. At nearly every opportunity, … Continue Reading
November 22, 2016
President-Elect Trump: No Help for Veterans in the First 100 Days
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano issued the following statement in a response to a video released by President-elect Donald Trump outlining his priorities for the first 100 days of his administration. "Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to make veterans a top priority in his administration. Two months before he even takes office, it appears he is already breaking that promise. Donald Trump's list of priorities for his first 100 days in … Continue Reading
November 17, 2016
Rep. Mark Takano Calls on President-elect Trump to Denounce Comments on Japanese-American Internment
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement today calling on President-elect Donald Trump to denounce comments made by a surrogate, which referenced Japanese-American internment as precedent to justify a Muslim registry. "The imprisonment of thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II, including my parents and grandparents, is widely understood to be one of the darkest chapters in American history. More than 100,000 Japanese-Americans were accused … Continue Reading
October 26, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano Statement on Department of Defense Freezing Collection of National Guard Bonuses
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement on the Department of Defense's decision to freeze collection of California National Guard Bonuses. "I strongly support this step taken by the Department of Defense to suspend efforts to collect California National Guard enlistment bonuses awarded to servicemembers up to a decade ago. The men and women who stepped up to serve our nation in good faith should not be held accountable for other people's … Continue Reading
October 23, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano Statement on Effort to Claw Back Bonuses Paid to Members of the California National Guard
Washington, D.C. - Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement regarding the Los Angeles Times story describing efforts to claw back bonuses and benefits improperly paid to members of the California National Guard 10 years ago. "I am appalled by the California National Guard's effort to claw back bonuses and benefits improperly paid to service members 10 years ago. Those who served in the California National Guard bear no responsibility for the mistakes and misconduct … Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano Issues Statement After President Signs Extension of Vital Veterans’ Programs, West Los Angeles Leasing Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement after President Obama signed into law the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016 and the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016. "In signing these two pieces of legislation into law, President Obama has ensured that the programs and services veterans rely on every day will continue without interruption, and that the long struggle over the West Los Angeles VA campus is finally … Continue Reading
September 28, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano and Progressive Co-Caucus Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Introduce Resolution Opposing VHA Privatization
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano joined Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Keith Ellison to introduce a House resolution pledging to maintain a robust Veterans Health Administration and oppose the privatization of veterans' health care. "The Veterans Health Administration represents our commitment to provide quality health care to America's veterans, and that commitment cannot be outsourced to the for-profit health care … Continue Reading
September 28, 2016
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on House Passage of Bill Delaying Implementation of Overtime Rule
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the House passed HR 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, which would delay the implementation of the Department of Labor's overtime rule for six months. "Working families have waited nearly four decades for the Department of Labor to fully restore their overtime protections, yet Republicans continue to work to deny these workers the pay and time they have earned. … Continue Reading
September 20, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano Applauds DeVry Education Group for Taking Steps to Protect Students Veterans and Service Members
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, expressed strong support for DeVry Education Group's announcement that it will voluntarily limit the amount of federal funding it receives and close a loophole that encourages aggressive recruitment of student veterans and service members. In a statement released this morning, DeVry pledged to receive no more than 85 percent of revenue from federal sources, compared to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano Introduces SERVICE Act to Keep America’s Promise to Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano unveiled the Supporting, Employing, and Recognizing Veterans In Communities Everywhere (SERVICE) Act, H.R. 6062, a robust package of progressive priorities for dramatically improving the care and support provided to America's veterans. The legislation addresses several key issues affecting the veterans community, including health care, education, homelessness, and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs. "The SERVICE … Continue Reading
September 14, 2016
House Passes Vital Legislation to Extend Veterans’ Programs, Address Veterans’ Homelessness, and Protect Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, applauded the House for passing two key pieces of legislation this week that will provide care and support to the veterans' community. The West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, H.R. 5936, will resolve the long struggle over the West Los Angeles VA campus to ensure it meaningfully supports the veterans' community in Southern California for years to come. In doing so, it will … Continue Reading
September 06, 2016
Acting Ranking Member Takano Seeks Support for Student Veterans Affected by ITT Tech Closur
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, called on Congress to immediately advance legislation to aid student veterans enrolled at ITT Technical Institute after the for-profit school abruptly closed today. ITT Tech's closure leaves roughly 12,500 veterans and their dependents without the job prospects they were promised or the benefits they need to continue their education. "The sudden shuttering of ITT Tech will hurt … Continue Reading