Press Releases
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Legislation to Close Social Security and Medicare LGBT Loopholes
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano introduced the Social Security and Medicare Parity Act, which would close several loopholes in the Social Security Act and guarantee that all married couples, traditional and same-sex, receive the Social Security and Medicare spouse and survivor benefits that they have earned. After the Supreme Court issued its ruling for United States v. Windsor, the Department of Justice conducted a review to determine implementation of spouse and survivor … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act, which will ensure that teachers receive the training they need to properly recognize signs of sexual abuse in children. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, which is a voluntary data collection system, an estimated 679,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2013. Of those children, 9% were victims of sexual abuse. Currently, 48 states mandate … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the Air Force KC-46A Basing Decision Impact on March Air Reserve Base
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after it was announced that March Air Reserve Base was not selected as a candidate to receive the KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker: "I am extremely disappointed that March Air Reserve Base was not selected as a candidate for KC-46A MOB 3. I will be asking the Air Force for detailed information about the factors contributing to this decision, in particular, exactly how March ARB was evaluated. I would also like to know why, … Continue Reading
April 08, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano to Attend Summit of the Americas with Bipartisan Congressional Delegation
Washington DC - Tomorrow, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) will travel to Panama with a bipartisan group of members of Congress during the Summit of the Americas, a two day international summit with leaders from North America, Central America and South American, and the Caribbean. Rep. Takano will be joined by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), Rep. David Sckweikart (R-AZ), Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Rep. Bradley Byrne … Continue Reading
April 07, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on March Air Reserve Base Receiving Department of Transportation Grant for Infrastructure Improvements
Washington DC -Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after the Department of Transportation announced that March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, CA has been awarded a $2.5 million grant for infrastructure improvements: "I'm incredibly pleased that the Department of Transportation has awarded March Air Reserve Base $2.5 million so that it can improve base infrastructure and maintain its status as an important component of our military. These improvements will help preserve … Continue Reading
March 27, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the Retirement of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid
Washington DC -Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announced that he would not seek re-election in 2016: "For his entire life, Senator Reid has been a fighter, first in the boxing ring and then in the Senate, where he fought for middle-class families, women's rights, health care reform, and equality for minorities. His legendary work ethic and tough as nails mentality combined with his calm demeanor is the embodiment of the saying, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces the Keith Nolan Air Force Deaf Demonstration Act
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the Keith Nolan Air Force Deaf Demonstration Act, which would allow deaf and hard of hearing individuals to serve in the United States Air Force in a demonstration program. Original co-sponsors include Rep. Niki Tsongas, Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Ted Lieu, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Currently, the Department of Defense sets medical standards for enlistment. Within the "hearing" section, there are requirements for hearing levels … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on House Republican Budget
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Republican budget: "The budget passed by House Republicans today once again shows their commitment to ending Medicare as we know it, gutting education programs, repealing Obamacare, and increasing taxes on middle class families in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Upon winning the majority in the Senate in last year's midterm elections, Speaker Boehner … Continue Reading
March 25, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces the Charter School Transparency, Accountability, and Quality Act
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the Charter School Transparency, Accountability, and Quality Act, which will increase the information available regarding charter schools and improve charter laws. The dramatic growth of the charter school sector has raised many questions about the accountability, transparency, and quality of these rapidly opening charter schools. Only 15 states and the District of Columbia have established standards for charter school … Continue Reading
March 25, 2015
Rep. Takano Part of Bipartisan Group to Reintroduce the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act
Washington, D.C. - Today Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, led a bipartisan group of colleagues to reintroduce the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act, to ensure all military families have equal access to the benefits they earned serving our country. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO), John Conyers (D-MI), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Richard Hanna (R-NY), David Jolly (R-FL), … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Red Pen Markup Part Deux: The Marco Rubio Net Neutrality Op-Ed Edition
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) took a red pen to Florida Senator Marco Rubio's recent op-ed on Net Neutrality. In the markup, Rep. Takano calls the op-ed "intentionally misleading," "poorly researched and sourced," and urges Senator Rubio not to draft essays on his return flights from Iowa. In the op-ed, which is littered with errors, Senator Rubio claims that, "By labeling ISPs as public utilities, an extraordinary amount of power over the Internet, including … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Reflects on Commemoration of 50th Anniversary of the March in Selma
Washington DC - This past weekend, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) attended the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the civil rights march in Selma, Alabama. Throughout the weekend, Takano visited historic landmark locations and memorials, met with civil rights icons, attended events with Rep. John Lewis, and was present for President Obama's speech in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. After the event, Takano released the following statement reflecting on the weekend: "This past weekend, I was … Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Joins More Than 200 Congressional Democrats On SCOTUS Brief in Support of Marriage Equality
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) joined 166 other members of the United States House of Representatives and 44 Senators in filing a brief with the United States Supreme Court today. The amici curiae filed by the members of Congress calls on the Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality in the cases to be heard by the Court in April. "It is time for the Court to complete the important work that it began with the Windsordecision in 2013 and bring marriage equality to every … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement On Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Speech To Congress
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech to a joint session of Congress: "I thank Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for speaking to a joint session of Congress earlier today and I remain committed to keeping Israel safe from terrorism. However, I believe it is in the best interest of Israel, and the Middle East as a whole, to continue our current diplomatic course with Iran. With Iran's … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. Mick Mulvaney Reintroduce Work for Warriors Act
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) and Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) reintroduced the Work for Warriors Act, which will create a pilot program to explore the nationwide replication and expansion of the California and South Carolina's direct employment models. These direct employment pilot programs would enhance the efforts of the Department of Defense to provide employment services to members of the Guard and Reserve, and veterans. Direct employment … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement On The Retirement Of Senator Barbara Mikulski
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) announced that she will retire in 2017: "For nearly 40 years, Senator Barbara Mikulski has served the people of Maryland and the United States with a sense of passion and vigor that is rarely seen in Congress. Her commitment to fighting for women's rights and the middle class is unparalleled and she has set a tremendous example to all women. Although she may be small in stature, … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement On One Week DHS Funding Bill
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after voting for the one week Department of Homeland Security funding bill: "Today's events show the depth of the dysfunction within the Republican Party and the extent to which they'll go to oppose any type of immigration reform. To take our Department of Homeland Security to the brink of a shutdown is irresponsible and puts our country at risk. With that said, I voted in favor of a one week funding for the sole purpose of … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Sens. Wyden, Boozman, Rep. Takano Introduce Bill Ensuring Equal Treatment For Guardsmen And Reservists
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and John Boozman, R-Ark., along with Rep. Mark Takano, D-Ca., today introduced the GI Bill Fairness Act, legislation that would ensure wounded Guardsmen and Reservists receive the GI Bill benefits they've earned. Members of the Guard or Reserve who are wounded in combat are often given orders under 10 USC 12301(h) for their recovery, treatment and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, federal law does not recognize such orders as eligible for … Continue Reading
February 19, 2015
Representatives Mark Takano, Mike Honda, Doris Matsui Introduce House Resolution To Recognize Day Of Remembrance
Washington DC -Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced a House resolution to recognize the "Day of Remembrance" on February 19. Signed on February 19, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Executive Order 9066 authorized the Secretary of War to designate certain areas as military zones and was used as the legal rationale to deport Japanese Americans, Italian Americans and German Americans to internment camps during World War II. … Continue Reading
February 11, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on President Obama’s Authorization for Use of Military Force Proposal
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after President Obama delivered his 2015 State of the Union address: "Tonight, we heard from President Obama on the state of our union and his vision for the next year. During his speech, the President laid out a bold plan, one that focuses on the ideals of our great nation - including fairness for working and middle class families and our immigrant communities. "By focusing his economic proposals on the middle … Continue Reading