Press Releases
Over 100 Democrats in House, Senate Send Letter to President Obama in Support of New Overtime Rule
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama announced last month that the Department of Labor (DOL) intends to raise the salary threshold below which workers must receive overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week. Today, nearly 150 Democrats across both chambers of Congress-led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03)-sent a letter to the President in strong support of the rule. Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) expressed his strong support … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Iran Nuclear Agreement
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after it was announced that the P5+1 nations have reached a nuclear agreement with Iran: "Today's historic announcement is a culmination of years of hard work by many people. While initial reports indicate that the agreement is what we sought, in that it prioritizes peace and safety over aggression and isolation, I plan to read the agreement in its entirety, confer with experts and meet with the Administration about how it … Continue Reading
July 08, 2015
Former Teacher Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the Student Success Act
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after voting against HR 5, also known as the Student Success Act: "While I consider No Child Left Behind to be a complete and total failure that must be revamped, I voted against HR 5, as it cuts too deep and takes too many steps backward. For more than 50 years, Title I has created opportunity for low-income children, and we know how effective Title I is when it is properly funded. Unfortunately, HR 5 locks in cuts instead … Continue Reading
June 30, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Expansion of Overtime Pay
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced its rule expanding overtime pay for millions of Americans: "For more than 30 years, working and middle class Americans have seen their incomes remain relatively flat, leading to the highest level of income inequality in decades. However, today's announcement by the Department of Labor will help begin to close at that gap, as the DOL intends to raise the salary threshold for overtime pay … Continue Reading
June 26, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court issued its decision on Obergefell v. Hodges: "Today, the Supreme Court threw a giant wedding bouquet to gay couples everywhere by ruling that all Americans, no matter their sexual orientation, are able to receive the legal benefits that come with marriage. But more so than that, it tells LGBT Americans that they are the same as every other American and that the bliss that comes with … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement Supreme Court King v. Burwell Ruling
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court issued its decision on King v. Burwell: "I am pleased that the Supreme Court has once again upheld the Affordable Care Act. By my count, the ACA's legitimacy has now been affirmed by not only a presidential election, but by two Supreme Court cases. The ACA has always been Constitutional, and it is helping millions of Americans access quality, affordable health care. It is time for … Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Gainful Employment Rule Being Upheld by District Court
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the United States District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the Department of Education's gainful employment rule: "I am pleased the District Court in Washington DC has upheld the Education Department's gainful employment rule and that another hurdle is cleared in the fight to protect students from bad actors in the for-profit college industry. The fact remains that too many for-profit colleges are taking … Continue Reading
June 22, 2015
Sen. Blumenthal, Reps. Brown, Takano And Colleagues Urge Va To Increase Protections For Veterans Against For-Profit College Predatory Practices
(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) ), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, joined Congresswoman Corinne Brown (D-Fla.), Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC), and Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of HVAC Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, in leading a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in which they urged VA to include a "risk index" in the GI Bill Comparison Tool, an online … Continue Reading
June 12, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Votes No on Trade Legislation
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano voted against a series of trade bills, including Trade Adjustment Assistance and Trade Promotional Authority. After the votes, Rep. Takano released the following statement: "Earlier today, I voted against a series of bills that would pave the way for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement with 12 nations in the Asia Pacific region. While I do support Trade Adjustment Assistance in principle, I do not support paying for TAA by … Continue Reading
June 11, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Unveils New Website Designed by CreativEngine
Washington, DC - This week, Rep. Mark Takano unveiled his new official website at www.takano.house.gov. Created by the Los Angeles based design firm CreativEngine, the website utilizes cutting edge technology and features a clean, modern design. Visitors to the website will be able to access Rep. Takano's recent press releases, view speeches given from the House floor, learn about upcoming events, access information in Spanish, and receive help with a Federal agency. Visitors will also be … Continue Reading
June 08, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the Department of Education Expanding Debt Relief for Corinthian Students
Washington, DC - On Monday afternoon, the Department of Education announced that it would be expanding debt relief for students of Corinthian Colleges. After the announcement, Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement: "Today's announcement from the Department of Education is welcome news to those who were defrauded and mislead by Corinthian Colleges. By expanding the requirements needed to receive debt relief, and announcing that a 'Special Master' will oversee this borrower defense … Continue Reading
May 15, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Votes No on National Defense Authorization Act
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act: "Earlier today, I voted no on the National Defense Authorization Act, which would fund our Department of Defense and determine how money is spent within the DoD, despite supporting the NDAA in the past. I would have been happy to support the NDAA this year, especially since it contains a version of the Work for Warriors Act legislation that I introduced … Continue Reading
May 14, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Attempting to Restore Education Benefits for Servicemembers Attending Colleges that Suddenly Close
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which would restore eligibility for Department of Defense benefits, including tuition assistance, if an individual is unable to complete their education due to the closure of the school. Last month, Corinthian Colleges Inc. closed its remaining campuses, leaving more than 16,000 students in limbo and thousands of employees without a job. It is estimated that the … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Legislation Granting VA Health Providers Collective Bargaining Rights
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the VA Employee Fairness Act of 2015, which would repeal the provision in existing law that prohibits Veterans Health Administration nurses and health care providers from being able to bargain collectively to improve staffing levels and compensation. Currently, the VA places limitation on the ability of nurses and other frontline health care providers to collectively bargain on issues related to compensation or staffing. Such … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Higher Education Regulation Legislation to Protect Students
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the Protections and Regulations for Our Students Act, also known as the PRO Students Act. Currently, 30 State Attorneys General, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Securities Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Department of Justice are investigating for-profit colleges for fraudulent practices. Earlier this week, Corinthian … Continue Reading
April 29, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Speech to Congress
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressed a joint session of Congress: "I thank Prime Minister Abe for addressing Congress earlier today and reaffirming the bond between our nations, which has only grown stronger over time. I was especially moved when Prime Minister Abe offered his condolences to the Americans lost during World War II and when Lt. General Lawrence Snowden, who served in Iwo Jima, shook the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Rep. Mark Takano Statement After Attending Oral Arguments for Obergefell v. Hodges
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), one of the seven openly gay Members of Congress, released the following statement after attending oral arguments for the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which questions whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to grant and/or recognize same-sex marriages: "During oral arguments for Obergefell v. Hodges, the legal team for the plaintiffs made it clear, as it has always been, that the Constitution is intended to grant rights - not strip … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
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