Press Releases
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on For-Profit College Rule Being Overturned
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after a U.S. District Court judge overturned a Department of Education rule that limits how the schools recruit students: “Today’s decision by the D.C. District Court overturning a Department of Education rule that limits bonuses to recruiters based on the number of students they enroll who graduate is misguided and goes against the interest of students and taxpayers. With the for-profit college industry accounting for … Continue Reading
October 01, 2014
Schwartz, Takano and Davis Lead Efforts to Ensure Same-Sex Couples Receive the Social Security Benefits They've Earned
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13), Mark Takano (CA-41), and Susan A. Davis (CA-53) led 127 U.S. Representatives today in urging the Social Security Administration to improve outreach to same-sex couples. State and federal laws determining Social Security benefits for same-sex couples have changed significantly in recent years. Prior to 2013, same-sex couples were unable to obtain Social Security benefits, even if they were legally married and lived in a state … Continue Reading
October 01, 2014
Rep. Takano Applauds the VA Awarding $3 million for Riverside County Homeless Veterans
Washington DC - Yesterday, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced it was dedicating $207 million toward the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that will help 70,000 homeless veterans in their families. Riverside County, which has the eighth largest number of veterans in the nation, will receive $3 million. The SSVF program will provide supportive services to veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The veterans … Continue Reading
September 30, 2014
Rep. Takano Statement on the Supreme Court Blocking Ohio Early Voting
Washington DC -Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court blocked early voting in Ohio: “Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court’s conservative bloc to limit early voting in Ohio goes against one of our nation’s fundamental rights - the right to vote. Early voting in Ohio and other states allows millions of voices to be heard that might otherwise be unable to participate in our democracy. By shortening early voting and eliminating ‘Golden … Continue Reading
September 22, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano U.S. Service Academy Information Night Event
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September 17, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Celebrates Rubidoux Community Services District Being Awarded Funds to Replace Wastewater Facilities
Last year, the staff of Rep. Mark Takano met with Rubidoux CSD Director Skerbelis and inquired with the Federal Emergency Management Agency about funds for the Rubidoux Community Services District. In July, the Rubidoux Community Services District received word that they will be receiving $915,991.00 from FEMA and $360,185.00 from CalEMA. Rubidoux Community Services District General Manager sent the following letter to Rep. Takano thanking him and his staff for their role in the … Continue Reading
September 17, 2014
Rep. Takano Votes No on Amendment to Train and Equip Syrian Rebels
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano voted “no” on the Amendment to train and equip elements of the Syrian opposition. After the vote, Rep. Takano released the following statement: “After receiving briefings from Administration officials and Congressional leadership, and speaking with numerous national security officials and experts, I decided to vote against the McKeon amendment that would train and equip elements of the Syrian opposition for the purpose of confronting and … Continue Reading
September 10, 2014
Rep. Takano Statement on LGBT Veterans Benefits Amendment
Washington DC - Earlier this morning, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced an amendment in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs based on her bipartisan bill H.R. 2529, the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act. The Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act amends the definition of “spouse” in Title 38 of the U.S. Code to ensure equal treatment for same-sex spouses, thereby aligning the VA with the Department of Defense and the Supreme Court ruling in Windsor v. U.S. Supported by the VA, the change … Continue Reading
August 29, 2014
Rep. Takano Meets with Border Agents, Mexican Government Officials at U.S.-Mexico Border Facility
Washington DC - Earlier this morning, Rep. Mark Takano traveled to McAllen, Texas with a delegation of Congressional members to meet with members of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, U.S. border patrol and enforcement officials and a delegation from the Mexican government. Rep. Takano visited Hidalgo International Bridge, the McAllen Border Patrol Station, and the Department of Health and Human Services BCFS Harlingen Children’s Facility. While at the Hidalgo International … Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Rep. Takano Releases 100 Businesses of the Inland Empire Report
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released a report titled “100 Businesses of the Inland Empire,” which uses the knowledge gained through the 100 Business Tour that he conducted last year. Takano visited book stores, coffee shops, manufacturers, software companies, retailers, and a number of other types of businesses across the Inland Empire. Although the businesses varied in size, location, and business sector, some of the most common concerns that business owners … Continue Reading
August 19, 2014
Rep. Takano Releases Report on Public Transportation in Riverside County for Seniors and Disabled
Washington DC - Earlier this morning, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released a report titled “Public Transportation In Riverside County: How to Break Down Barriers to Access for the Disabled and Elderly” during an event with the Riverside Transit Agency about the RTA’s Travel Training Program. The report details the difficulty seniors and disabled residents in Riverside County have while using public transportation. Some key finding in the report: By 2015, more than 15.5 million … Continue Reading
July 30, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Announces Legislation to Protect Students from For-Profit Colleges
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41) announced the Protections and Regulations for Our Students Act (PRO Students Act) in a press conference with Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) and Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09). The legislation would: Require proprietary institutions to derive at least 15% of their revenue from non-federal student aid and ensure that military and veterans’ education benefits are included in that calculation. Prohibit schools from using … Continue Reading
July 30, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Legislation to Let Deaf and Hard of Hearing Serve in the Air Force
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced legislation that 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 Garamendi, Rep. Henry Waxman, 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 that would exclude an … Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Provision Included in Conference Committee Legislation
Washington, DC - Veterans’ Affairs Conference Committee Member Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after it was announced that the final legislation would include a provision championed by Takano: “Yesterday’s announcement was a good step forward in increasing access to treatment for our veterans. As the final language was released late last night, I was pleased to see that the deal includes one important item that I recommended to the committee - an increase in medical … Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Confirmation of Bob McDonald as Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Bob McDonald as the next Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary: “I am pleased to see the Senate has confirmed Bob McDonald as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. With the VA Conference Committee agreeing on a deal last night and Mr. McDonald being confirmed today, I am encouraged by the steps we are taking to fix the problems at the VA so that it is able to serve our … Continue Reading
July 28, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano to Introduce Comprehensive For-Profit College Legislation to Protect Students
Washington, DC - On Wednesday, July 30 at 2:00pm, Rep. Mark Takano will hold a press conference to announce the PRO Students Act (Protections and Regulations for Our Students Act) - a comprehensive piece of legislation intended to protect students from questionable for-profit colleges. Rep. Susan Davis and Rep. Steve Cohen, who are co-leads of the PRO Students Act, will also attend. WHAT: Rep. Mark Takano PRO Students Act Press Conference WHO: Rep. Mark Takano … Continue Reading
July 28, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the VA Conference Committee Deal
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Jeff Miller announced that an agreement had been reached to reform our VA system. The agreement would: Allow veterans who face long wait times for appointments or who live more than 40 miles away from a VA facility to instead seek care with private doctors who take Medicare, community health centers, Indian Health Service and Department of Defense facilities. Allow the immediate firing of high-level … Continue Reading
July 24, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the VA Conference Committee
Washington, DC - VA Conference Committee Member Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after House Republicans decided to forego bipartisan negotiations to fix the VA system: “The VA Conference Committee is about ensuring our nation’s heroes get the quality, timely care they need and deserve, and it is our duty to work on a compromise that does just that. Unfortunately, it seems as though House Republicans have decided to forgo collective and bipartisan negotiations, … Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano to Participate in “Live the Wage” Challenge
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano announced that he would participate in the “Live the Wage” challenge by living for one week, starting tomorrow, July 24, on just $77 - which is the amount left over for average full time minimum wage workers after taxes and housing expenses. More than 600 economists and business leaders have called on Congress to raise the minimum wage, which would boost the wages of 28 million workers by $35 billion, generate $22 billion in economic … Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
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 … Continue Reading