Press Releases
United States House of Representatives Passes Legislation Introduced by Rep. Mark Takano
Washington DC - Earlier today, the United States House of Representatives passed the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act (H.R. 357), a bipartisan piece of legislation that would improve veterans benefits with regards to education, vocational rehabilitation, and job training. The GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act includes the VetSuccess Enhancement Act (H.R. 844) and the Work Study for Student Veterans Act (H.R. 1453), both of which were originally introduced by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside). Upon … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Rep. Takano and Sen. Carper Applaud New Website for Student Veterans to Report Abuses by Colleges
This morning, Rep. Takano and Sen. Carper commended the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense as they unveiled their new complaint intake website for student veterans who feel that they have been deceived, abused, or otherwise taken advantage of by colleges. Rep. Takano said, “I am very pleased to see the VA and DOD take up this issue. Many for-profit colleges specifically target veterans, using aggressive recruitment tactics that intentionally invoke pain and fear to … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on the Retirement of Henry Waxman
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) issued the following statement after Rep. Henry Waxman announced his retirement from the House of Representatives after serving nearly forty years: "I was saddened to learn that Henry Waxman announced his retirement earlier today. I have long admired his tireless work on the environment, consumer protection and health care. While his record of accomplishments is vast, most notably, his dedicated crusade against the tobacco industry in the 90's … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
Rep. Takano Reacts to SOTU; Urges Increased Commitment to Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - In reaction to President Obama’s remarks regarding veterans in last night’s State of the Union Address, Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41) released the following statement: “I was encouraged by Congress’ bipartisan support for President Obama’s remarks regarding veterans in last night’s State of the Union address. The president’s account of Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg’s resolve reminds us all of what we know to be true—our veterans are capable of tackling any obstacle blocking … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Rep. Takano Statement on President Obama’s Executive Order Raising the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after President Obama announced that he would raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers through an Executive Order: “The President’s announcement today that he will raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers is a huge victory for working class Americans. By taking this single action, hundreds of thousands of Americans who work hard every single day, yet still struggle just to get by will finally be able to … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Rep. Takano Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Speech
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after President Obama delivered his State of the Union speech: "Earlier tonight, President Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union speech and laid out his vision for 2014. Throughout his remarks, the President called on Congress to act on the important issues that face our nation. "I join the President in calling for Congress to pursue legislation that would create jobs and expand economic opportunity for all … Continue Reading
January 27, 2014
Rep. Takano Statement on Goldman Sachs-American Homes 4 Rent Bond Deal
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano issued the following statement after it was announced that American Homes 4 Rent, which is the second-largest single-family landlord in the nation, struck a deal with Goldman Sachs to arrange a bond backed by rental payments: “The deal between Goldman Sachs and American Homes 4 Rent further illustrates the need for Congressional hearings and regulation on rental backed securities. This second deal shows a clear pattern for investment groups who are looking … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Rep. Takano Calls for Congressional Hearings into Rental Backed Securities
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano sent a letter to House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling and Ranking Member Maxine Waters requesting Congressional hearings into single-family rental backed securities that are being developed by The Blackstone Group. In the letter, Rep. Takano says, “The Financial Services Committee can help resolve unanswered questions about these new bonds and the impact they may have on the housing market. Proper oversight of new financial … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Rep. Takano Releases “Rent on the Rise in Riverside” Report
Washington DC - Earlier today, Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) released his “Rent on the Rise in Riverside” report showing that one in three renters in Riverside County is paying more than fifty percent of their income on rent, a twenty percent increase since 2007. The report also show that the number of people paying more than half of their income on rent in Riverside County is rising faster than other Southern California counties. The report, gathered from information available in the … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano voted in favor of H.R.3547, the Fiscal Year 2014 omnibus appropriations bill and released the following statement: “For the past several years, Congress has unfortunately imposed many self-inflicted economic wounds, including implementing sequestration, failing to raise the debt limit, and shutting down the government. This deep dysfunction has slowed our recovery and cost us jobs. “However, the bipartisan budget passed late last year … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Rep. Mark Takano Releases Year-End Report for California’s 41st Congressional District
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released his year-end report for California’s 41st Congressional District. “Throughout 2013, my staff and I were committed to providing a level of constituent services and representation that residents of the Inland Empire have not had in decades,” said Rep. Takano. “This report, which shows that my office returned over $1 million in benefits to constituents, held numerous town halls, and responded to thousands of residents … Continue Reading
December 06, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano to Attend Major Announcement Regarding Perris Valley Line December 9
Washington, DC - On Monday, December 9, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) will attend a funding announcement regarding the Perris Valley Line. WHAT: Perris Valley Line Funding Announcement WHO: Representative Mark Takano Representative Ken Calvert Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan Perris Mayor Daryl Busch Riverside County Transportation Commission Chair Karen Spiegel Supervisor Marion Ashley WHERE: Perris Transit … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
El Congresista Takano Ayunara en Apoyo a la Reforma Migratoria Comprensiva
Washington, DC - Anoche, el Congresista Mark Takano (D- Riverside) se reunió con el grupo Fast for Families, que han estado ayudando por varias semanas en apoyo a una reforma de inmigración. El martes pasado, después de ayunar por 22 días, Eliseo Medina suspendió su ayuno y lo paso al Congresista Joe Kennedy (MA-4). El Congresista Kennedy a su vez paso su ayuno después de 24 horas al Congresista Juan Vargas (CA-51), quien igual después de 24 horas paso su ayuno al Congresista Joe Garcia … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Rep. Takano to Fast in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Washington DC - Last night, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) met with the immigration group Fast for Families, who have fasted for the past several weeks in support of comprehensive immigration reform. This past Tuesday, after fasting for 22-days, Eliseo Medina broke his fast by passing it on to Representative Joe Kennedy (MA-4). Rep. Kennedy passed the fast on to Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51), who then passed the fast on to Representative Joe Garcia (FL-26). On December 6 at 8:00 … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Rep. Takano Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect LGBT Veterans and Families
Washington DC - Last night, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) helped introduce the bipartisan Protecting the Freedoms and Benefits for All Veterans Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation, led by Rep. Takano, Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), would ensure that LGBT veterans, spouses, and their families cannot be denied benefits (including but not limited to death pensions, life insurance, educational assistance, and bereavement counseling), … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Rep. Takano Reads Letters from Local Inland Empire Residents and Businesses on House Floor
Washington DC - Yesterday, Rep. Mark Takano took to the floor of the House of Representatives and read from several letters from local Inland Empire residents about the broken immigration system and how it has affected their lives. Two of the letters read by Rep. Takano were from local children and another was from a local wife and mother. The letters detailed their struggles with the broken immigration system and how it has resulted in the separation of their families. Rep. Takano … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Paul Cook Form Bipartisan Work for Warriors Caucus
Washington DC - This week, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and Rep. Paul Cook (R-Victorville) formed the Work for Warriors Caucus, a bipartisan Congressional caucus which will promote and increase awareness of California’s extremely successful Work for Warriors program. The Work for Warriors program was established in 2012 and originally used only state funding to achieve its mission of reducing unemployment in the California National Guard by 25%. Due to the success of the program, the … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Rep. Takano Statement on the Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the Senate
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano issued the following statement after the United States Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by a 64-32 vote: “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. Senate affirms that discrimination of our LGBT workers can no longer be tolerated. Discrimination in the workplace takes the form of harassment, fewer job opportunities, and a gap in wages between LGBT and straight employees. It’s time for the House of … Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
Congress in Your Community U.S. House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing
Washington, DC - The House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee has chosen to hold a field hearing in Riverside that will address the services higher education institutions are offering to veterans. The hearing will allow local Riverside schools to tell members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee more about the programs and services they offer to veterans and determine how they can serve as models for the rest of the country. WHAT: U.S. House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs … Continue Reading
October 28, 2013
Rep. Takano Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013
Washington DC - Earlier today, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Mark Takano (D-Riverside) applauded the unanimous passage of the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 (H.R. 2481). Included in the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 was H.R. 331, which Rep. Takano joined Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) to introduce in January. This legislation will help decrease education benefit processing times by eliminating unnecessary and … Continue Reading