Press Releases
Ranking Member Takano and VA Under Secretary for Health Elnahal Visit VA Loma Linda
RIVERSIDE, CA— Yesterday, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, visited the VA Loma Linda Health Care System. Together, they met with the local VA leadership team and union leaders, held a veteran roundtable, and conducted two VA employee town halls. They also visited the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans' Hospital, the VA Ambulatory Care Center, and … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Reps. Takano, Casten, Foster, Beyer, and Sen. Luján Work to Modernize Technology Access and Knowledge in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Reps. Mark Takano (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) reintroduced the Office of Technology Assessment Improvement and Enhancement Act. This bill will strengthen the existing authorization for the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) by structuring the office to be more responsive and accessible to Members’ needs. For more than twenty years, the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), an … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on New Four-Day Workweek Findings
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on a new report from 4 Day Week Global. The report, released after the extended monitoring of US and Canadian businesses participating in a shortened workweek pilot program, confirmed previous findings that the four-day workweek reduces burnout and improves employee satisfaction while maintaining or improving revenue. “4 Day Week Global’s latest study make the urgent need for my Thirty-Two … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the House passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. “Maintaining America’s gold standard in aviation is essential as we work to bolster safety and investment in our aviation infrastructure. I’m pleased to have voted yes for bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years. “This legislation … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on House Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the House voted 219-210 to advance H.R.2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). The NDAA is an annual defense policy bill, which authorizes $874 billion in discretionary spending to support Department of Defense (DoD) programs. “While the FY24 NDAA is intended to strengthen our military and build on our defense operations, it has been coopted to … Continue Reading
July 12, 2023
Reps. Takano, Lofgren, Nadler, Correa, Vargas, Ruiz, Salazar, Radewagen Reintroduce Veteran Service Recognition Act
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Mark Takano (CA-39), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Lou Correa (CA-46), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS) released a statement after reintroducing the Veteran Service Recognition Act. The Veteran Service Recognition Act would allow noncitizen servicemembers to apply for naturalization during basic training, establish a review process for those who are in removal … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis Decision
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s 303 Creative v. Elenis decision. “The Supreme Court’s decision to allow anti-LGBTQI+ discrimination under the guise of ‘free speech’ in the 303 Creative v. Elenis decision is horrifying and stunning. Though the scope of businesses that can discriminate is limited, this extreme and unchecked Court has thrown into question the scrope of public … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Strike Down Student Loan Forgiveness
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. “Today, the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, ripping desperately needed relief from borrowers just 24 hours after the Court ruled to nullify affirmative action in college admissions. “Coupled together, both the affirmative … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions, INC, v President and Fellows of Harvard College ruling. “Today the Supreme Court upended decades of precedent regarding affirmative action policies intended to increase the representation of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups by overturning Grutter v. Bollinger. “As an Asian American graduate of the University of … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Rep. Takano Reintroduces the Equality Act
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the reintroduction of the Equality Act. “The promise of democracy means a great deal to me personally because I have felt the sting of its denial. As the first openly gay person of color to serve in Congress, I am acutely aware of the impacts lawful discrimination has on our marginalized communities in the United States, and the LGBTQI+ community have been subject to discrimination, … Continue Reading
June 09, 2023
Rep. Takano Announces $15 Million Federal Grant for Riverside Rail Transportation
RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement announcing the allocation of $15 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to the City of Riverside for the Third Street Grade Separation Project. This funding will be distributed as a part of the newly created Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, which aims to eliminate potential risks and enhance transportation efficiency across the nation. Rep. … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Reps. Takano, Watson Coleman, Tlaib Reintroduce Legislation to End Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rates
WASHINGTON, DC (June 6, 2023) - Today, Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) reintroduced a bill to ensure insurance companies use only driving-related factors in determining car insurance rates and eligibility. The Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act, or PAID Act would end the use of income, credit score, education levels, and other factors unrelated to driving history and ability, preventing insurance companies from using these … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
Mark Takano Statement on the Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement
Mark Takano Statement on the Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Mark Takano (CA-39), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 3746, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement: “This evening, I voted for the Bipartisan Budget Agreement. During the lead up to this bill’s negotiation, as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
What People Are Saying: Report on the State of Air Quality in California’s 39th Congressional District
What People Are Saying: Report on the State of Air Quality in California’s 39th Congressional District RIVERSIDE, CA – Three weeks ago, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released The State of Air Quality in California’s 39th Congressional District: a comprehensive report detailing the air quality conditions in California’s 39th Congressional District, its impacts on local residents, and potential policy solutions. Here is what leading local environmental advocates … Continue Reading
May 24, 2023
Rep. Takano Celebrates Riverside Art Museum as a 2023 Recipient of the Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor
RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement celebrating the Riverside Art Museum’s selection as one of eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. “Congratulations to the Riverside Art Museum and the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture on … Continue Reading
May 22, 2023
Rep. Takano Celebrates Passage of Korean American VALOR Act
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released a statement after his Korean American VALOR Act passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. This bill allows veterans who served in the armed forces of the Republic of Korea during the Vietnam War and have since become naturalized U.S. citizens to be eligible for healthcare services through the VA. “Naturalized … Continue Reading
May 12, 2023
Reps. Takano, Schiff, Hayes, Larson, Sen. Booker Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Boost Teacher Compensation
Under the RAISE Act, educators would be eligible to claim up to $15,000 in new, refundable tax credits WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) reintroduced the bicameral Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act, legislation that would boost teacher compensation by putting tax money back in their pockets and help diversify the … Continue Reading
May 02, 2023
Rep. Takano Releases Report on the State of Air Quality in California’s 39th Congressional District
RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released a report describing air quality conditions in California’s 39th Congressional District, the impact of poor air quality on Riverside families, and offering potential solutions to address this persistent issue. The report, The State of Air Quality in California’s 39th Congressional District, reveals that air quality in Riverside County continues to be some of the worst in the nation and places a significant burden on … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Rep. Takano Celebrates Passage of Korean American VALOR Act out of Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passed the bipartisan Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief (VALOR) Act (H.R. 366), sponsored by Ranking Member Mark Takano. Since 1958, through its Allied Beneficiary Program, the VA has been furnishing healthcare services to veterans of any era who served in the armed forces of European nations that were allies of the U.S. during World War I and World War II. The Korean American VALOR Act would … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Rep. Takano Statement on Default on America Act
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after voting NO on House Republicans’ Default on America Act. “Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans’ extreme debt ceiling proposal puts our social safety net programs, our nation’s economic future, and the global economy into calamitous peril. Make no mistake — by proposing these draconian … Continue Reading