Press Releases
Currently showing results in the 113th Congress
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
October 17, 2013
Rep. Takano Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to End the Government Shutdown and Raise the Debt Ceiling
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released the following statement after both houses of Congress passed a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling: "I'm pleased to see that Congress has passed legislation that will reopen the government and ensure that America will not default on its debts. This deadlock has done great damage to our nation and no one has suffered more than the American people, as the shutdown has cost taxpayers $4.8 billion and … Continue Reading
October 10, 2013
Rep. Takano Joined by Eight Other California House Democrats on House Floor to Speak Against the Government Shutdown
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) was joined by eight other Members from the California House Delegation on the House floor to speak against the government shutdown and to lay out its devastating effects on the state. Accompanied by Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (CA-35), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2), Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), and Rep. Tony Cardenas … Continue Reading
October 09, 2013
Rep. Takano Issues Statement on Shutdown Threatening Veterans Benefits
Washington DC - Earlier today, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki gave testimony to the House Veterans Affairs Committee on the impact the government shutdown is having on the VA. In his testimony, Secretary Shinseki said that on November 1, nearly 4 million veterans will not receive compensation payments, and pension payments would stop for nearly 315,000 veterans. He also testified that more than 200,000 surviving spouses and dependents would be affected. After … Continue Reading
October 04, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano to Refuse Pay During Government Shutdown
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano issued a statement declaring he will refuse pay during the government shutdown: "One of the basic functions of Congress is to keep our government running. The House Republicans' refusal to do so has harmed hundreds of thousands of Americans, as they are now on furlough and unable to earn a paycheck. "Therefore, in solidarity with the federal employees, I will not accept pay until this present crisis is over. Members of Congress serve … Continue Reading
October 04, 2013
EVENT: Rep. Mark Takano Service Academy Day Saturday, October 12!
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October 01, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano Keeps Offices Open and Functioning - Issues Shutdown Guidelines for Residents
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano issued guidelines for constituents on how government services will be affected and announced that his DC and Riverside office will remain open throughout the shutdown. Residents are encouraged to visit the information on Takano's website. There, residents will learn about the effects of a temporary government shutdown. The page will also be updated as new information becomes available and agencies update their contingency plans. Residents … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano Praises the U.S. Department of Transportation Green Lighting Perris Valley Line Construction Activities
Washington DC - Earlier today, the United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration sent the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) a Letter of No Prejudice, effectively green lighting the RCTC's ability to incur costs for construction activities for the Perris Valley Line. "I'm pleased that the Department of Transportation issued a Letter of No Prejudice to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, allowing the RCTC to incur costs for the Perris … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano Issues Statement on Federal Government Shutdown
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano issued the following statement after the federal government was shutdown due to a lack of an appropriation of funds: "As of midnight tonight, the United States Federal Government has officially shut down due to a lack of appropriations. "The actions taken in recent days by Speaker Boehner and the House Republicans have been shameful. They have pulled nearly every legislative trick in the book to force Senate Leader Reid to give in to their … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
Rep. Mark Takano Issues Statement on Federal Government Shutdown Developments
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano issued the following statement after Speaker John Boehner announced he would not attempt to pass a clean continuing resolution before the government would shutdown: "I am shocked, but not surprised, that Speaker Boehner and the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party decided at the eleventh hour to send another continuing resolution to the Senate that includes provisions that affect the Affordable Care Act. Time and time again, House Republicans have shown … Continue Reading
September 17, 2013
Riverside County Congressional Delegation Seeks Hearing to Improve Efficiency and Communication with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Washington DC - Earlier today, members of the Riverside County Congressional Delegation (Rep. Mark Takano [D-Riverside], Rep. Ken Calvert [R-Corona], Rep. Raul Ruiz [D-Palm Desert], and Rep. Duncan Hunter [R-Temecula]) sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers requesting hearings regarding recent struggles EB-5 regional centers in the Riverside area have been having with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In the letter, the … Continue Reading
September 09, 2013
Rep. Takano Issues Statement on Department of Education’s Gainful Employment Regulation Process
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) issued the following statement as the Department of Education-designated negotiated rulemaking committee began meetings to establish gainful employment regulations for career-oriented higher education programs: "I'm pleased to see the Department of Education moving forward with the process of establishing gainful employment standards for career-oriented programs at institutions of higher education. It is important that students who choose … Continue Reading
September 04, 2013
Rep. Takano Statement on Attorney General Holder Refusing to Enforce Remaining DOMA Provision for Veterans and Service Members
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after United States Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner informing him that the United States will no longer enforce Title 38 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which limits benefits provided to veterans and their families, and in certain instances, active-duty service members and their spouses: "I'm pleased to see Attorney General Holder's decision not to enforce the remaining … Continue Reading
September 04, 2013
Rep. Takano to Hold Federal Grants Workshop September 7
Washington DC - Rep. Mark Takano will hold a federal grants workshop on Saturday, September 7 at Riverside City College at 10:00am. The event will be attended by representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Economic Development Administration. Each department will present information on their federal funding programs, the application process, who should apply for a particular … Continue Reading
September 03, 2013
Rep. Takano Releases Riverside County Transportation Survey Report – Will Tour Local Transportation Sites Today
Washington DC - Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released "The State of Transportation in the Inland Empire" report, which explored the impact of aging infrastructure and access to public transportation on the residents of California's 41st Congressional District. In May, Takano organized a transportation and infrastructure survey for residents to better assess their transportation needs. "In 2010, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the transportation infrastructure in … Continue Reading