Press Releases
Rep. Takano Introduces Legislation to Reduce the Standard Workweek to 32 Hours
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced legislation that would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours by lowering the maximum hours threshold for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). A shorter workweek would benefit both employers and employees alike. Pilot programs run by governments and businesses across the globe have shown promising results as productivity climbed and workers reported better … Continue Reading
July 16, 2021
Rep. Takano Secures $6 Million to Fund Community Development Projects Across Riverside County
Riverside, CA - The House Committee on Appropriations passed the FY22 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill, as well as the FY22 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies spending bill, which together include $6,050,000 that Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) helped secure to fund seven community development projects across Riverside County. The projects that were funded in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and … Continue Reading
July 08, 2021
Rep. Takano Statement on Second Installment of GAO Report on the Use of Forensic Algorithms by Law Enforcement
Riverside, CA – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the release of part two of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the use of forensic algorithms by law enforcement. The report titled, “Forensic Technology: Algorithms Strengthen Forensic Analysis, but Several Factors Can Affect Outcomes,” provides an assessment on the use of forensic algorithms and gives policy recommendations to help address challenges with the use of forensic … Continue Reading
July 02, 2021
Rep. Takano Applauds Biden Administration Action to Support Noncitizen Veterans, Servicemembers, and their Families
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released this statement following a DHS and VA announcement of an initiative to support noncitizen servicemembers, veterans, and immediate family members. "Deported veterans are exiled from the country they were willing to die for, and their deportation prevents them from accessing the VA benefits they earned and that they are legally entitled to. Servicemembers and their families also … Continue Reading
July 02, 2021
Rep. Takano Secures $1 Million to Improve Access to Clean Water in Mead Valley
Washington, DC - The House Committee on Appropriations passed the FY22 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill which included $1 million that Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) helped secure to fund the Mead Valley Water Booster Station Replacement Project. The Mead Valley Water Booster Station, constructed in 1964, is nearing the end of its useful life. This project aims to rehabilitate the exhausted pumps at the facility to ensure that a traditionally underserved community in … Continue Reading
July 01, 2021
Rep. Takano Statement on Passage of the INVEST in America Act
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the House passage of the INVEST in America Act, a five-year, $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill that will create jobs, invest in workers and communities of all sizes, and tackle the climate crisis head on. This bill includes $20 million in contract authority to fund the I-15 northern extension project, which Rep. Takano helped secure. "The INVEST in America Act … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Rep. Takano votes to Establish a Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Insurrection
Washington, DC - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) voted to establish a Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol. H.Res. 503 will create a Select Committee charged with investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes, as well as making recommendations to prevent similar domestic terrorist attacks. "On January 6, 2021, Americans across the country watched as the U.S. Capitol was overrun by a violent mob of Trump supporters on a mission to stop the … Continue Reading
June 21, 2021
Rep. Takano Secures $20 Million to Fund the I-15 Northern Extension Project in the INVEST in America Act
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced $20 million in funding for the Interstate 15 (1-15) Northern Extension project. Rep. Takano's request for this funding was included in H.R. 2684, the INVEST in America Act, which advanced out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on a bipartisan basis. "I submitted a funding request in support of the 1-15 Northern Extension project because it has the potential to create thousands of jobs across Southern … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
Rep. Takano Votes to Repeal the 2002 Iraq AUMF
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) voted in favor of H.R. 256, Repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. This legislation ensures that this obsolete authorization can no longer be used for unrelated military operations, while not precluding our nation from defending our military and diplomatic personnel in Iraq. "For nearly two decades, the 2002 Iraq AUMF has been used to justify unlawful military action in the Middle East … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
Rep. Takano Reintroduces Unsubscribe Act to Protect Online Consumers
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Unsubscribe Act to protect consumers from being tricked into paying monthly membership fees without their explicit consent. The bill directly addresses the business tactic of negative option billing, which allows a customer's inaction to serve as approval to be charged for goods or services. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. "We've all been there - we sign up for a free trial … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Passage of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the House passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. This bill will designate an individual at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review reports of hate crimes, and support state and local governments by creating online hate crime reporting processes, collecting data and expanding education campaigns, and establishing grants to combat the increase of anti-AAPI discrimination in America. "There have been more … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Announces More Than $171 Million for Local Colleges, Universities, and Students
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced more than $171 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in California's 41st Congressional District under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano: American Rescue Plan’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund Now Accepting Applications
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced that restaurants and other eligible businesses in Riverside County are now able to apply for direct relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Applicants can register on the U.S. Small Business Administration application portal. The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created by the American Rescue Plan that Rep. Takano helped pass last month. "Democrats fought hard to include the Restaurant Revitalization Fund … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on President Joe Biden’s First Joint Address to Congress
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following President Joe Biden's first address before a joint session of Congress. "The American people once again have a compassionate leader in the White House that will take bold, necessary action to help our country bounce back from this crisis and lift up every American. Tonight, President Biden laid out a clear vision for his first term and the steps we need to take to help our country recover from the … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Clean Energy Storage and Reduce Energy Waste
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) reintroduced two pieces of legislation to expand clean energy storage and reduce energy waste, the Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act (STORAGE Act) and the Advancing Grid Storage Act. The STORAGE Act amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add energy storage systems to the list of strategies states should consider when developing energy plans and using its utility ratemaking authority. … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Rep. Takano and Rep. Case Reintroduce the Let It Go Act to Stop Personal Use of Campaign Funds After the Campaign Ends
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) introduced the Let It Go Act to limit how long former political candidates can hold on to campaign funds while presenting them the option to return the money to donors, donate it to charity, or transfer to another candidate - all permissible uses under current election law. "Americans are tired of corruption in Washington, they want to see change," said Rep. Mark Takano. "The Let It Go Act will help ensure that left over … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Announces Funeral Assistance for Californians Who Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) announced that FEMA began accepting applications for funeral assistance for Californians who lost loved ones to COVID-19. The funeral assistance program was included in the American Rescue Plan to provide retroactive reimbursements of up to $9,000 per burial, and up to $35,000 if applying for multiple burials. "COVID-19 has claimed more than 560,000 precious lives in our country alone, and while no amount of money can heal the loss of a … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on President Biden’s Plan to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan by September 11th
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following President Biden's announcement that he plans to withdraw all remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. "I strongly support President Biden's decision to withdraw all of our troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. In the nearly 20 years that we've been at war with Afghanistan, America has spent trillions of dollars, and the cost to families who have lost a loved one has been … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Rep. Mark Takano Reintroduces the Prevention of Anti-Immigrant Violence Act to Protect Non-Citizen Victims of Hate Crimes
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Prevention of Anti-Immigrant Violence Act in the 117th Congress. This bill aims to protect non-citizen victims of hate crimes by expanding the breadth of the U visa program and preventing their detention or deportation until their case has been adjudicated. It also provides funding to assists law enforcement agencies and groups that help protect and help victims of hate crimes to improve responses to hate crimes, promote … Continue Reading
April 08, 2021
Reps. Takano and Evans Reintroduce the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act to Protect Defendants’ Due Process Rights in the Criminal Justice System
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Penn.) reintroduced the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act to ensure that defendants have access to source code and other information necessary to exercise their confrontational and due process rights when algorithms are used to analyze evidence in their case. This legislation will also establish standards and testing to enable a robust conversation about how these algorithms work and whether they are accurate and fair … Continue Reading