Press Releases
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Nomination of David Shulkin as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Shulkin is currently the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary of Health. "Dr. David Shulkin is a respected leader with the experience necessary to direct an organization as important and complex as the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over the past 18 months, he… Continue Reading
01.09.17
Rep. Mark Takano Announces Support for Rep. Tim Walz for Ranking Member of House Veterans Committee in 115th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) released the following statement announcing his support for Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, for the position of Ranking Member of the House Veterans Committee in the 115th Congress. "The men and women who make incredible sacrifices to protect this nation do so with the promise that they will be cared for and supported when they come home. As a veteran and as a passionate advocate for th… Continue Reading
12.13.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano Statement on ACICS
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement after the Department of Education formally terminated its recognition of The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an accreditor of more than 200 for-profit schools. "I strongly support the Department of Education's decision to terminate its recognition of ACICS as a school accreditor. For many years, ACICS has enabled and… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Reported Labor Secretary Nominee Andy Puzder
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued the following statement in response to numerous reports that fast-food CEO Andy Puzder will be President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor. "The Secretary of Labor is assigned the critical role of advocating for American workers and protecting working families from injustice and abuse. Nothing in Andy Puzder's record suggests that he is prepared to fulfill that responsibility. At nearly every opportunity, Mr.… Continue Reading
11.22.16
President-Elect Trump: No Help for Veterans in the First 100 Days
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano issued the following statement in a response to a video released by President-elect Donald Trump outlining his priorities for the first 100 days of his administration. "Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to make veterans a top priority in his administration. Two months before he even takes office, it appears he is already breaking that promise. Donald Trump's list of priorities for his first 100 days in offi… Continue Reading
11.17.16
Rep. Mark Takano Calls on President-elect Trump to Denounce Comments on Japanese-American Internment
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement today calling on President-elect Donald Trump to denounce comments made by a surrogate, which referenced Japanese-American internment as precedent to justify a Muslim registry. "The imprisonment of thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II, including my parents and grandparents, is widely understood to be one of the darkest chapters in American history. More than 100,000 Japanese-Americans were accused of … Continue Reading
10.26.16
Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano Statement on Department of Defense Freezing Collection of National Guard Bonuses
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement on the Department of Defense's decision to freeze collection of California National Guard Bonuses. "I strongly support this step taken by the Department of Defense to suspend efforts to collect California National Guard enlistment bonuses awarded to servicemembers up to a decade ago. The men and women who stepped up to serve our nation in good faith should not be held accountable for other people's mist… Continue Reading
10.23.16
Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano Statement on Effort to Claw Back Bonuses Paid to Members of the California National Guard
Washington, D.C. - Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement regarding the Los Angeles Times story describing efforts to claw back bonuses and benefits improperly paid to members of the California National Guard 10 years ago. "I am appalled by the California National Guard's effort to claw back bonuses and benefits improperly paid to service members 10 years ago. Those who served in the California National Guard bear no responsibility for the mistakes and misconduct t… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano Issues Statement After President Signs Extension of Vital Veterans’ Programs, West Los Angeles Leasing Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement after President Obama signed into law the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016 and the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016. "In signing these two pieces of legislation into law, President Obama has ensured that the programs and services veterans rely on every day will continue without interruption, and that the long struggle over the West Los Angeles VA campus is finally reso… Continue Reading
09.28.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano and Progressive Co-Caucus Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Introduce Resolution Opposing VHA Privatization
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano joined Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Keith Ellison to introduce a House resolution pledging to maintain a robust Veterans Health Administration and oppose the privatization of veterans' health care. "The Veterans Health Administration represents our commitment to provide quality health care to America's veterans, and that commitment cannot be outsourced to the for-profit health care system," … Continue Reading
09.28.16
Rep. Mark Takano Statement on House Passage of Bill Delaying Implementation of Overtime Rule
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the House passed HR 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, which would delay the implementation of the Department of Labor's overtime rule for six months. "Working families have waited nearly four decades for the Department of Labor to fully restore their overtime protections, yet Republicans continue to work to deny these workers the pay and time they have earned. While… Continue Reading
09.20.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano Applauds DeVry Education Group for Taking Steps to Protect Students Veterans and Service Members
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, expressed strong support for DeVry Education Group's announcement that it will voluntarily limit the amount of federal funding it receives and close a loophole that encourages aggressive recruitment of student veterans and service members. In a statement released this morning, DeVry pledged to receive no more than 85 percent of revenue from federal sources, compared to the … Continue Reading
09.19.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano Introduces SERVICE Act to Keep America’s Promise to Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano unveiled the Supporting, Employing, and Recognizing Veterans In Communities Everywhere (SERVICE) Act, H.R. 6062, a robust package of progressive priorities for dramatically improving the care and support provided to America's veterans. The legislation addresses several key issues affecting the veterans community, including health care, education, homelessness, and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs. "The SERVICE Act… Continue Reading
09.14.16
House Passes Vital Legislation to Extend Veterans’ Programs, Address Veterans’ Homelessness, and Protect Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, applauded the House for passing two key pieces of legislation this week that will provide care and support to the veterans' community. The West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, H.R. 5936, will resolve the long struggle over the West Los Angeles VA campus to ensure it meaningfully supports the veterans' community in Southern California for years to come. In doing so, it will establi… Continue Reading
09.06.16
Acting Ranking Member Takano Seeks Support for Student Veterans Affected by ITT Tech Closur
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, called on Congress to immediately advance legislation to aid student veterans enrolled at ITT Technical Institute after the for-profit school abruptly closed today. ITT Tech's closure leaves roughly 12,500 veterans and their dependents without the job prospects they were promised or the benefits they need to continue their education. "The sudden shuttering of ITT Tech will hurt tho… Continue Reading
08.26.16
Rep. Mark Takano Applauds Department of Education for Blocking ITT Tech From Enrolling Students with Federal Aid
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Department of Education banned ITT Technical Institute from enrolling new students with federal aid. "For too long, the for-profit education sector has been allowed to exist free from oversight or accountability. As a result, several bad actors in the industry have built profitable companies on the pillars of deceptive marketing tactics and unethical business practices. The Department of Education's annou… Continue Reading
07.20.16
Rep. Mark Takano Releases Statement on Passing of Rep. Mark Takai
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement today on the passing of Congressman Mark Takai. "Today, the world lost a kind man, this Congress lost a great leader, and many of us lost a dear friend. I am heartbroken by the passing of Congressman Mark Takai. "Mark will always be remembered for his incredible spirit, which he bravely maintained throughout his illness, and the lifetime he spent working to strengthen his community. I feel lucky to have called hi… Continue Reading
07.11.16
Rep. Takano Becomes Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on becoming the Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "I am humbled to assume the role of Acting Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in accordance with the rules of the Democratic Caucus. I am committed to working with my colleagues to provide our nation's veterans the care and support they deserve."… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Rep. Mark Takano Releases Statement on Dallas Shootings
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the attack that killed five Dallas police officers and wounded seven more. "I am stunned by the heinous and despicable attack on Dallas police officers last night. An attack on the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe is an attack on all of us. The entire nation grieves for the victims and their families. "We cannot allow this tragedy to deepen our divisions or intensify our distrust. We must uni… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Rep. Mark Takano Releases Statement on Shooting Deaths in Louisiana and Minnesota
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, who lost their lives during encounters with law enforcement officials in Louisiana and Minnesota, respectively: "The deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile are horrific tragedies and my heart goes out to their families and loved ones. "These two shootings, which took place in the same 48 hours, are not isolated incidents. They reflect a problem… Continue Reading
