Press Releases
Rep. Takano: “The Department of Education’s Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham.”
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education released the finalreport from the Federal Commission on School Safety: "The Department of Education's Federal Commission on School Safety report is a complete sham. A better title for this report would be: A guide to trample students' civil rights, sell more guns, and blame everything on minority students. "As a public school teacher for 24 years, I find it insulting that Secretary… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Rep. Mark Takano Leads Bipartisan Letter Opposing the Closure of Amtrak’s Reservations Facility in Riverside
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a bipartisan coalition of 39 Members of Congress from California in sending a letter to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson expressing concern and opposition to Amtrak's recent decision to close its reservations facility in Riverside, CA and the elimination of the positions of almost 500 employees. In the letter, Members write, "Amtrak is unlike any other American corporation in that it is majority owned by the federal government a… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Rep. Takano: “An absolute shame and a disgrace that my Republican colleagues had the intention of bringing Dr. Joseph J. Sabia as a witness”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections issued this statement after the House Education and the Workforce Committee Majority cancelled the Subcommittee Hearing on Mandating a $15 Minimum Wage following the revelation of Republican witness Dr. Joseph J. Sabia's past homophobic and sexist writings: "It is an absolute shame and a disgrace that my Republican colleagues had the intention of bringing Dr. Joseph J. Sabia … Continue Reading
12.06.18
Rep. Takano Statement on Sudden Closure of Education Corporation of America
"Yesterday, Education Corporation of America (ECA) announced that it would close all of its campuses in California, including one in Riverside, and across the country, creating yet another nightmare scenario for tens of thousands of students who are now left with burdensome debt, an incomplete degree, and few opportunities for recourse. "The closing of ECA campuses can be added to the list of institutions accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) that ha… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Vice Ranking Member Takano Leads Democratic Members of Veterans Affairs Committee and Democratic Colleagues in Demanding Answers from VA Secretary Wilkie Regarding GI Bill Benefits Payments
Washington, D.C. - Today, after numerous reports highlighted continued delays in GI Bill benefits payments and failures in the implementation of certain housing provisions of the Forever GI Bill, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Vice Ranking Member Mark Takano led Democratic Members in demanding answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever GI Bill) made significant improvements to veteran ed… Continue Reading
11.30.18
130 Democratic Members Sign Letter of Support for Rep. Mark Takano to Become Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Washington, D.C. - 130 Democratic Members and Members-Elect have signed a letter indicating their support for Vice Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) to become Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. The letter is here and below: November 30, 2018 Dear Colleague: To best serve our nation's veterans in the 116th Congress, we need experienced leaders who are dedicated to protecting veteran benefits while also holding this Administration accountable. That is why we are supporti… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Rep. Takano Statement on VA Announcement of Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Payments
The announcement of further delays in the implementation of these specific provisions in the Forever GI Bill is extremely disconcerting. When Congress passed this law, the language indicated that provisions were to be implemented by August 2018, but ongoing technical issues have prevented any progress and the VA has failed to meet the deadline. If this process and the reoccurring technical failures at the VA have taught us anything, it's that the underlying issues causing these delays - IT failu… Continue Reading
11.21.18
Rep. Takano Slams DeVos Decision to Recognize ACICS
Riverside, CA - Today, Rep. Mark Takano released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced restoration of federal recognition to the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which gave accreditation to for-profits like ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges: "Secretary Betsy DeVos' decision to continue granting the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) federal recognition represents clear neglect by the Department of Education to uphol… Continue Reading
11.13.18
Rep. Takano Statement on G.I. Benefits Payment Delays Affecting Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after multiple reports stated that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is continuing to experience technical issues that are causing delays in payments of G.I. Bill benefits: "It is completely unacceptable for student veterans to be on the brink of losing their housing and to be unable to pay their tuition because of G.I. Bill benefits payment delays. Last month, my colleagues and I urged the VA to quickl… Continue Reading
10.09.18
Rep. Takano Calls for Release of Full Department of Education File on ACICS
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after it was revealed that the Department of Education inflated the support from other accreditors in its recommendation for granting the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) federal recognition for another year. "ACICS, at its height, was the largest accreditor of for-profit colleges, however, it often granted accreditation to low-performing, predatory institutions that engaged in risky and frau… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Rep. Takano’s Bill Extending Paid Sick Leave Benefits to Wounded Warriors Working at the VA Becomes a Law
Washington, D.C. -Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Steve Stivers' (R-Ohio) Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act was signed into law. This law will ensure that newly hired veterans with service-connected injuries working in medical positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are able to take paid sick leave to receive the care they need. This bill will also help in hiring and recruiting veterans to fill VA "Title 38" employee vacancies nationwide. "Veteran employ… Continue Reading
08.30.18
Rep. Takano Calls on Secretary DeVos to Abandon Proposal That Would Weaken Protections for Survivors of Sexual Assault on Campus
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) issued this statement following a New York Times report stating that Secretary DeVos would be considering a proposed rule change that would weaken protections for survivors of sexual assault who are seeking justice: "It is absolutely reprehensible for Secretary DeVos to even consider a policy that would weaken protections for survivors of sexual assault and make college campuses and school classrooms less safe. If Secretary DeVos and this Administr… Continue Reading
08.28.18
Rep. Takano Statement on the Resignation of Student Loan Ombudsman at the CFPB
"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created by Congress to protect consumers, including students, from misleading and fraudulent practices and hold unlawful companies like ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges accountable. Since its inception, it has helped return $750 million to defrauded student loan borrowers. "However under this Administration, and Acting Director Mulvaney's leadership, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is not doing its job. This could not be made clearer than i… Continue Reading
08.10.18
Rep. Takano: “This Administration Couldn’t Care Less About Students”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following the Trump administration's proposal to eliminate the Gainful Employment rule: "The Gainful Employment requirement was regulated to protect students and hold for-profit schools and career-training programs accountable for delivering on their promises, as required by federal law. By eliminating this rule completely, Secretary DeVos has once again given for-profits free reign to carry out predatory and abusive … Continue Reading
08.08.18
Rep. Takano Statement Following Reports of Inappropriate Influence from “Mar-a-Lago Crowd” at the VA
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Vice-Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs released this statement following a report from Pro-Publica indicating influence over VA policies from Mar-a-Lago members and other millionaire Trump insiders: "It seems that for the Trump Administration, having a Mar-a-Lago membership and being one of President Trump's millionaire friends makes you qualified to make decisions and shape policies that affect the VA and our veter… Continue Reading
07.25.18
Rep. Takano: “It is clear who Secretary Betsy DeVos sides with, and it’s not with students.”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education's announcement of the final proposed Borrowers Defense rule that would cut $12.7 billion in debt relief from students who were deceived by predatory for-profit colleges. Secretary DeVos' rule also proposes to force students to default on their loans before they are eligible for debt relief. "It is clear who Secretary Betsy DeVos sides with, and it's not with students. To… Continue Reading
07.24.18
Reps. Takano, Pocan, and Grijalva Introduce Resolution Against VA Privatization
Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) introduced an anti-privatization resolution expressing support for policies that maintain a robust, fully-funded and staffed Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that does not jeopardize care for veterans by moving essential resources to the private sector. "More than 9 million veterans depend on the VA to receive the health care services they … Continue Reading
07.24.18
Rep. Takano Helps Introduce the Aim Higher Act
Washington, D.C. -Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement after announcing the Aim Higher Act, a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which ensures that every student has a path to a debt-free degree or credential. "As a public school teacher for 24 years and a community college trustee for more than two decades, I know that rising college costs put college out of reach for many students in Riverside and across the country. That is why I am proud to j… Continue Reading
07.23.18
Rep. Takano Statement on the Confirmation of Robert Wilkie as VA Secretary
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Vice Ranking Member, released this statement after the Senate confirmation of Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all of our country's veterans are properly served by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which is why Robert Wilkie's role in the implementation of the trans military ban at… Continue Reading
07.18.18
Rep. Takano Statement on VA Implementation of Executive Order Limiting the Use of Official Time
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Labor Management Relations issued a notice of implementation of Executive Order #13837, which drastically limits the use of official time: "Instead of working to ensure that the VA is well-staffed, well managed, and capable of providing veterans with quality services, the Trump Administration has focused its efforts on undermining worker protections and attacking VA e… Continue Reading
