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Mark Takano's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (CA) - District 39

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "SCOTUS' decision to strike down Roe v. Wade is the culmination of Republicans’ decades-long radical plan to take away women’s fundamental, constitutional freedoms. This is the grim reality of what our country would look like if the decision stands." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8296: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Social Security has offered millions of Americans economic security for the past 85 years. Now, Donald Trump is trying to defund it in the middle of a global pandemic. As we mark #SocSec85, we must fight to #ExpandSocialSecurity." (x.com)
  • "Social Security just turned 88 years old! Our Social Security system is vital for #CA39 where nearly 100,000 residents receive benefits. Expanding Social Security benefits us all. #SocSec88" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • "As GOP prepares a tax cut for the top 1%, let's review the other cuts they'll make so that it only adds $1,500,000,000,000 to the deficit." (x.com)
  • "As I told my Republican colleagues on the House Veterans Committee, today's vote on the tax bill will mean tougher choices tomorrow. When we're struggling to fund veterans' health care, this $1.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans will look even worse." (x.com)
  • Rated 5% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As I told my Republican colleagues on the House Veterans Committee, today's vote on the tax bill will mean tougher choices tomorrow. When we're struggling to fund veterans' health care, this $1.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans will look even worse." (x.com)
  • "This Congress approved $1.8 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and wealthiest people in our country. And we can't find $4 billion for [veterans'] caregivers? There's no morality in that, and we must correct that." (x.com)
  • Rated 5% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "10 years ago, #CitizensUnited delivered a devastating blow to our democracy by giving the ultra-rich and corporations the power to pour unlimited money into our elections. We must get big money out of politics and restore the people's voice in our democracy. #EndCitizensUnited" (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Corporate special interests should not drown out the voices of everyday Americans. I’m proud to receive an "A" rating from End Citizens United. We must get dark money out of politics and enact comprehensive campaign finance reform. #ForThePeople" (x.com)
  • "A police officer held his knee to George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, leading to his death. This atrocious act has finally forced us to confront the racism deeply rooted in our institutions. I will vote yes on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act." (x.com)
  • "Our legal system shields police from accountability when they violate people’s rights. By ending qualified immunity, we can ensure that police face legal consequences when they engage in excessive use of force or egregious misconduct. I support the Ending Qualified Immunity Act." (x.com)
  • "Today, Derek Chauvin was held accountable for murdering George Floyd. But nothing will bring George Floyd back — he should still be alive today. We can't stop fighting for justice for Black lives and for greater police accountability. I pray for peace for George Floyd's family." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4350: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 7900: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "I agree. We need robust infrastructure investments to rebuild our schools and communities, create jobs, and revamp our green economy. Spending $70 billion to improve our schools and communities > spending $70 billion to build a wall. #SOTU" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "A significant number of people suffering from homelessness are veterans. We passed the Veteran HOUSE Act to make more veterans suffering from housing insecurity eligible for HUD-VASH housing vouchers. Programs like this work. Let's invest in them and make them more accessible." (x.com)
  • "Homeowners and tenants are feeling the burdens of the housing crisis, especially in Riverside County. That's why I’m so glad that the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County Inc. was awarded a grant to assist those who need it most and help fight this crisis." (x.com)
  • "Homeownership is out of reach for millions of Americans. The lack of affordable housing is burdensome to our communities. We must assist aspiring homeowners and renters to combat this housing crisis." (x.com)
  • "The housing crisis has gotten worse during this pandemic. We need to ensure that we assist families that are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. I’m glad that Moreno Valley has received additional CARES Act funding to support this important effort." (x.com)
  • "House Democrats took action to protect families by passing the #BuildBackBetterAct. This bill alleviates the potential financial burdens of inflation by lowering health care costs, prescription costs, child care costs, and cuts taxes for families with children." (x.com)
  • "The #CHIPSandScienceAct was signed one year ago today & communities across the country are already feeling the impacts of the Investing in America agenda through good paying jobs, inflation easing, and research and innovation." (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will lower prescription drug and energy costs, extend health coverage, act on climate, and create jobs. It includes pieces of the Build Back Better Act and allows Democrats to keep our promise to improve the lives of families across the country." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am thrilled that the Department of Education announced $415 million in new student loan forgiveness for the nearly 16,000 students who were defrauded by predatory, for-profit institutions.This is a welcome relief for students thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration." (x.com)
  • "Students who were defrauded by predatory colleges are legally entitled to FULL student loan debt forgiveness. But @BetsyDeVosED is denying debt relief for roughly 240,000 student borrowers, causing them financial harm. I'll be asking her why @EdLaborCmte" (x.com)
  • "We know that without the ability to go to work, many borrowers will be crushed by their student loans. That's why @HouseDemocrats’ new coronavirus response bill provides every borrower at least $10,000 in federal student debt relief." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (None)
  • "56 years ago, John Lewis and so many others shed blood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the right to vote. Today, the House passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect this fundamental right and ensure our democratic process works for all Americans." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Americans are looking for real action in Congress to address #climatechange. I introduced a package of bills to help move our country away from dependence on fossil fuels and unsustainable energy sources by investing in battery energy storage for #renewables." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447: "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9: "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Our oceans and beaches should be free from harmful pollution. I just Voted in favor of two bills to #ProtectOurCoasts from offshore drilling and stop President Trump's harmful giveaway to Big Oil." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146: "Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1941: "Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446: "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1808: "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "My message to my GOP colleagues is simple: #DoSomething. @SenateMajLdr has blocked House-passed bills for 175 days, while horrific mass shootings continue. Congress has a duty to protect our communities from gun violence." (x.com)
  • "I support Medicare for All because the only thing that people in need of medical attention should worry about is healing, not bills. It’s time for #MedicareForAll" (x.com)
  • "Life-saving medical care should not cost a fortune. We need #MedicareForAll." (x.com)
  • "The United States is the richest country on Earth, but millions of Americans still can’t afford health care. That's wrong. #MedicareForAll will change that. It’s time for bold change in America." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I support comprehensive and inclusive #paidleave that provides equal paid family leave for new parents regardless of gender. All working families in America deserve access to equitable paid leave policies. #WhatMomsNeed" (x.com)
  • "Lack of access to paid sick days disproportionately affects Black, Latinx, and low-wage workers. Data shows that access to paid sick days is critical to protecting the health & financial security of workers and their families. We must establish a federal paid sick leave policy." (x.com)
  • "The Build Back Better Act will strengthen our economy by investing in paid family leave, lowering childcare costs, and expanding access to universal pre-school so parents can reenter the workforce with peace of mind. We will pass this legislation #ForThePeople." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "House Democrats took action to protect families by passing the #BuildBackBetterAct. This bill alleviates the potential financial burdens of inflation by lowering health care costs, prescription costs, child care costs, and cuts taxes for families with children." (x.com)
  • "The cost that the average American pays for life-saving drugs is absurd. Medicines like insulin and antibiotics have become increasingly expensive. That is why @HouseDemocrats and I fight to lower drug prices so that they’re affordable for all. #ForThePeople" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "President Trump continues to be more focused on his fantasy border crisis and less on the #ForThePeople priorities Americans really care about. If he's hoping that what he tweeted this morning will lower our already low expectations for his #SOTU address, it’s working." (x.com)
  • "Vulnerable families shouldn’t be forced to live in tent camps at our border for months under #RemainInMexico. This abhorrent policy has resulted in pain and suffering. I will keep holding @DHSgov accountable until asylum seekers can safely enter the US." (x.com)
  • Rated 8% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "The "border crisis" is a fantasy of President Trump’s own creation. Instead of relying on facts, he continues to use anti-immigrant tactics to push his xenophobic, unpopular agenda." (x.com)
  • "The House just passed #HR6, the Dream and Promise Act, and I voted yes. Because #Dreamers like Gabriela from Riverside — who is working every day to make our country better — deserve a pathway to citizenship. She shared her story with us. #ProtectTheDream" (x.com)
  • "While Republicans try to stoke fear into the hearts and minds of the American people at the border, Democrats are working on pragmatic and compassionate solutions to achieve comprehensive immigration reform." (x.com)
  • Rated 8% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6: "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "I'm voting YES on the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. This bill will ban the import of Russian oil and energy products into the U.S. and further isolate Russia from the global economy. This is how we hold Putin accountable." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

1. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support to address the problem of crime?

X Impose a national ban on the public sale of assault weapons.
X Impose a national ban on the sale of handguns to minors.
X Impose "truth in sentencing" legislation for violent criminals so they serve a full sentence with no chance of parole.
X Create "boot camps" for juvenile and adult first-time offenders.
X Prosecute as adults youths who are third-time violent felons.
Impose the death penalty for certain federal crimes, including civil rights murders, rape and child molestation murders, death resulting from drive-by shootings or car-jacking, and murder of court officers or federal witnesses.
X Impose mandatory life sentences for third time violent felons.
X Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills.
X Increase the availability of college loans for youth in crime-ridden urban areas.
X Fund programs which provide job training and employment opportunities for at-risk urban youth.
Other

2. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning illegal drugs?

X Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
Support mandatory drug testing for federal employees.
Expand efforts to stop the illegal flow of drugs to the United States from other countries.
X Expand federal support for education and drug treatment programs.
X Maintain current federal laws.
Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs.
Other

3. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning the American health care system?

Implement a government-financed, single-payer national health care system similar to Canada's.
Support President Clinton's position for a "comprehensive health care plan for all Americans."
X Support a managed competition health care plan to contain costs and improve access that does not include mandated health alliances, government cost control powers, or employer/employee mandates.
X Provide tax incentives for small businesses to help provide health care to their employees.
X Allow middle and low income families to deduct yearly health care costs from their taxable income.
X Create a voucher system for the working poor so they can buy into a health care plan.
X Place limits on the amount of damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Allow Americans to set up a tax-free medical savings account, which would be taxed if used for any purpose other than medical costs.
Deregulate the private health care industry.
Privatize Medicare and Medicaid.
Other

4. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support to change America's welfare system?

X Strengthen child support collection procedures and increase penalties for parents who do not pay.
X Impose a two-year limit on welfare benefits for recipients who are able to work.
X Require welfare recipients to accept some form of government-sponsored job after two years if unable to find work in the private sector.
X Require unwed teenage mothers to live with a parent or guardian (if possible) to receive benefits.
Limit the benefits given to single women if they have additional children.
X Provide child care services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
X Increase spending on programs that help homeless people find shelter and employment.
Make no substantial changes at this time.
Eliminate the current American welfare system.
Other

5. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support to address the problem of unemployment?

X Invest federal dollars in "investment tax credits" for companies who invest in worker training, purchase new equipment, and invest in research and development.
Increase funding for federal and state job-training programs.
X Create "enterprise zones" in urban areas with high unemployment by providing tax credits for new and expanding businesses.
X Create "empowerment zones" in urban areas with high unemployment by providing government grants and federal assistance, in addition to tax credits, to new and expanding businesses.
Eliminate government regulations to encourage investment and economic expansion of the private sector.
Allow the natural cycle of the market economy to create jobs without government intervention.
X Support an overhaul of the current unemployment system by combining current job-training programs within a new comprehensive "re-employment" system.
Other

6. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning trade between America and foreign countries?

The United States should grant "most favored nation" trading status based on the human rights record of each individual nation.
X The United States should raise tariffs on nations whose trade policies discourage the importation of American products.
X The United States should eliminate tax breaks for companies who move American jobs to low-wage countries.
The United States should expand NAFTA into Latin America.
X The United States should pursue policies that will help open markets on the Pacific Rim.
The United States should stay out of international trade.
Other

7. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning the environment?

Tax high-level energy users (businesses and individuals) to discourage excessive energy use and pay for environmental cleanup.
Pass stronger clean water and clean air legislation.
Phase in a prohibition of pollution causing products such as gas powered autos and lawn mowers.
Consider further increasing federal taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels.
X Consider further increasing fees charged to mining companies who mine on public lands.
X Consider further increasing fees charged to livestock owners who graze on federal lands.
Require the federal government to reimburse citizens who are required to limit the use of their privately owned lands due to environmental regulation.
X Encourage further market based strategies to clean up the environment such as pollution credits.
Amend the Endangered Species Act to allow for increased logging.
X Other
Support Public/Private partnerships to develop a new generation of zero-polluting vehicles.

8. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support to change America's public education system?

Establish a nationwide competency test for teachers and encourage states to adopt it.
Establish "National Standards" for K-12 schools and encourage states to adopt them.
Advocate school choice programs so that parents receive vouchers that can be used to send their children to participating schools.
Allow low and middle income families to deduct college costs from their taxable income.
X Provide communities with increased federal aid and low interest loans for public school improvements.
Eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.
Make no substantial changes at this time.
X Other
Support Headstart, school-to-work legislation, and voluntary national standards.

9. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning abortion?

X Abortions should be legal in all circumstances as long as the procedure is completed within the first trimester of the pregnancy.
Abortions should be legal only when the life of the mother is endangered.
Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy results from incest or rape, or when the life of the mother is endangered.
A woman under the age of 18 should be required to notify a parent or guardian before having an abortion.
A woman should be required to notify her spouse before having an abortion.
States should be allowed to impose mandatory waiting periods before abortions are performed.
Congress should eliminate federal funding for clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services.
Congress should eliminate abortion services from any federally funded health care plan.
Congress should leave legislation on this issue to the states.
Other

10. If elected to Congress, which of the following general principles or specific proposals will you support concerning American military and foreign policy?

X Congress should support defense conversion by funding job-placement and job-training programs for displaced military personnel and defense technology workers.
X Congress should completely lift the ban on homosexuals in the military.
The United States should use military force only in cooperation with the United Nations unless threatened by a foreign power.
The United States should lift the trade embargo against Cuba.
Congress should increase foreign aid to the former republics of the Soviet Union to help in democratization and economic reform.
X Congress should impose strict sanctions against any nation selling technology or products that aid in the construction of nuclear weapons.
X Congress should impose strict sanctions against any new nation attempting to develop nuclear weapons.
X Congress should invest federal funds in the research and development of new defense technologies.
Other
No 1. Should the federal government adopt a policy of limiting or banning Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to federal candidates?
Yes 2. Do you support the principle of limiting the number of terms U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives can serve in Congress?
Undecided 3. Do you support the principle of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution?
No 4. Do you support the principle of a Line-Item Veto for the President?
Undecided 5. If elected to Congress, will you support an increase in the minimum wage?

1. Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning the level of funding for each of the listed issue areas.

Maintain Status National Defense
Greatly Increase Law Enforcement
Maintain Status International Drug Interdiction
Maintain Status Federal Health Care Programs
Slightly Increase AIDS Research
Maintain Status Job Re-training Programs
Slightly Increase Infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.)
Maintain Status Public Education
Slightly Decrease Foreign Aid
Maintain Status Environmental Clean Up and Enforcement
Other
Other

2. Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning the tax levels for each of the listed categories.

Slightly Decrease Capital Gains Taxes
Greatly Increase Cigarette Taxes
Greatly Increase Alcohol Taxes
Maintain Status Taxes on Social Security Benefits Received by Retirees Earning More than $40,000
Maintain Status Income Taxes on Families Earning Less than $140,000
Maintain Status Income Taxes on Families Earning $140,000 or More
Maintain Status Value-Added Taxes on U.S. Businesses
Maintain Status Taxes on Foreign Companies in the United States
Other
a) I will continue to fight for funding for more police, more prisons, and tougher sentences for repeat violent criminals; I will fight to establish boot camps for young offenders. b) To create jobs in Southern California through Job Creation, Tax Credit, Profit Sharing incentives, a targeted capital gains tax cut, and support of scientific research at the University of California.
Most of my priorities can be pursued without raising new taxes; Most are revenue neutral.

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