As our HRC members and supporters spoke with their representatives and senators about the importance of the Equality Act, we caught up with @repmarktakano.bsky.social to unpack how the bill would protect our LGBTQ+ community. Tell your representatives to support the Equality Act: hrc.im/EqualityAct

“There was a failure of political leadership [during WWII] to stand up for our Constitution and to face down anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment.” As First Vice Chair of CAPAC, @repmarktakano.bsky.social is fighting to ensure one of the darkest chapters of US history does not repeat itself.

States are going to have to increase the cost of college to make up for the LARGEST CUT to Medicaid and SNAP.

There is a Golden Age in America, but just for Republicans and Trump at the White House.

This birthday note is really damning

House Republicans are planning to cut $2 billion in funding for HIV/AIDS. People will die. Just unbelievable cruelty. @repmarktakano.bsky.social and I met with Javier Muñoz and other advocates. We will do everything in our power to fight back!

Grant managers, civil rights attorneys, and student loan advisors have been fired from the Department of Education. Students deserve better. www.npr.org/2025/08/01/n...

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement responding to Sec. Collins's announcement of an anticipated loss of an additional 12,000 VA employees in the next 3 months.

All I'm asking is for Republicans to work as hard for their constituents as they do for billionaires.

We need 4 Republicans to fight for their constituents and protect health care for tens of thousands in their communities. Rep. Kim, Rep. Calvert, Rep. Valvado -- join Americans in rejecting this Big, Ugly Bill.

To meet arbitrary deportation quotas, masked ICE agents are assaulting and detaining immigrants who are trying to provide for their families. The assault of a landscaper, and father of 3 Marine Corps veterans, should alarm us all.

Today in #Skrmetti, SCOTUS allowed Tennessee's cruel ban on necessary care for young trans people to stand—a devastating blow to the most vulnerable in our community. Today is a loss, but we won't stop fighting for full equality. Read our statement at the link in our bio.

ICE has been directed to detain and deport immigrants with no regard for process or public safety. While many Americans want to see immigration law enforced, it cannot come at the cost of creating panic or social unrest.

The United States should not be in the business of funding torture. CECOT is a mega-prison with a well-documented record of human rights abuses. Yet the Trump Admin made a deal to send millions of taxpayer dollars to fund it. That is unacceptable. www.notus.org/immigration/...

President Trump wants to shut down Urbana’s Agricultural Research Service Lab – a move that would hurt Illinois farmers and compromise decades of critical research. I sent a letter with @mcbride.house.gov & @repmarktakano.bsky.social urging the Appropriations Committee to stop these dangerous cuts.

Trump is directing ICE and DHS to inflame the situation in LA.

On today's Democratic Daily Download, @equality.house.gov Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social celebrates Pride Month! House Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and equality for all Americans.

Pride is about our community standing together. When we are united we can face any challenge. 🏳️‍🌈 Hear from @repmarktakano.bsky.social, Jaymes Black, and Dr. Kellan Baker:

17 years ago, then-Representatives @baldwin.senate.gov & Barney Frank founded our caucus to fight for equality in the halls of Congress. Today, we're proud to have more than 190 Members of Congress—the largest caucus in the House—continuing their fight.

Secretary McMahon demands viewpoint diversity – which means Holocaust deniers could be teaching history at universities.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social visited the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and saw its cutting-edge 3D printing lab and mobile prosthetic services in action. Innovative technology is transforming care for veterans with spinal cord injuries and limb loss, helping them regain mobility & independence.

Last week, House Republicans passed their budget bill which puts over 44,000 of our neighbors at risk of losing their healthcare. Cutting coverage and raising costs is not what we need.

Thank you @jayapal.house.gov for hosting RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social at the Fort Lawton Cemetery this Memorial Day to honor our fallen heroes. Today and everyday we remember and honor their service. 🇺🇸

"This Administration has proven time and again that it is determined to dismantle a system established to serve the brave patriots who served in our nation’s military." - RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social To read the full article: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

I voted no on the Republican's budget which cuts funding for basic needs to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Read my full statement.

Today, HASC Ranking Member @adamsmith.house.gov, CEC Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social, @houlahan.house.gov, @sarajacobs.house.gov, & Rep. Eric Sorensen introduced the FIT TO SERVE ACT to thwart Trump's trans troop ban & ensure explicit protections for trans servicemembers.

"...we're not going to be put back into the closet to appease anyone, and we're not going to be silent while human dignity is under threat." @repmarktakano.bsky.social at CAP today speaking out against the continuous attacks on LGBTQI+ rights:

Republicans claim they're addressing antisemitism while the Trump Administration actively dismantles and defunds the office charged with protecting students' civil rights. They are actively making campuses less safe for Jewish students and passing the blame.

The AFL-CIO reports that the unstable stock market is tanking the retirement savings of the blue collar, middle and working class union members they represent. Americans are hurting because of the policies implemented by Trump.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement regarding VA’s cancellation of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program. Full statement: democrats-veterans.house.gov/news/press-r...

Andry must be freed. If he can be disappeared to a foreign prison without due process, it can happen to anyone.

I am proud to have the support of @hrc.org in reintroducing the Equality Act. The time is now to pass this landmark bill to fully protect Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Today, we reintroduce the Equality Act — not just as a bill, but as a declaration that freedom, dignity, and opportunity must belong to all Americans. That is the promise of the Equality Act: full humanity under the law.” -Equality Caucus Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social

For those who want to cut VA nurses for the sake of efficiency, we have a clear message: “A nurse providing care is NOT waste,” - @repmarktakano.bsky.social

Today, Equality Caucus Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social & our co-chairs reintroduced the #EqualityAct in the 119th Congress to enshrine explicit protections for the LGBTQI+ community into federal law & safeguard the rights of LGBTQI+ people. Read our full statement at the link in our bio.

RM @repmarktakano.bsky.social released the following statement regarding the first hundred days of President Trump's second term. To read the full statement: democrats-veterans.house.gov/news/press-r...

🧵1/3: As President Trump's first 100 days draw to a close, we reflect on the failed promises made to our nation’s heroes. Instead of improving VA care & benefits, veterans face agency cuts. Instead of delivering services, VA has incited chaos and uncertainty.

Proud to be with Leader Jeffries and Sen. Booker on the steps of the Capitol. Cuts to Medicaid will be devastating for seniors, vets, middle-class people, and so many more.

Elon Musk must be fired by this Administration by May 30th. He is an unelected billionaire hurting the people who need the most help. It is time to fire Elon Musk.

40 years of "trickle-down" economics have created record levels of income inequality. Enough is enough. This #AANHPIEqualPay day, we need leaders across business, education, and politics to stand with us in order to help us achieve livable, equitable wages.

I led a group of House Democrats to demand answers from the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, on her illegal efforts to undermine public education. Only Congress can shut down Department — not Trump or McMahon. We will keep speaking out and fighting for students.

Secretary McMahon cannot answer basic questions about when she plans to illegally shut down the Department of Education. I confronted her about it, and instead of locking us out like last time, she ran away.

"Without VA here to provide the other side of the story about the on the ground reality of veterans needs, all you're going to hear today is a sales pitch, and indeed, an expensive one at that." @repmarktakano.bsky.social

ALL veterans deserve access to the medical care their providers deem appropriate. Sec. Collins is restricting medical care for transgender veterans, dismissing the judgment of VA providers and medical associations. We stand with our trans vets. #TransgenderDayOfVisibility

The President is scared of workers and the power they wield when they collectively bargain. He won’t stop with just federal workers, he will bust any union he sees as a threat to billionaires. www.npr.org/2025/03/28/n...

Today, CEC Chair & House Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member @repmarktakano.bsky.social led 69 Members of Congress in condemning the Trump Admin's anti-veteran attacks and demanding answers from VA Secretary Collins about VA's attacks on trans veterans. Full letter at the link in our bio.

We can celebrate this win to keep BASIC functions of the Social Security Administration going, but that does not change the fact that Trump and Musk are going after it to pay for another tax break for billionaires. Let's keep fighting. www.npr.org/2025/03/26/n...

The Trump Admin took down veteran history related to Navajo Code Talkers, Jackie Robinson, and Black, Hispanic, and women veterans. This goes beyond censorship — it disrespects anyone who has worn the uniform. I led my colleagues in demanding full restoration:

On today’s Democratic Daily Download, Rep. Jim Himes, top Dem on the House Intel Committee, breaks down the Signal chat controversy, why it’s so serious, and what Dems are doing about it.