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Government shutdown threatens food aid program relied on by millions of families

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 1d

Millions of moms and kids rely on WIC for baby formula, fresh fruits, and healthy food.

Because of the Republican’s shutdown, that lifeline could run out of money in days.

Families shouldn’t go hungry because of partisan games. End the shutdown. Fund WIC.

Experts say a food aid program that helps 6 million low-income mothers and young children will run out of federal money unless the government shutdown ends within two weeks.

Illinois sues the Trump administration over National Guard deployment to Chicago

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 2d

Deploying federal troops against U.S. cities is authoritarianism, plain and simple.

Americans shouldn’t live under threat of military occupation because their leaders disagree with the President. I stand with Illinois in defending democracy and the rule of law.

A judge declined to immediately block the administration's efforts and scheduled a hearing for this week.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 2d

19 million Americans depend on the enhanced premium tax credits to be able to afford their health insurance. If we don’t cancel the cuts, they’ll be left uninsured. This could be a death sentence for many. We must stop the cuts.

Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 5d

Trump wants to cut housing aid by 43% and push rules that would kick millions off assistance. In the middle of a housing crisis, this is not the kind of reform we need. It’s outright cruelty that will only make things worse.

Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid…

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Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 5d

Trump pledged on day 1 that he was going to bring down prices. Instead, he gave permanent tax breaks to billionaires and took nearly $1 trillion away from the health care of ordinary Americans. I won’t vote for any spending bill that doesn’t cancel the cuts and protect your care.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 6d

Shutting down Climate Adaptation Science Centers means fewer tools to protect communities from fires, floods & hurricanes. Ignoring climate science won’t make the crisis go away. This disregard for safety & our planet is unacceptable.

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Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 7d

Don’t forget: In the fight to protect our health care and lower costs, you have the leverage. It’s time to call your Republican representatives and urge them to cancel the cuts.

President Trump plans to send troops to Portland, Chicago and Memphis. Here’s what we know | CNN

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 8d

Just as we’ve seen in LA and DC, Trump’s plan to send troops into Memphis, Portland, and Chicago will only spread chaos and fear. This abuse of power is a shameful fear tactic disguised as “law and order.” We must continue to resist this administration’s madness.

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will send troops to Portland, agents clashing with protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago, and the expected arrival of…

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 8d

Trump is using racism as a tactic to distract his supporters from the fact that he’s taking away their health care. Don’t let him fool you.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 8d

Last night in the Democratic caucus meeting, Hakeem Jeffries told us about his meeting with Trump and made 2 things clear: Republicans don't want to talk about health care, and they don't want to talk about Jeffrey Epstein. That won't stop us.

What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

Trump’s budget would slash education funding by 15%, and gut support for low-income schools.
It’s cruel and shortsighted. Investing in our future means investing in students, not taking away the resources they need to thrive.

Education researchers warn budget proposals from the White House and House Republicans would impose steep cuts on some of the nation's most vulnerable students and disadvantaged school communities.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

For Donald Trump and Republicans, the game is all about keeping health care cuts in place in order to preserve tax breaks for the very wealthy. It’s as simple as that.

‘I’m From Here!’: U.S. Citizens Are Ending Up in Trump’s Dragnet

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

No U.S. citizen should be handcuffed, jailed, or denied their rights because of the way they look or speak. Trump’s immigration sweeps are targeting Latino men, including American citizens, and tearing at the fabric of our democracy. We must stop this injustice.

As immigration agents take a more aggressive approach, they have stopped and in some cases detained American citizens.

Colleges pull back as Trump cuts programs that help migrant students

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

While Democrats are committed to lowering costs and protecting health care, Donald Trump and Republicans are more interested in protecting tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

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Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 12d

For over 50 years, the College Assistance Migrant Program has opened doors for first-gen students. Now Trump’s admin has halted its funding, calling it “too costly.”

Investing in education is never a waste. It’s how we strengthen our future.

Since 1972, the CAMP program has helped tens of thousands of migrant students succeed in college. The Trump administration has cut off funding for it, forcing some colleges to reduce or eliminate…

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 12d

Americans are working hard but feeling stuck. High borrowing costs, slow hiring & rising uncertainty are freezing people in place. A rate cut isn’t enough. We need affordable housing and strong union jobs to build an economy that works for working people.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 13d

Don’t be fooled. The No on Prop 50 campaign is backed by MAGA mega donors. They want you to believe that they’re trying to protect our democracy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. California must fight back and vote yes on Proposition 50 this November.

Trump Appointees Roll Back Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 14d

By Oct. 5, only six fair housing lawyers will remain at HUD. Hundreds of discrimination cases have been dropped. Civil rights precedent erased. Protections gutted.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and right now, it’s being dismantled from within.

Interviews and internal documents show that signature civil rights protections in housing are being dismissed as ideologically driven and D.E.I. in disguise.

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Trump administration halts government hunger report

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 15d

The Trump admin just canceled the federal hunger report, calling it “liberal fodder.”

For 30 years, this report helped us understand food insecurity in America. Ending it doesn’t make hunger disappear. It just hides the truth.

The Trump administration has terminated an annual government hunger report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Saturday. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the termination of…

Rural health clinics are starting to close, raising the political risks of Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ | CNN Politics

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

Rural health clinics are closing across the country, and Trump’s “Big, Ugly Bill” is to blame.

This is the cost of $900 billion in Medicaid cuts.

It’s not reform. It’s abandonment. Every community, rural or urban, deserves access to quality care.

Two months after President Donald Trump signed his policy megabill into law, a Virginia health care company cited it when it announced the closure of three rural clinics serving tiny communities…

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Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

Trump's inability to take a joke nearly came at the expense of the First Amendment. Even though Kimmel will be coming back on air tonight, we can't forget about the tantrum that the Trump admin threw last week, which was reminiscent of petty authoritarian leaders like Xi Jinping.

Jimmy Kimmel's show returning on Tuesday, ABC announces

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

Jimmy Kimmel’s return shows the power of speaking out. When people call out injustice and refuse to stay silent, change happens. Never forget: democracy works best when we make our voices heard.

The network pulled the show after the Federal Communications Commission chair threatened to revoke ABC affiliate licenses after the host's comments about Charlie Kirk's death.

Why a Government Shutdown Really Might Happen This Time

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 19d

A government shutdown isn’t just politics – it’s a threat to working families.

We need a budget that protects health care, housing, and basic services – not one that plays games with people’s lives.

Democrats want an Obamacare subsidy deal. Republicans want to make no concessions. Trump wants vengeance. Things could really go wrong.