Rep. Vargas Presents District Priorities to the House Committee on Armed Services
Washington, DC (May 8, 2013) – Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), submitted testimony to the House Committee on Armed Services regarding the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. Rep. Vargas addressed numerous issues, all of which he said are top priorities for his district.
The Department of the Navy is currently searching for a homebase for the F-35C aircraft, which is replacing the aging FA-18 aircraft. “I believe that the Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, in my district, offers the Navy a fiscally sound option along with world class operations and facilities,” stated Vargas. “Located in the heart of Southern California’s Imperial Valley, NAF El Centro’s close proximity to San Diego’s Pacific Fleet and Yuma, Arizona’s Marine Joint Strike Fighter has allowed it to be an integral part in Naval Aviation Training.”
Vargas also addressed the need for continued funding for Naval base operations, ship repairs, and research to support technological innovation. “We must provide the adequate resources to our global commitments, particularly by investing in our naval capabilities,” wrote Rep. Vargas. “My district is home to Naval Base San Diego, which is the largest Navy base on the West Coast. Military funding supports thousands of jobs in the greater San Diego County area and its importance to my district, and the overall economy, cannot be overstated.”
Congressman Vargas also included information on his bill, H.R. 1691, the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Security Enhancement Act, which would transfer the administrative jurisdiction of certain public lands in the Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range from the Bureau of Land Management to the Secretary of the Navy. Vargas stated that the “bill preserves the environmental integrity of the land and supports our national security interest.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was elected to Congress in 2012. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.