Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Statement on the Tijuana River’s Inclusion on the “Most Endangered Rivers” List
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement today after American Rivers released its 2024 America’s Most Endangered Rivers report with the Tijuana River listed #9. “For too long, sewage in the Tijuana River Valley has harmed public health, our local economies, and our ecosystems. This designation reaffirms what our communities already know too well - toxic pollution is flowing into the Tijuana River every day and we need the South Bay International … Continue Reading
April 13, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Attacks Against Israel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on attacks against Israel. “After decades of attacking Israel through its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, today Iran has launched a direct and reckless attack on Israel. This is an alarming escalation. Now more than ever, it is critical for us to stand by our friend and ally. As President Biden has made clear: "Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Rep. Vargas, San Diego Delegation Secure Over $39 Million in Shelter and Services Program Funding for San Diego
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) announced over $39 million in Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding for San Diego communities and organizations that provide critical assistance to migrants awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings. “The San Diego area has a long tradition of welcoming individuals seeking asylum and refuge with open arms. I’m proud to have worked alongside my San Diego delegation colleagues to secure this critical funding for … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Representante Vargas y Delegación de San Diego Aseguran $39 Millones en Fondos del Programa de Refugio y Servicios para San Diego
WASHINGTON - Hoy, Representante de los EE.UU. Juan Vargas (CA-52) anunció más de $39 millones en Refugio y Servicios del Programa (SSP) de financiación para apoyar a las organizaciones locales del Condado de San Diego y socios que prestan asistencia crítica a los migrantes. "La zona de San Diego ha tenido una larga tradición de recibir a las personas que buscan asilo y refugio con los brazos abiertos. Estoy orgulloso de haber trabajado junto con mis colegas de la delegación de San Diego para … Continue Reading
April 10, 2024
Rep. Vargas Remarks at House Financial Services Committee Hearing on SEC Climate Disclosure Rule
WASHINGTON - At a House Financial Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52), co-chair of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, voiced strong support for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recently finalized climate disclosure rule. “Climate change is happening no matter what people think. I'm from San Diego, and you don't think of floods… and we just had a gigantic flood in San Diego, a 1,000-year event. And it flooded a good portion … Continue Reading
April 08, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Call for Automatic DACA Extensions Amidst Backlog
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined over 100 of his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur M. Jaddou to raise concern over delays in processing renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and call for the agency to begin providing automatic extensions for lawful recipients in the interim. “Many of our offices have heard from constituents that the increased [USCIS] backlog has … Continue Reading
April 05, 2024
Sustainable Investment Caucus Statement on SEC Climate Disclosure Rule Pause
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Sean Casten (IL-06), co-chairs of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, released the following statement on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) announcement that it will pause the implementation of its new climate disclosure rule pending the results of a legal challenge: “It’s no secret that corporations believe climate change poses a risk to their businesses - that’s why they spend on average $500,000 a … Continue Reading
April 03, 2024
Rep. Vargas Helps Introduce Legislation to Protect Federal Pensions from Economic Impact of Climate Change
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) in introducing the Restructuring Environmentally Sound Pensions in Order to Negate Disaster (RESPOND) Act. The legislation would require the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) to conduct a thorough assessment to determine the extent to which federal workers’ pensions are exposed to climate-related financial risks. The lack of a climate-related … Continue Reading
April 03, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Call on USCIS to Prevent Work Permit Lapse for Immigrants
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined his colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) urging the agency to lengthen the current automatic extension period for immigrants’ work permits (employment authorization documents or “EADs”). DHS’s issuance of such a rule is urgently needed to allow USCIS more time to process EAD renewal applications and to prevent immigrants’ work … Continue Reading
April 03, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Biden Administration’s Continued Commitment to Israel’s Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on his support for the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to Israel’s security. “On October 7th, Hamas unleashed pure evil and terror on Israel and its people. In the aftermath of that horrific attack, the United States sent a strong message to Israel - you are not alone and you never will be. I applaud President Biden for continuing to demonstrate that our commitment to Israel’s security is … Continue Reading
March 26, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Urge DHS to Address Major Barriers to Asylum with CBP One App
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined 29 of his House colleagues in calling on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to address concerns regarding the Customs and Border Protection’s mobile application (CBP One), the primary mechanism for managing asylum interview requests. Since its implementation, issues with the CBP One app have posed challenges for people seeking asylum at ports of entry. In 2023, Rep. Vargas joined his colleagues in … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
San Diego Congressional Delegation, Governor Celebrate $156 Million in Funding to Help Combat Cross-Border Sewage Pollution
WASHINGTON - Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. Darrell Issa, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler, and Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the inclusion of over $156 million for the U.S. International Boundary Water Commission in the bipartisan government funding bill. The funding can be used for critical repairs to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to help combat cross-border pollution. “For too long, our communities have … Continue Reading
March 20, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Urge House and Senate Leadership to Preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program
WASHINGTON - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined 158 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to work to preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is set to begin running out of funds next month. Over 78,000 households in California’s 52nd Congressional District are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity … Continue Reading
March 13, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Voting “No” on Legislation That Would Ban TikTok
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 13th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement: “Today, I was among the 50 Democratic members of Congress who voted against a bill that would have forced a TikTok sale. We should respond to any national security threat posed by TikTok in a way that stays true to our country’s commitment to freedom of speech. This bill was not it. I look forward to continuing … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Rep. Vargas Secures More than $14 Million for Community Projects
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 12th, 2024) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) secured more than $14 million in federal funding for community projects across South San Diego County for FY 2024 in the funding package that passed the House of Representatives. “I’m proud to have secured more than $14 million in Federal funding that will assist and strengthen our communities,” said Rep. Vargas. “It is critical that we support our … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Sustainable Investment Caucus Applauds SEC Climate Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) , co-chairs of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, released the following statement regarding the SEC’s finalized rulemaking requiring companies to disclose climate-related financial risks: “The climate rule approved by the SEC today ensures investors have access to clear, comparable, and standardized disclosures to judge registrants’ climate risks. Climate change remains a threat to … Continue Reading
February 20, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on President Biden Declaring Federal Disaster in San Diego County
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 20th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement: “I am extremely grateful for President Biden’s decision to respond to the severe storms and flooding experienced in the 52nd Congressional District and across San Diego County by issuing a federal declaration that will allow people harmed by the flooding to access additional resources,” said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter to President Biden Urging an Expeditious Approval of California’s Major Disaster Declaration Request
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 15th, 2024) - This week, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), led a letter with 27 California Representatives to President Biden urging him to approve the State of California’s Major Disaster Declaration request in response to the severe storm that impacted San Diego County in late-January. The storms caused severe flooding that affected many individuals, businesses, and local farms. A major disaster … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Vargas, Casten, and Whitehouse, lead 65 Colleagues in letter to Appropriations Leadership Opposing Anti-Sustainable Investing Riders
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | (619) 405-3555 | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov Washington, D.C. (February 1 , 2024) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52), Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), led 65 of their colleagues in a letter to the House and Senate appropriations leadership opposing several anti-ESG riders spread across the FY 2024 appropriations bills. “These appropriations riders follow a dangerous trend of political interference … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Rep. Vargas Introduces Bipartisan Legislation for Middle East FDA Office
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 31, 2024) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) introduced the United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 7155), which calls for the establishment of a U.S. FDA Bureau in the Abraham Accords region. “I’m pleased to cosponsor the United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act, which would establish an FDA office in … Continue Reading