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Press Releases
December 12, 2024
Rep. Juan Vargas, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Deliver on Key Climate Priorities
U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and other colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden, thanking him for his leadership on climate issues and urging the Administration to continue delivering on its key climate priorities. In the letter, the lawmakers also urge the Administration to continue its efforts to swiftly disburse key Inflation Reduction Act and Bipar… Continue Reading
December 10, 2024Rep. Juan Vargas Votes to Pass Water Resources Development Act, Support for San Diego Projects
Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This biennial legislation authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program projects to improve ports, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure in communities across the country, including in San Diego County. Then, eligible funds must be appropriated for the projects by Congress through separate … Continue Reading
December 05, 2024Rep. Juan Vargas, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Bill to Standardize CBP Handling of Personal Belongings
U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) and Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in introducing the CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop guidance to better ensure the respectful handling of personal property of individuals who are in CBP custody. When people arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border,… Continue Reading
In The News
October 18, 2024
Congressional delegation urges EPA to provide air quality monitoring support
San Diego's Congressional delegation Friday called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support San Diego County's Air Pollution Control District in its task of monitoring air quality in neighborhoods near the border. In early September, high levels of noxious gases such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide were measured by scientific teams in the river valley and noticed by residents due to the rotten egg smell even miles from the border. Ultimately, crews from San Diego County d… Continue Reading
August 29, 2024San Diego migrant aid organizations secure $43M in federal funding
Two local organizations secured an additional $43 million in federal funding to help recently arrived migrants with services such as shelter, medical care and transportation, Rep. Juan Vargas announced this week. The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program, or SSP, which is intended for non-federal entities that provide humanitarian services to migrants released after being processed by U.S. Border Patrol. It comes on top of $39.2 million total th… Continue Reading
August 29, 2024Congressional delegation demands answers from Mexico about border odors
SAN DIEGO — Members of San Diego's congressional delegation Wednesday demanded answers as to why despite the dry weather, environmental officials are reporting an increase in sewage flow and strong odors from Mexico in the Tijuana River. Reps. Juan Vargas, Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters, all D-San Diego; Mike Levin, D-Dana Point; and U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, both D- California, called on the U.S. Department of State to pressure Mexican officials for answers on the unprecedented … Continue Reading