Press Releases
Rep. Juan Vargas Announces Brawley Union High School 9th Grader, Matthew Torres, the 2016 Winner of the Congressional Art Competition
Brawley, CA (May 5, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) announced the winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition at a reception held in Brawley, California for students, parents and community members. "It's always inspiring to see the artwork submitted to this annual competition," said Rep. Vargas. "Talented young artists from our district put their time and passion into creating unique pieces of art that showcase their creativity. Every participant should be proud of the effort they … Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
Rep. Juan Vargas to Co-Host a Military Voting Forum
Washington, DC (April 27, 2016) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), in conjunction with the Democratic Committee on House Administration, announced a forum on military voting will be held in Chula Vista, CA on Friday, May 6th. The forum will act as an open dialogue where top government officials and military voting experts will provide attendees with information on the state of military voting and provide the best methods to protect the voting rights of service members. One of the key issues … Continue Reading
March 25, 2016
Rep. Vargas Leads Efforts to Fund Refugee Related Accounts
Washington, DC (March 25, 2016) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) led a group of 110 colleagues and dozens of supporting organizations in requesting funding for refugee assistance accounts from the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations. Listed below are some of the submitted requests: Requested $2.95 billion to fund the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which supports states and local communities in welcoming vulnerable refugee populations. Requested $3.604 billion to fund the State … Continue Reading
March 21, 2016
Rep. Vargas Leads Efforts to Secure Funding for Phase 2 of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry
Washington, DC (March 21, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is leading efforts to secure $248 million for Phase 2 of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Reconfiguration and Expansion Project. President Obama's Fiscal year 2017 budget includes this level of funding, which will be the final funds needed to complete the Calexico West LPOE. "I'm pleased President Obama included the necessary funds to complete the last phase of the Calexico West LPOE project," said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
March 16, 2016
Rep. Juan Vargas and Rep. Dan Donovan Introduce the “Wounded Warrior Housing Reform Act of 2016”
Washington, DC (March 16, 2016) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) introduced the "Wounded Warrior Housing Reform Act of 2016" (H.R. 4753). This bipartisan bill would add disability compensation and pension benefits for veterans of a period of war who are 65 years of age or older to the list of items that are excluded from income, to determine a veteran's eligibility for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing assistance programs. "The brave … Continue Reading
March 16, 2016
Rep. Vargas Leads Efforts to Fund Crucial Programs
Washington, DC (March 16, 2016) - Today, Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) led and supported funding efforts to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. The following is a list of some of the requests Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to push for funding: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Supported $6.68 billion in funding for the supplemental Nutrition Program. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Supported $320 million in … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Rep. Vargas Applauds Inclusion of Funding for Phase II of the Calexico Port of Entry Project in the President’s FY17 Budget
Washington, DC (February 9, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) announced the inclusion of $248 million for the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) reconfiguration and expansion project in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget released today. If approved, the funding would be sufficient to complete the project. In the first three years of serving the 51st Congressional District, Congressman Vargas has brought in nearly $1 billion in border infrastructure funds. "I'm ecstatic President Obama … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Rep. Vargas Applauds Funding for the Rehabilitation of the Salton Sea
Washington, DC (February 9, 2016) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior announced $3 million for the rehabilitation of the Salton Sea. "I'm excited that my efforts have led to the U.S. Department of Interior allocating funds for this vital rehabilitation," said Rep. Vargas. "Funding the Salton Sea Research Project is the first step in investing in our constituent's health and in the future of the Salton Sea." The Salton … Continue Reading
February 04, 2016
Rep. Vargas Serves as Co-Chair of the 64th Annual National Prayer Breakfast
Washington, DC (February 4, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) co-hosted the National Prayer Breakfast this morning alongside Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4). Rep. Vargas welcomed over 3,400 guests at the Washington Hilton from 130 countries and 50 states. "My faith has guided me along a wonderful path in life," said Rep. Vargas. "It's steered me through my academic and professional career and it has blessed me with the encouragement to build a loving family. This breakfast serves as a forum … Continue Reading
January 19, 2016
Rep. Vargas' Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision to Rule on President Obama's Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC (January 19, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the Supreme Court announced their plans to review an appeal of the Fifth Circuit's ruling on President Obama's Executive Actions on immigration. "I'm pleased the Supreme Court has decided to take up the President's executive actions on immigration. The DACA and the DAPA Programs have been delayed long enough," said Rep. Vargas. "I remain optimistic that the Supreme Court … Continue Reading
January 13, 2016
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on President Obama’s Final State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC (January 13, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after President Obama's State of the Union address. "The President highlighted the many steps he has taken over the last few years to improve safety, reform healthcare and revive our economy. My fellow Members of Congress and I must build on this progress and work in a bipartisan way to deliver the positive change our constituents need. I sincerely look forward to working with my friends on both … Continue Reading
January 05, 2016
Rep. Vargas Welcomes Imperial County District Representative Tomás Oliva
El Centro, CA (January 5, 2016) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is pleased to welcome, Tomás Oliva, Senior Field Representative, to his team. Tomás will lead Representative Vargas’ Imperial County Office, located at 380 North 8th Street, El Centro, California 92243. On the Congressman’s behalf, Tomás will aid constituents as well as represent the office at official meetings and events. Tomás joins Rep. Vargas’s office after four years as Regional Affairs Officer at the Southern California … Continue Reading
January 05, 2016
Rep. Juan Vargas' Statement on President Obama's Executive Actions to Reduce Gun Violence
Washington, DC (January 05, 2016) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement on President Obama's Executive Actions to reduce gun violence: “President Obama’s executive action on gun control is a great first step in the fight against gun violence," said Rep. Vargas. "Now, it’s up to Congress to support the President’s actions and keep guns out of the wrong hands. I look forward to working with my colleagues to confront this devastating crisis.” Vargas represents … Continue Reading
December 18, 2015
Rep. Vargas Highlights Funding for Programs in the District Included in the FY2016 Omnibus
Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act: “This bill is the result of long hours of hard work and compromise through a bipartisan effort. Although not … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
Congressman Juan Vargas Leads Letter to President Obama, Requesting an Increase in Funding for the National Institutes of Health in the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request
Washington, DC (December 08, 2015) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is leading a group of 38 Representatives from across the United States in sending a letter to President Obama requesting he increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the FY2017 budget request. “The U.S. is a global leader in innovation in medical research. Unfortunately, that title is threatened by the past decade’s steady decline in research activities due to budget cuts and underfunding,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
December 04, 2015
Rep. Juan Vargas' Statement on the IAEA's Report on Possible Military Dimensions of Iran's Nuclear Programs
Washington, DC (December 04, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement on the recent findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency's report on the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program: “The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) recent report on the possible military dimensions of Iran’s secret nuclear weapons program confirms the concerns I’ve had that Iran did not submit an honest report of their past military activities for … Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Reps Juan Vargas, David N. Cicilline and Bill Pascrell, Jr Lead Letter to the House Committee on Appropriations to Increase Funding for Refugee Related-Accounts
Washington, DC (December 3, 2015) - Yesterday, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. David N. Cicilline and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr lead a group of Representatives from across the United States to send a letter to the House Appropriations Committee encouraging them to increase funding for refugee assistance and resettlement programs in the FY2016 budget. “Over 75% of those seeking refuge in the US are women and children who are desperately trying to escape the danger that has removed them from … Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
Rep. Vargas Introduces the “Imperial Valley Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015”
Washington, DC (November 18, 2015) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced the “Imperial Valley Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015” (H.R. 4060). This bill designates and transfers land in order to protect key habitats and creates new recreational areas including permitting motorized recreation on designated routes. “The Imperial Valley desert is home to vast amounts of diverse terrains that are of incredible importance to the people of our region and to the State of … Continue Reading
November 10, 2015
Representatives Vargas and Denham Establish Immigrant Servicemembers and Veterans Caucus
Washington, DC (November 10, 2015) — Today, Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA-51) and Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA-10) launched the Immigrant Servicemembers and Veterans Caucus, in an effort to focus on issues related to current Servicemembers and Veterans who are immigrants or on a pathway to a lawful immigration status. On the eve of Veteran’s Day, the caucuses launched to honor and recognize the contributions of immigrants who have and are serving in the military. “I am deeply humbled … Continue Reading
October 29, 2015
Rep. Juan Vargas Congratulates the District Organizations highlighted by the White House’s “Bright Spots” Catalog
Washington, DC (October 29, 2015) - The White House has launched the “Bright Spots” Catalog in celebration of the Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics’ 25th Anniversary. The document serves as a resource featuring 230 organizations across the Country that help further the education of members of the Hispanic community. The “Bright Spots” Catalog features three organizations from the 51st District: the Barrio Logan College Institute, Reality Changers, and the San Ysidro … Continue Reading