Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Leads Efforts to Fund Hispanic Serving Institutions
WASHINGTON, DC (March 23, 2015) - This week, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is leading a bipartisan effort with 32 colleagues to send a letter requesting funding for several programs that support the 409 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the nation. The letter is addressed to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Rep. Vargas, with the Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Hold Operation Choke Point Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2015) - On Tuesday, March 23, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) will join his colleagues on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for a Hearing regarding the role of the FDIC in Operation Chokepoint. “This hearing is an important step in the investigation of Operation Choke Point and is essential for determining how this program is truly impacting the average citizen,” stated Vargas. “As the Congressman representing the entire US - … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Rep. Vargas Pushes for Health Care Programs in Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2015) - Yesterday, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and a group of bipartisan legislators submitted letters urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies to fund essential health care programs for our nation’s veterans during the 2016 Fiscal Year. Rep. Vargas led a letter to the Subcommittee requesting $15 million in funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) - Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Sharing … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Rep. Juan Vargas Hosts Immigration Executive Action Orientation
EL CENTRO, CA (March 12, 2015) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted an orientation event on President Barack Obama’s Immigration Executive Action in El Centro last night. The event provided details and eligibility information to the public about the programs made available by the Immigration Executive Action that was announced November 20, 2014. The event was organized in collaboration with Catholic Charities of San Diego and the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Rep. Vargas Statement on Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama
SAN DIEGO, CA (March 10, 2015) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after returning from the Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama that took place March 6-8, 2015. A bipartisan group of Members of Congress traveled to key landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery. “Over the weekend, I had the honor of participating in a pilgrimage that traveled throughout some of the most iconic sites of the Civil Rights Movement. Crowds of all ages … Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Rep. Juan Vargas Participates in Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama
WASHINGTON, DC (March 6, 2015) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas is participating in the 15th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama. The event is taking place March 6-8, 2015 at various landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement. This trip is organized by the Faith and Politics Institute and is comprised of a bipartisan group of Members of Congress from both chambers. “I am looking forward to participating in the Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama this year,” said Vargas. “It will be a … Continue Reading
March 05, 2015
Rep. Vargas Announces 2015 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, DC (March 5, 2015) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) announced the launch of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. Every year, the Congressional Institute holds a high school art competition throughout the country to recognize young artists and their work. The winning art works from each congressional district are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. “The Congressional Art Competition offers Members of Congress the chance to recognize the creative talents of high … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Rep. Vargas Statement on Women’s History Month
WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2015) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement in honor of Women’s History Month, which is observed March 1-March 31, 2015: “During the month of March, we celebrate the contributions that women have made to our country. In the course of our history, women have successfully led our nation during its most trying and pivotal moments. In both past and present we have seen women conquer unique new challenges and lead the way for future … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Rep. Vargas Statement on Passage of DHS Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2015) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after voting in favor of a clean Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today: “I am very pleased that the House passed a bill to fund DHS through the rest of the 2015 Fiscal Year. Although this could have been accomplished sooner, regrettably my Republican colleagues chose to delay funding for our nation’s security as a protest of … Continue Reading
January 20, 2015
Rep. Vargas Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2015) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. “President Obama delivered a strong case for the economic recovery during his presidency. The speech presented ideas to further strengthen our middle class, to ensure our country’s future, and to guarantee our nation remains competitive in the 21st century. I am happy to hear that the President has focused his remarks on priorities … Continue Reading
January 14, 2015
Rep. Vargas Statement on Department of Homeland Security Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC (January 14, 2015) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after voting against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2015. The bill is intended to fund the agency through September 30, 2015. “The DHS funding bill is another blatant attempt by Republicans to undermine President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration reform,” said Vargas. “Sadly, the Republicans have taken a bipartisan bill and added divisive amendments that … Continue Reading
November 26, 2014
Rep. Vargas Applauds Grants Awarded to Organizations in San Diego and Imperial Counties
San Diego, CA (November 26, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas applauds federal grant funding awarded to Family Health Centers of San Diego and San Ysidro Health Center in San Diego County, and Campesinos Unidos, INC. in Imperial County. “I am very pleased that these three exemplary organizations in my district will be given this much-needed grant funding. The assistance they provide to our communities is invaluable to the people who rely on their services,” said Vargas. “This funding both … Continue Reading
November 25, 2014
Rep. Vargas issues Statement on Extension of Iran Nuclear Negotiations
WASHINGTON, DC (November 25, 2014) —Rep. Juan Vargas, serving on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on the Middle East and North Africa, and on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, issued the following statement on the extension of Iran nuclear negotiations: “I find it worrying that nuclear negotiations with Iran have been extended for seven months, without additional pressure or sanctions. Although the Administration affirms that no deal is better than a bad deal, … Continue Reading
September 29, 2014
Rep. Juan Vargas Leads Bipartisan Letter to President Obama, Urging Prompt Re-Opening of In-Country Processing in Iraq
Washington, DC (September 29, 2014) Today, Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) is leading a bipartisan group of more than 20 Representatives from across the United States to send a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to resume in-county processing at the US Consulate in Erbil, Iraq as part of their humanitarian response to the atrocities taking place against religious minorities in Islamic State (IS)-held territories. “The United States has the strategic and moral … Continue Reading
June 25, 2014
Calexico Port of Entry Funding Approved by House Appropriations Committee
Washington, DC (June 25, 2014) -Today, a bipartisan group of legislators praised the House Appropriations Committee approval of the Financial Services and General Government Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill which includes $98 million for the Calexico Port of Entry reconfiguration and expansion project. “It is an honor to work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, as well as the region’s community leaders and business organizations to make the Calexico Port of Entry a priority … Continue Reading
June 25, 2014
Bipartisan San Diego Delegation Celebrates House Appropriations Committee Approval of San Ysidro Port of Entry Funding
Washington, DC (June 25, 2014) -The entire San Diego Congressional Delegation praised the House Appropriations Committee for approving $216 million for the San Ysidro Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion Project in the Financial Services and General Government Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill. “The committee’s nod of approval brings us one step closer to fully funding the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a truly vital component of California’s regional economy,” said Rep. Juan Vargas … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Rep. Vargas Fights for NAF El Centro Joint Strike Fighter Homebasing
WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2014) -Today, before the House Committee on Rules, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) is introducing an amendment to H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comparative financial analysis, including expected cost savings, of West Coast homebasing options for the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35). Currently, Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro and Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore are being … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Rep. Vargas Gets Buy-In from the U.S. Department of State on Importance of Funding Calexico Port of Entry
WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2014) -As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) attended today’s hearing on “The Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations.” During the hearing, he discussed the importance of funding the Calexico Port of Entry infrastructure project with U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson. Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the Committee hearing: “I was extremely pleased that Assistant Secretary Roberta … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Rep. Vargas Pushes to Keep Imperial County Airport Doors Open
WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) sent a letter to Secretary Anthony Foxx of the United States Department of Transportation urging him to reconsider terminating the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in El Centro, California. The “Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act” requires subsidized communities to average ten passenger enplanements per service day in order to remain in the EAS program. For the first time in at least five years, the … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Rep. Vargas and NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke Help STEM Achieve Liftoff with Imperial Valley Students
EL CENTRO, CA (May 12, 2014) - Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted retired Colonel and renowned NASA Astronaut Edward Michael “Mike” Fincke at Southwest High School in El Centro. Col. Fincke spoke with more than 1,000 middle school students and 800 high school students from the Imperial Valley about his spaceflight experiences as an astronaut and the importance of studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). “I am thrilled that Colonel Fincke was able to come to the … Continue Reading