Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging EPA and IBWC to Address Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging EPA and IBWC to Address Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley WASHINGTON, D.C (July 29, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas led his San Diego Delegation colleagues in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to consider funding projects that would address the transboundary water pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. “I’m proud to lead my colleagues in the fight to address the … Continue Reading
July 27, 2022
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park San Diego, Calif. (July 27, 2022) — Yesterday, Congressmember Vargas led 15 members of Congress in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding his commitment to ensure the safety, security, and accessibility of Friendship Park in California’s 51st Congressional District. In May 2022, the Department of Homeland Security announced that border remediation … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $30 Million in House Legislation to Help California’s 51st Congressional District
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $30 Million in House Legislation to Help California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (July 20, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas secured $29.9 million in a House package of six government funding bills, which focuses on helping families and communities across America, including California’s 51st District. These transformative investments would improve the district’s transportation systems, create good-paying local jobs, and safeguard … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Protect Marriage Equality
Rep. Vargas Votes to Protect Marriage Equality WASHINGTON, D.C (July 18, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation would enshrine the marriage equality for same sex and interracial couples guaranteed by Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia for the purposes of federal law, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality. “I proudly voted for this … Continue Reading
July 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with Secretary Mayorkas Regarding Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with Secretary Mayorkas Regarding Friendship Park WASHINGTON, D.C (July 14, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the proposed border remediation projects in and around Friendship Park: “Today, I had a productive discussion with Secretary Mayorkas regarding proposed border projects at Friendship Park in my district,” said Rep. Vargas. “I urged Secretary … Continue Reading
July 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Enshrine Reproductive Rights into Federal Law
Rep. Vargas Votes to Enshrine Reproductive Rights into Federal Law WASHINGTON, D.C (July 15, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. This legislation would enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law and ensure that people could continue to make their own reproductive health decisions. “I proudly voted for this legislation to restore the … Continue Reading
July 08, 2022
Reps. Jacobs and Vargas Secure Legislative Fix to Transfer $300 Million to Combat Cross-Border Pollution
Reps. Jacobs and Vargas Secure Legislative Fix to Transfer $300 Million to Combat Cross-Border Pollution WASHINGTON, D.C (July 7, 2022) — Today, Congressmembers Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas announced that language included in the House State and Foreign Operations bill would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to transfer $300 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) for the purposes of planning, study, design, and construction, of wastewater … Continue Reading
July 08, 2022
Rep. Vargas Calls on Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas Calls on Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park San Diego, Calif. (July 8, 2022) — Today Congressmember Vargas sent a letter urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to cease all border wall remediation projects at Friendship Park in California’s 51st Congressional District. In 2021, President Biden halted all border projects authorized under the Trump Administration, yet in May 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) … Continue Reading
July 06, 2022
Rep. Vargas Introduces Resolution to Commemorate Jesuit Father Stan
Rep. Vargas Introduces Resolution to Commemorate Jesuit Father Stan WASHINGTON, D.C (July 5, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after introducing a resolution to commemorate Father Stan Swamy, an activist and Indian Jesuit priest who died while in police custody on July 5, 2021 at 84-years-old: “I’m proud to introduce a resolution to commemorate Jesuit Father Stan Swamy,” said Rep. Vargas. “Father Stan was a staunch human rights defender who dedicated his life … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill All 15 of Rep. Vargas’ Community Project Funding requests were included and could deliver $33.8 million to California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (June 27, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas announced the inclusion of 15 Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Committee Bill, totaling nearly $34 million. The inclusion of these requests is the first step … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Remain in Mexico Decision
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Remain in Mexico Decision WASHINGTON, D.C (June 24, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s opinion on Biden v. Texas. The 5-4 decision allows the Biden Administration to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico”, program: “This ruling is a welcome step toward restoring humanity to our outdated immigration system,” said Rep. Vargas. “Immigrants come to the United States seeking … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Migrant Deaths in San Antonio, TX
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Migrant Deaths in San Antonio, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 28, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after at least 50 migrants were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, TX: “This preventable tragedy is horrifying and heartbreaking,” said Rep. Vargas. “My thoughts are with the victims, survivors, and the families of those lost. For far too long, we have seen how cruel Trump-era immigration policies have harmed immigrants coming … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision WASHINGTON, D.C (June 24, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The 6-3 decision will severely restrict access to reproductive health care, adversely affecting millions of Americans: “Today's Supreme Court decision is fundamentally wrong and extremely disappointing,” said Rep. Vargas. “The … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill All 15 of Rep. Vargas’ Community Project Funding requests were included and could deliver $33.8 million to California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (June 27, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas announced the inclusion of 15 Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Committee Bill, totaling nearly $34 million. The inclusion of these requests is the first step … Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on DACA’s 10th Anniversary
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on DACA’s 10th Anniversary WASHINGTON, D.C (June 15, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the 10-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offers temporary protection from deportation and extends working rights to more than 800,000 undocumented immigrant youth: “Today marks 10 years since the DACA program brought over 800,000 immigrant youth out of the shadows so they could work, gain an … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Prevent Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Rep. Vargas Votes to Prevent Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act passed the House following deadly mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 9, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to prevent further tragic mass shootings through extreme risk protection orders. The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act allows family members and law enforcement to obtain a federal court order to temporarily … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Pass Critical Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
Rep. Vargas Votes to Pass Critical Gun Violence Prevention Legislation The Protecting Our Kids Act passed the House following deadly mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 8, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to pass a life-saving piece of gun violence legislation, which will save lives and prevent tragedies like the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas. “I’m proud to have voted for this landmark legislation that will … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Naming of Future Naval Destroyer USS Telesforo Trinidad
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Announcement on Naming of Future Naval Destroyer USS Telesforo Trinidad WASHINGTON, D.C (May 19, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement today after the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, announced a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named after Fireman 2nd Class Telesforo De La Cruz Trinidad, the first and only Filipino in the U.S. Navy to be awarded the Medal of Honor: “During Asian Pacific American … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Invest in Underfunded Workforce Development Programs
Rep. Vargas Votes to Invest in Underfunded Workforce Development Programs These investments will fill job openings with qualified workers, address supply chain issues, and lower costs for working families WASHINGTON, D.C (May 17, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022, which would invest in our nation’s workforce development programs and fill job openings with qualified workers. “In one year under President Biden’s … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Deliver Nearly $40 Billion in Aid to Ukraine
Rep. Vargas Votes to Deliver Nearly $40 Billion in Aid to Ukraine WASHINGTON, D.C (May 10, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to deliver $39.8 billion for critically needed resources as Ukraine continues to fight against brutal Russian forces. The Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act is robust funding package to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy. “I proudly voted to send additional military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine,” said … Continue Reading