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 funding with an additional adjustment for food price inflation for TEFAP commodity purchases. Also supported $100 million for TEFAP storage and food distribution.
  • Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI): Requested $30 million for the HSI program at the National Science Foundation, $40 million for the Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Institutional (HSACU) Capacity-Building Grant program, $10 million for the HSACU Endowment Fund, and $40 million for the Title VII – HSI Grant program.
  • Alfalfa Forage and Research: Requested $3 million for the high priority research and extensions initiative.
  • Childhood Hunger in the Summer: Supported $50 million of funding to provide meals for students during the summer.
  • The Army Corp of Engineers’ Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Account: Requested an increase in funding for programs that tackle the devastating effects of El Niño.
  • Salton Sea Funding: Supported the request of $300,000 for the Bureau of Reclamations’ Salton Sea Research Project.

“I want my constituents to have access to benefits that will help them thrive, furthering their education, living in a healthy environment, and having nutritious food available,” said Rep. Vargas. “Funding these crucial programs will give everyone in the 51st district a chance at a brighter future.”

Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border.  Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress.  He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.