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 Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, which supports overseas assistance to displaced refugees, and funding for humanitarian services.
- Requested $100 million to enhance the United States’ ability to respond to unexpected crises quickly.
- Requested $2.8 billion to fund humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people in their home countries.
“Funding for refugee relief assistance is of paramount importance for the well-being and safety of people suffering under the threat of unspeakable violence,” said Rep. Vargas. “The United States has a history of supporting displaced persons all over the world during times of crisis. Funding these accounts would reflect our country’s moral leadership and provide relief to millions in need.”
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.
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