Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Statement on Historical Inauguration of President Biden and Vice-President Harris
Washington, DC (January 20, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement on the historical inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris: "This is a White House that cares and works for ALL Americans, no matter where they came from, what they look like, or who they love. I trust that the new administration will do everything in their power to guide us to be more united and put the American People first. Today, we welcome integrity and true … Continue Reading
January 15, 2021
REP. VARGAS DEMANDS TRUMP TO IMMEDIATELY STOP BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION AT FRIENDSHIP PARK
Washington, DC (January 15, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter, along with Reps. Levin (CA-49) and Jacobs (CA-53), demanding that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stop border wall construction at Friendship Park. "Today, I sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding that they halt border wall construction projects at Friendship Park. The President should be … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Reps. Vargas and Ruiz’s Salton Sea Project Included in Water Resources Legislation
Washington, DC (December 8, 2020) - Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) which contains a section authored by Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to strengthen the federal, state, and local partnership at the Salton Sea. This provision was also included in an earlier version of WRDA passed in July of this year. Included in S. 1811 is an authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to take the … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ FIND TRAFFICKING ACT INCLUDED IN NDAA
Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2020)— The House and Senate have agreed to include Rep. Vargas’ (CA-51) bill, H.R. 502 Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act, in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, can be used for legal purchases. However, the anonymity associated with virtual currencies has led them to become a preferred financial payment method for criminal organizations. “I'm pleased that my bill, the FIND … Continue Reading
November 23, 2020
Rep. Vargas Named Conferee to National Defense Authorization Act Conference for Fiscal Year 2021
Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2020) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Rep. Vargas (CA-51) to serve on a conference committee of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). NDAA conferees from the House and Senate will work together to resolve the key differences between the two defense authorization bills passed by each chamber this summer. "I'm honored to serve in a committee that aims to ensure that the National Defense Authorization Act puts people first," said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors Salton Sea Public Health and Environmental Protection Act
Washington, DC (November 19, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after joining Rep. Ruiz (CA-36) as an original cosponsor of H.R. 8775, the Salton Sea Public Health and Environmental Protection Act. The legislation would bring significant federal funding to the Salton Sea while streamlining projects; increasing coordination between local, state, and federal officials; and holding federal agencies accountable to their commitments at the Salton Sea. “I am … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Court Ruling DHS Secretary's DACA Rules Invalid and Unlawful
Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after a federal judge ruled that Chad Wolf was unlawfully appointed as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting secretary. Subsequently, DHS lacked the authority to limit DACA applications and renewals. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). "I’m not … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Chicano Park Selected by National Park Service to be Surveyed and Recognized as Affiliated Area
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2020)— The National Park Service (NPS) will undertake a reconnaissance survey to recognize the national significance of Chicano Park and its murals as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This comes after a hearing on Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51)’s legislation H.R. 484, the Chicano Park Preservation Act of 2019 in front of the U.S. of House Representative’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands hearing on Oct. 29, 2019. The bill … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court Decision to End Census Count Early
Washington, D.C. (October 14, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to grant the administration’s request to halt Census counting before October 31. “The U.S. Supreme Court decision to end the Census 2020 count early will impact our communities for at least a decade. As it is, the Census 2020 count faced many challenges this year—from the COVID-19 pandemic to interference from the Trump Administration. This … Continue Reading
October 06, 2020
REP. VARGAS SENDS LETTER TO IMPERIAL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADDRESSING FEDERAL NEW RIVER AND SALTON SEA MITIGATION EFFORTS
Imperial County, CA (October 6, 2020) Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after sending a letter to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors updating them on important legislation on the New River and Salton Sea. The letter also highlights collaboration opportunities to address cross border pollution at a local, state and federal level. “My colleagues in Congress and I have and will continue fighting for additional funding and federal resources needed to mitigate cross border … Continue Reading
September 26, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS JOINS CHC IN ICE DETENTION CENTER TOUR FOLLOWING WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS
Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released a statement following his tour of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, alongside Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) members and members of the House Judiciary Committee. The tour comes after multiple immigrant women in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody were allegedly coerced into undergoing medical procedures, including hysterectomies. "I demand … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
Rep. Vargas Sends Letter to U.S. Department of State, EPA, and IBWC in Response to Latest Spill into New River
Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2020) Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after sending a letter to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in response to the latest spill of untreated water into the New River, which occurred on Friday, September 18, 2020. Nearly one million gallons of cross border sewage was released into the New River. The New River begins in Mexico and flows northward … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Statement on ICE Nurse Whistleblower Complaint
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after a nurse, employed at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, filed a whistleblower complaint stating that immigrant women in ICE custody were coerced into undergoing medical procedures, including hysterectomies. "I'm appalled with the horrific accusations of human rights violations of women in ICE custody. This behavior is a dark reminder of our country's … Continue Reading
August 25, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON 10-HOUR BORDER WAIT TIME REPORTS DUE TO RECENT CBP OPERATIONAL CHANGES
San Diego, CA (August 25, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to San Diego Union Tribune reporting up to 10 hours in border crossing wait times. Last week, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made operational changes at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and Calexico West Land Ports of Entry in efforts to discourage leisure travelers from traveling to and from Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. The operational changes, however, more than double the average wait … Continue Reading
August 24, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PORT OF ENTRY WAIT TIMES CREATED BY CBP OPERATIONAL CHANGES
San Diego, CA (August 24, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operational changes causing significant increases in wait times at San Ysidro (SYPOE), Otay Mesa and Calexico West Land Ports of Entry. "This morning, we are hearing reports that operational changes at ports of entry across my district are causing more than double the average wait time for essential travelers crossing the U.S.-Mexico … Continue Reading
August 19, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S ATTACKS ON POSTAL SERVICE AND TEMPORARY POLICY REVERSAL
Washington, D.C. (August 19, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s attempts to manipulate the elections and their temporary reversal of U.S. Postal Service policies under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “Having a reliable, efficient, and fully-funded U.S. Postal Service has never been more important. Trump's actions are an attack on our democracy and a threat to the lives and livelihood of the American people. … Continue Reading
August 07, 2020
REPS. VARGAS, DAVIS, PETERS, RUIZ, AND LEVIN INTRODUCE BORDER WATER QUALITY RESTORATION AND PROTECTION ACT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. (August 7, 2020) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), along with Reps. Davis (CA-53), Peters (CA-52), Ruiz (CA-36), and Levin (CA-49), introduced the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020, a companion bill to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) legislation introduced on July 29, 2020. The legislation will address pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border and help improve the water quality of the Tijuana River and New River. The bill will designate the … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
REP. VARGAS SENDS LETTER TO NAVY ADDRESSING USS BONHOMME RICHARD FIRE AIR QUALITY IMPACTS
Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter addressed to Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite, concerning the burning of the USS Bonhomme Richard and how it impacted Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, National City and the surrounding communities. On July 12, 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard experienced an explosion causing a fire aboard the ship. As a result, smoke impacted the air quality in the surrounding … Continue Reading
July 29, 2020
REPS. VARGAS AND RUIZ’S SALTON SEA RESTORATION LANGUAGE INCLUDED IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2020) - Today, language submitted by Reps. Vargas (CA-51) and Ruiz (CA-36) was included in the Water Resources Development Act for Salton Sea restoration efforts. The legislation will help carry out water resource development projects and a study for the construction of a perimeter lake to restore the Salton Sea. “I’m very pleased that our language was included in the Water Resources Development Act,” said Rep. Vargas. “There is a dire need for critical … Continue Reading
July 28, 2020
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Administration's Attempt to Roll Back Supreme Court DACA Decision
Washington, D.C. (July 28, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a memo indicating that the Trump administration will not accept any new DACA applications. In addition, the memo states that renewals for current DACA recipients will be limited to one year, as opposed to two. This comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling indicating that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal … Continue Reading