Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Congratulates Southwestern College’s “El Sol Magazine” for Being Named America’s Best
Chula Vista, CA (February 18, 2014) - Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) presented Southwestern College’s “El Sol Magazine” with a Congressional Record in honor of being named America’s Best College General Magazine in America for 2013. “I am incredibly proud to honor the journalism students and faculty of Southwestern College, whose talents and dedication have produced the award-winning El Sol Magazine,” said Rep. Vargas. “Southwestern College has established its collegiate journalism program … Continue Reading
February 14, 2014
Op-Ed: Another View: Joint Strike Fighter belongs at NAF El Centro
Growing up in San Diego County, I saw firsthand the daily contributions service men and women made to our local communities. I have a deep appreciation for the support that military bases inherently provide to the Southern California region. These men and women are strong examples of leadership, frequently serving as role models, volunteering in the community, and engaging in civil discourse. For nearly 20 years, I have been highly honored to represent various districts with large military … Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Rep. Vargas Votes to Restore Military Retiree COLA
WASHINGTON, DC (February 11, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) was proud to support S. 25, which repeals the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) reduction enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.J.Res. 59) for working-age military retirees under the age of 62. “Protecting the retirement benefits of those who have spent their lives defending our nation is the morally correct thing to do,” said Rep. Vargas. “Our men and women in uniform have made immeasurable sacrifices and should never be asked … Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Rep. Vargas Fights To Protect Cattle Industry in Imperial County
WASHINGTON, DC (February 11, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development and Credit requesting a hearing to examine the impact of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on cattle producers in the Western States, especially California. The COOL regulations are directly contributing to a cattle shortage in California. “The new COOL regulations limit the supply of … Continue Reading
February 10, 2014
Reps. Vargas, Davis, Peters, Ruiz and Grijalva Call on President to Fund Calexico Port of Entry Project
WASHINGTON, DC (February 10, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) was joined by Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36), and Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-3) in sending a letter to the President of the United States urging him to include funding for Phase 1 of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) reconfiguration and expansion project in his FY 2015 Budget Request. “Modernizing the Calexico West LPOE is essential to improving the economy of the entire Southwest … Continue Reading
February 07, 2014
Rep. Vargas Congratulates Heber Elementary On “2013-14 Schools to Watch” Designation
WASHINGTON, DC (February 7, 2014) - Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) congratulates Heber Elementary School for its recent “2013-14 Schools to Watch™ - Taking Center Stage (STW™—TCS) Program” designation. The STW™—TCS Program, implemented primarily by the California League of Middle Schools and the California Department of Education, highlights exceptional teaching, as well as exemplary academic performance by students. “Heber Elementary’s accomplishments are a testament to the academic … Continue Reading
February 05, 2014
Rep. Vargas Urges Measures to Further Protect Students from Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON, DC (February 5, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after joining 38 other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the United States Department of Education regarding student sexual assault: “Tragically, sexual harassment and assault continue to plague college campuses across the nation, devastating the lives of many students. I applaud the White House for establishing the Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, which targets the … Continue Reading
February 05, 2014
Rep. Vargas Applauds CVS Caremark for Stopping the Sale of Tobacco Products
WASHINGTON, DC (February 5, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after learning that CVS Caremark will stop the sale of tobacco products: “As a longtime advocate for public health, I was very pleased to learn that CVS Caremark has made the decision to stop selling tobacco products. I applaud their efforts to focus on the overall health of individuals and help reduce tobacco-related deaths, cancer and heart disease. CVS Caremark’s leadership on this health … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Rep. Vargas Celebrates Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) joins millions of Americans in marking the annual celebration of February as Black History Month - a commemoration that has occurred in America since 1976. “During Black History Month, let us celebrate the African Americans who made extraordinary sacrifices in the name of justice and equality, and honor the courageous people who fought for the passage of the Civil Rights Act,” said Rep. Vargas. The theme of Black History Month this … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Rep. Vargas Joins USA Network in Launching Characters Unite Month
WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is proud to have joined with USA Network in its efforts to promote Characters Unite Month this February. This partnership will continue to bring awareness to the Network’s award-winning, five-year public service campaign to combat hate and discrimination. “I will not stand for the discrimination of our elderly and have made protecting their well-being a top priority,” said Rep. Vargas. “I am honored that USA Network has given me a … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
Rep. Vargas’ Hazel’s Law Gains Support During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after his bill, “The Child Protection Act of 2013” - “Hazel’s Law,” reached an impressive bipartisan benchmark, garnering 55 bill cosponsors: “I am extremely pleased to see that during January, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, support for Hazel’s Law has continued to grow. I am proud to announce that as of today, 55 Members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, have become … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
Rep. Vargas Takes a Stand to Protect SNAP Recipients
WASHINGTON, DC (January 29, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act: “I have fought tirelessly to ensure that the Farm Bill includes funding for programs that are of particular benefit to my district and California as a whole. I was pleased that crucial provisions supporting California’s specialty crops, expanding agricultural … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Rep. Juan Vargas Invites Community Leader and Activist to 2014 State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC (January 28, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas eagerly awaits the arrival of Rosa Lopez, his guest for the 2014 State of the Union Address. Rosa, who currently works seven days a week as a janitor, is an active leader in her union, SEIU United Service Workers West. Through her advocacy, she is able to help her co-workers, and janitors all over California, stand up for better jobs. “I am thrilled to have Rosa as my guest of honor for the 2014 State of the Union Address,” Rep. … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Reps. Vargas, Peters, and Davis Celebrate San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding
Washington, DC (January 16, 2014) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Susan Davis (CA- 53), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), and Jerry Sanders, CEO and President of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, celebrated a triumph for the greater San Diego region. The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion Project received $226 million in funding in the omnibus appropriations bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday. This money would fully fund Phase … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Rep. Vargas Highlights Imperial County Priorities Funded in Omnibus
WASHINGTON, DC (January 16, 2014) -Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the bipartisan $1.1 trillion government spending bill which was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday. Vargas was pleased with the House’s ability to work together to fund essential programs in his district including numerous items of direct significance to Imperial County residents. “I was delighted to see funding for key programs that protect our children, women and seniors,” stated … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Rep. Vargas Proudly Highlights Funding for Programs Essential to District
WASHINGTON, DC (January 15, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed the Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act: “Today’s omnibus appropriations bill was a much-needed step towards funding our government in a responsible and bipartisan manner. This bill includes essential investments that put our nation back on the path of job creation, innovation, education, and social justice. “I was pleased to … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Rep. Vargas Fights To Protect Veterans’ Retirement Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC (January 15, 2014) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3804, introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), which would repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.J.Res. 59) that reduces the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for military retirees under the age of 62. “The nation’s budget should not be balanced on the backs of our veterans, who have put their lives at risk in defense of our country,” said Rep. Vargas. “Our men and women in uniform … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Rep. Vargas Applauds End to FDA User Fee Sequester
WASHINGTON, DC (January 15, 2014) - Last week, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), along with 33 other Members of Congress, coauthored a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, urging the release of sequestered Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees in the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bill, which was unveiled on Monday, includes language releasing the $85 million in sequestered FY2013 FDA user fees and increasing funding for the FDA. “The sequestration of user fees … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Rep. Vargas Ramps Up Fight to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance
WASHINGTON, DC (January 10, 2014) - In his continued pursuit to defend unemployment insurance benefits for millions of Americans, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) proudly cosponsored H.R. 3824, the “Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act,” introduced by Rep. John Tierney (MA-6). This bill would provide for the extension of certain unemployment benefits. This week, Rep. Vargas also joined 48 Freshman House Democrats to urge Speaker John Boehner (OH-8) to schedule an immediate, up-or-down … Continue Reading
December 20, 2013
Representatives Vargas and Polis Fight for DACA Individuals Eager to Join Military
Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) -Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Jared Polis (CO-2) were joined by fellow Members of Congress in urging the Department of Defense to issue a memo allowing Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to enlist in all branches of the United States military. Currently, individuals who qualify for DACA are ineligible for service. “By allowing DACA individuals to enlist, we not only ensure that all branches of our military remain fully staffed, … Continue Reading