Press Releases
Vargas Strategically Preserves Environmental Resources and Strengthens National Security
Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) applauded Senate passage of H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a key provision he authored. The NDAA is now heading to the President’s desk for signature. Vargas’ provision is based on H.R. 1691, “Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Transfer Act of 2013,’’ that he introduced in April. By strategically attaching his bill’s provisions to the NDAA, Rep. Vargas was able to effectively preserve … Continue Reading
December 19, 2013
Rep. Juan “Santa Claus” Vargas Makes a Surprise Visit to Children at Head Start Center
National City, CA (December 19, 2013) -Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) dressed up as jolly old Saint Nicholas and visited nearly 100 children at the Neighborhood House Association Urban Village I Head Start Center. As part of a holiday tradition, Rep. Vargas selects a Head Start, surprises the children as Santa, reads them stories and poses for photos. “Spending time with the children of Head Start is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season,” said Rep. Vargas. “It is a … Continue Reading
December 17, 2013
San Diego Reps. Vargas, Davis and Peters Fight for San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding
Washington, DC (December 17, 2013) - Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) was joined by Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging that the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Renovation and Expansion Project be funded at the President’s FY 2014 Budget level. This money would allow Phase II and Phase III of the project to begin moving forward. “The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Expansion Project is critical to … Continue Reading
December 16, 2013
Representatives Vargas, Honda and Pocan Urge State Department to Remain Neutral in Upcoming Salvadoran Election
Washington, DC (December 16, 2013) -Rep. Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Honda (CA-17), and Rep. Pocan (WI-2) were joined by forty eight other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the State Department urging for impartiality in the upcoming presidential elections in El Salvador. “I believe is it essential for the United States to support a free, fair and transparent electoral process in El Salvador,” said Rep. Vargas. “El Salvador has made positive strides in strengthening its voting process and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2013
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors Legislation to Urge Charitable Contributions to Victims of Philippine Typhoon
Washington, DC (December 13, 2013) -Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) became a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 3771, the “Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act,” introduced by Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14). This legislation is aimed at encouraging charitable contributions for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. “Typhoon Haiyan mercilessly ripped through the Philippines leaving behind staggering death and destruction. These people, many of whom have lost their homes and their loved … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Rep. Juan Vargas Passes Immigration Reform Fast to Rep. Joe Garcia
Washington, DC (December 5, 2013) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), who joined a group of advocates fasting as part of Fast 4 Families: A Call for Immigration Reform and Citizenship, passed his fast to Rep. Joe Garcia (FL-26) today. Rep. Vargas received the immigration reform fast from Rep. Joe Kennedy III (MA-4) yesterday. “It is an honor to be passing my fast to Rep. Joe Garcia,” said Rep. Vargas. “We must continue to stand together to fix an immigration system that creates second-class … Continue Reading
December 04, 2013
Rep. Vargas Continues Rep. Joe Kennedy’s Immigration Reform Fast
Washington, DC (December 4, 2013) -Rep. Joe Kennedy III (MA-4), who joined a new round of fasters yesterday in an effort to move forward with much-needed comprehensive immigration reform, passed his fast to Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) earlier today. Rep. Vargas’ fast will be passed on to Rep. Joe Garcia (FL-26) tomorrow. “I am honored to be continuing the fast started by my good friend Rep. Joe Kennedy,” said Rep. Vargas. “While we have chosen to fast, undocumented immigrants are forced to … Continue Reading
November 22, 2013
Rep. Vargas Hosts Briefing on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
National City, CA (November 22, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted the “Human Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children” briefing, which focused on the efforts being made to combat the sexual exploitation of children throughout the world. Earlier this year, Rep. Vargas introduced H.R. 1690, the Child Protection Act of 2013, which would remove the knowledge of age requirement in order to stop child sex traffickers from receiving lighter sentences. “I was … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Rep. Vargas, Joined by Senator Hueso and Assemblymember Pérez, Host Critical Public Safety Roundtable
El Centro, CA (November 8, 2013) -Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted a roundtable that brought together local, state and federal law enforcement to address public safety issues critical to the Imperial Valley. Rep. Juan Vargas was joined by State Senator Ben Hueso and State Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez. The event was held at the One Stop Business and Employment Services Center in El Centro, CA. “Today’s roundtable served as a critical and much-needed step in ensuring that public … Continue Reading
October 17, 2013
Rep. Vargas Applauds Bipartisan End to Shutdown
Washington, DC (October 17, 2013) -Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) made the following statement after the Senate and House passed a Continuing Resolution and debt ceiling increase: "The Senate and House passed bipartisan legislation that will fund the government and avoid default. Today, the government will reopen and thousands of hard working Americans will return to work, veterans' benefits will be paid, funding for WIC will allow young mothers and infants to receive nutrition assistance, … Continue Reading
October 12, 2013
Rep. Vargas Signs Petition to Reopen the Government, Calls on All Members of Congress to Sign
Washington, DC (October 12, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) made the following statement after signing a petition to reopen the government. This special congressional procedure, known as a discharge petition, would allow a majority of Members to force an up or down vote on a clean Continuing Resolution, providing funding through November 15, 2013. The discharge petition only needs the signatures of a majority of House Members. "As we enter the 12th day of this damaging federal … Continue Reading
October 09, 2013
Rep. Vargas Fights for Military Death Benefits Funding During Government Shutdown
Washington, DC (October 9, 2013) -Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA- 51) a proud cosponsor of House Joint Resolution 91, which would appropriate funding for the Department of Defense to finance U.S. military death benefits during a government shutdown, was joined by 424 other Congressional Members in support of the legislation. "Last weekend, four service members, one of whom was from my district, were killed in action. Due to the government shutdown, their families were denied military death … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Government Shutdown
Washington, DC (October 1, 2013) - Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives attempted to amend the Senate-passed Continuing Resolution three times, resulting in a government shutdown. "I am extremely disappointed that Speaker Boehner and House Republicans continuously blocked a vote on the Senate-passed Continuing Resolution that would have been signed by the President and avoided a government shutdown. Instead, House Republicans have … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Rep. Vargas Outraged that Congress Decimates SNAP Benefits For Millions of Hungry Americans
Washington, DC (September 19, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congress passed the "Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act," Republican legislation which cuts basic food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by nearly $40 billion."I was extremely disappointed to see my colleagues decimate SNAP benefits for more than 4 million Americans who rely on these benefits to survive. SNAP is a vital tool to fight hunger and help … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Rep. Vargas Hosts Briefing on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children to Raise Awareness of Epidemic
Washington, DC (September 19, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted the "Human Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 101" briefing, which focused on the efforts being made to combat the sexual exploitation of children throughout the world. Earlier this Congress, Rep. Vargas introduced H.R. 1690, the Child Protection Act of 2013, which would remove the knowledge of age requirement in order to prevent child sex traffickers from receiving lighter … Continue Reading
August 26, 2013
Rep. Vargas Hosts Open House at Newly Relocated Imperial Valley District Office
El Centro, CA (August 26, 2013) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted an open house at his newly relocated Imperial Valley district office located at 380 North 8th St., Suite 14 in El Centro. The open house gave constituents and local officials a chance to meet with Rep. Vargas and his staff, and ask any questions they might have about federal issues."I am thrilled to be able to meet with members of the Imperial Valley community," said Rep. Vargas. "It's a great opportunity for me … Continue Reading
August 22, 2013
Imperial Beach City Council Unanimously Supports Rep. Vargas’ Resolution Applauding Binational Pollution Reduction Efforts
Imperial Beach, CA (August 22, 2013) - Yesterday, Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) House Resolution 241, recognizing the importance of the United States International Boundary Water Commission (USIBWC) and its recent efforts to address trash, sediment, and water quality issues with its Mexican counterpart, Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas, (CILA) received unanimous support from the Imperial Beach City Council. The work of the USIBWC and the CILA is expected to result in a proposed minute to … Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
Rep. Vargas Fights to Stop Extreme Cuts to Housing and Transportation
Washington, DC (July 30, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) joined fellow Democrats to highlight the devastating effects that cuts to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), being proposed in H.R. 2610, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act of 2014 (T-HUD) will have on local economies and low-income Americans. If T-HUD is passed, the CDBG program will be cut by nearly 50 percent."Our veterans, children, seniors, and disabled are the … Continue Reading
July 16, 2013
Rep. Vargas’ “Hazel’s Law” Garners Unanimous Support from Imperial County Board of Supervisors
El Centro, CA (July 16, 2013) - Today, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to unanimously support Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) H.R. 1690, "The Child Protection Act of 2013" - "Hazel's Law". Hazel's Law, a bipartisan bill which has 42 cosponsors and the unanimous support of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, would remove the knowledge of age requirement for child sex trafficking cases. The bill is based on a San Diego case which was delayed while the prosecution fought to … Continue Reading
July 12, 2013
Rep. Vargas Names Historic Imperial Printers “Business of the Year”
El Centro, CA (July 12, 2013) -Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) delivers the "Business of the Year" award to Imperial Printers, a long-standing, locally-owned Imperial Valley company. Rep. Vargas is acknowledging Imperial Printers for its more than 100 years of service and its commitment to being actively involved in the community and improving the lives of Imperial Valley residents."It is a pleasure to honor Imperial Printers for its more than 100 years of success and its unwavering … Continue Reading