Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Names Imperial County Veteran Services Representative, Lorena Lacar, July “Citizen of the Month”
El Centro, CA (July 12, 2013) -Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) delivers the July "Citizen of the Month" award to Imperial Valley resident Lorena Lacar. Rep. Vargas is acknowledging Lacar for her commitment to helping veterans access the benefits they have earned and working to improve the overall well-being of the Imperial Valley's veteran community. "It is such an honor to recognize Lorena Lacar for the amazing work she does in the veteran community," said Rep. Vargas. "She plays an … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Rep. Vargas’ “Hazel’s Law” Continues to Gain Momentum in the House of Representatives
Washington, DC (July 11, 2013) -Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) H.R. 1690, "The Child Protection Act of 2013" - "Hazel's Law," is continuing to gain momentum in the U.S. House of Representatives, receiving strong bipartisan support. Hazel's Law, which now boasts 41 cosponsors, 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 prosecutors struggled to prove the trafficker knew his victim was a minor. … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Rep. Vargas Commends Senate for Passing Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
Washington, DC (June 27, 2013) - Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) applauds the United States Senate for passing S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, a bipartisan immigration reform bill. Vargas issued the following statement:"I am very pleased that the Senate has come together to pass a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill. However, the fight is not over. Now, it is imperative that the House put politics aside and work together to … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Rep. Vargas Denounces Supreme Court Decision to Eliminate Voters’ Rights
Washington, DC (June 25, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) condemned the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to declare the preclearance formula in Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Vargas issued the following statement:"Today's decision by the Supreme Court to strike down the preclearance formula in Section 4 is a blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) and puts the votes of many citizens living in traditionally discriminatory areas at risk. The VRA has been a … Continue Reading
June 20, 2013
Rep. Vargas Commends Congress for Protecting SNAP Benefits For Millions of Americans
Washington, DC (June 20, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) strongly commended Congress for taking a stand against more than $20.5 billion in devastating cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by voting in opposition of H.R. 1947, the "Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act." "I was pleased to see my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, come together to fight for the more than 2 million Americans, including seniors, children and the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Unanimously Support Rep. Vargas’ “Hazel’s Law”
San Diego, CA (June 18, 2013) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) H.R. 1690, "The Child Protection Act of 2013" - "Hazel's Law," received unanimous support from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. "Hazel's Law," a bipartisan bill which currently has 34 cosponsors, would remove the knowledge of age requirement for child sex trafficking cases. The bill, named after Hazel C., is based on a San Diego case which, because of current law, was delayed while the prosecution struggled to prove … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Rep. Vargas Demands Reporting Devastating Effects of SNAP Cuts
Washington, DC (June 18, 2013) -Today, before the House Committee on Rules, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) is introducing an amendment to H.R. 1947, the "Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act." The amendmentwould require the Secretary of Agriculture to post on the Department of Agriculture website the number of individuals, families, children, veterans, and seniors who would lose SNAP benefits nationally, by state, and by Congressional district, as a result of the cuts … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Rep. Vargas Fights for Veterans with Pending Disability Claims to Receive SNAP Benefits
Washington, DC (June 18, 2013) -Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA- 51) proudly joins Rep. Jackie Speier (CA- 14) in presenting an amendment to H.R. 1947, the "Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act," which would enable veterans to file for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the status of disabled while their disability claims are pending at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)."It is unfair for us to ask our veterans to forgo critical services, … Continue Reading
June 14, 2013
Rep. Vargas Proudly Supports National Defense Authorization Act of 2013
Washington, DC (June 14, 2013) -Today, Rep. Vargas proudly supported the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA), which he says is "a strong, bipartisan bill that successfully addresses necessary funding levels, supports our military troops, and works to control costs."Vargas, who has numerous military stations in his district, said, "The National Defense Authorization Act is incredibly important for my district, where over 25% of the economy is tied directly to the defense … Continue Reading
June 12, 2013
Rep. Vargas Pushes to Have NAF El Centro Analyzed as F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Homebase
Washington, DC (June 12, 2013) -Today, before the House Committee on Rules, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) is introducing an amendment to H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to complete a comparative financial study of the F-35 homebasing at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro and Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore before selecting the homebasing location."Based on preliminary numbers I have seen, it appears as though NAF … Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Rep. Vargas Calls for Enactment of Paycheck Fairness Act on 50th Anniversary of Equal Pay Act
Chula Vista, CA (June 10, 2013) -Today, on the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) urges Congress to address the still existing pay gap between men and women by advocating for the Paycheck Fairness Act."In my district, on average, women working full-time make 85 cents for every dollar earned by men, or approximately $6,145 less a year. Sadly, minority women make even less, earning only 55 to 64 cents per dollar," said Rep. Vargas. "This unjust gap in earnings … Continue Reading
June 07, 2013
Rep. Vargas Names South Bay Resident Randy Bellamy June “Citizen of the Month”
Chula Vista, CA (June 7, 2013) -Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) delivers the June "Citizen of the Month" award to Chula Vista resident Randy Bellamy. Rep. Vargas is acknowledging Bellamy for his commitment to providing athletic programs to those with disabilities, promoting character development programs for children, and enhancing the lives of South Bay residents."It gives me great pleasure to honor Randy Bellamy for his tremendous efforts and unparalleled dedication to improving his … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Rep. Vargas Delivers Speech Urging Congress to Approve Funding to Eliminate Veterans Claims Backlog
Washington, DC (June 6, 2013) -Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) is delivering a speech highlighting the urgent need to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) claims backlog. Efforts to reduce the backlog are seen in the "2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act" which has provisions that would help the VA reach its goal of ending its disability claims backlog by 2015."Eliminating the veterans claims backlog is essential to my district which is home to … Continue Reading
May 30, 2013
Rep. Vargas Names Betsy Keller of Chula Vista May 'Citizen of the Month'
Chula Vista, CA (May 30, 2013) -Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) will deliver the May “Citizen of the Month” award to Chula Vista resident Betsy Keller, on Thursday, May 30th, at 4:30PM at his Chula Vista District Office, located at 333 F St. Suite A. Rep. Vargas will acknowledge Keller for her service to the community and her constant support of the elderly and the arts. “I am so pleased to honor Betsy Keller for her tireless devotion to improving the overall quality of life of Chula Vista … Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Rep. Vargas Introduces Resolution Supporting Binational Efforts to Reduce Tijuana River Valley Pollution
Washington, DC (May 23, 2013) -Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) sponsored a resolution 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). The work of the USIBWC and CILA is expected to result in a proposed minute to the Water Treaty of 1944. “The current efforts by the USIBWC and CILA to … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Rep. Vargas Shadowed by San Diego Foster Youth in Honor of Foster Care Month
Washington, DC (May 21, 2013) -Today, in honor of National Foster Care Month, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) participated in the Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day which is held annually to help youths explore career paths that interest them. Rep. Vargas, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, is spending the day with a San Diego foster youth who would like to learn about Congress. "It is an honor to provide our foster youth with the opportunity to experience the inner … Continue Reading
May 17, 2013
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors “Disabled Veterans Nutrition Fairness Act of 2013”
Washington, DC (May 17, 2013) -Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is proudly cosponsoring the "Disabled Veterans Nutrition Fairness Act of 2013", introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14), which would allow veterans to file for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the status of disabled while their disability claims are pending at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)."Our veterans have made countless sacrifices fighting for our freedom. We cannot deny them SNAP benefits … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors “Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013” to Promote Healthy Food Options
Washington, DC (May 16, 2013) -Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is proudly cosponsoring H.R. 1414, the "Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013", introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1), which would expand opportunities for local and regional farmers, make it easier for consumers to have access to healthy foods, and provide purchase incentive programs for fruits and vegetables to those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "The 'Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013' is … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors the “Healthy Food Financing Initiative” Amendment
Washington, DC (May 15, 2013) -Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) joined Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH-11), as a cosponsor, in offering the "Healthy Food Financing Initiative" (HFFI) amendment, which would help small and independent businesses provide healthier food options, while addressing the limited access to healthy foods in the country. Today, the amendment was adopted into the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act in the House Committee on Agriculture."The 'Healthy Food Financing … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Rep. Vargas Presents District Priorities to the House Committee on Armed Services
Washington, DC (May 8, 2013) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), submitted testimony to the House Committee on Armed Services regarding the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. Rep. Vargas addressed numerous issues, all of which he said are top priorities for his district.The Department of the Navy is currently searching for a homebase for the F-35C aircraft, which is replacing the aging FA-18 aircraft. "I believe that the Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, in … Continue Reading