Press Releases
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
December 20, 2013
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