Press Releases
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
July 12, 2013
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