Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Statement on Biden Administration’s Continued Commitment to Israel’s Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement on his support for the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to Israel’s security. “On October 7th, Hamas unleashed pure evil and terror on Israel and its people. In the aftermath of that horrific attack, the United States sent a strong message to Israel - you are not alone and you never will be. I applaud President Biden for continuing to demonstrate that our commitment to Israel’s security is … Continue Reading
March 26, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Urge DHS to Address Major Barriers to Asylum with CBP One App
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined 29 of his House colleagues in calling on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to address concerns regarding the Customs and Border Protection’s mobile application (CBP One), the primary mechanism for managing asylum interview requests. Since its implementation, issues with the CBP One app have posed challenges for people seeking asylum at ports of entry. In 2023, Rep. Vargas joined his colleagues in … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Rep. Vargas, San Diego Congressional Delegation, Governor Celebrate $156 Million in Funding to Help Combat Cross-Border Sewage Pollution
WASHINGTON - Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. Darrell Issa, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler, and Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the inclusion of over $156 million for the U.S. International Boundary Water Commission in the bipartisan government funding bill. The funding can be used for critical repairs to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to help combat cross-border pollution. “For too long, our communities have … Continue Reading
March 20, 2024
Rep. Vargas, Colleagues Urge House and Senate Leadership to Preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program
WASHINGTON - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined 158 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to work to preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is set to begin running out of funds next month. Over 78,000 households in California’s 52nd Congressional District are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity … Continue Reading
March 13, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Voting “No” on Legislation That Would Ban TikTok
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 13th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement: “Today, I was among the 50 Democratic members of Congress who voted against a bill that would have forced a TikTok sale. We should respond to any national security threat posed by TikTok in a way that stays true to our country’s commitment to freedom of speech. This bill was not it. I look forward to continuing … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Rep. Vargas Secures More than $14 Million for Community Projects
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 12th, 2024) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) secured more than $14 million in federal funding for community projects across South San Diego County for FY 2024 in the funding package that passed the House of Representatives. “I’m proud to have secured more than $14 million in Federal funding that will assist and strengthen our communities,” said Rep. Vargas. “It is critical that we support our … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Sustainable Investment Caucus Applauds SEC Climate Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) , co-chairs of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, released the following statement regarding the SEC’s finalized rulemaking requiring companies to disclose climate-related financial risks: “The climate rule approved by the SEC today ensures investors have access to clear, comparable, and standardized disclosures to judge registrants’ climate risks. Climate change remains a threat to … Continue Reading
February 20, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on President Biden Declaring Federal Disaster in San Diego County
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 20th, 2024) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement: “I am extremely grateful for President Biden’s decision to respond to the severe storms and flooding experienced in the 52nd Congressional District and across San Diego County by issuing a federal declaration that will allow people harmed by the flooding to access additional resources,” said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter to President Biden Urging an Expeditious Approval of California’s Major Disaster Declaration Request
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 15th, 2024) - This week, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), led a letter with 27 California Representatives to President Biden urging him to approve the State of California’s Major Disaster Declaration request in response to the severe storm that impacted San Diego County in late-January. The storms caused severe flooding that affected many individuals, businesses, and local farms. A major disaster … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Vargas, Casten, and Whitehouse, lead 65 Colleagues in letter to Appropriations Leadership Opposing Anti-Sustainable Investing Riders
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | (619) 405-3555 | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov Washington, D.C. (February 1 , 2024) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52), Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), led 65 of their colleagues in a letter to the House and Senate appropriations leadership opposing several anti-ESG riders spread across the FY 2024 appropriations bills. “These appropriations riders follow a dangerous trend of political interference … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Rep. Vargas Introduces Bipartisan Legislation for Middle East FDA Office
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 31, 2024) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) introduced the United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 7155), which calls for the establishment of a U.S. FDA Bureau in the Abraham Accords region. “I’m pleased to cosponsor the United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act, which would establish an FDA office in … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Rep. Vargas Leads Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Unlock Federal Funds for Safe Parking Programs Nationwide
Media Contact: Rep. Vargas | Anzueth Barela | anzueth.barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 31, 2024) — Yesterday, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), introduced bipartisan legislation to unlock federal dollars for safe parking programs with California Representatives Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and David Valadao (R-CA-22). The Naomi Schwartz and Susan Rose Safe Parking Act, which is named in honor of the two Santa Barbara County Supervisors who first developed the 2004 … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Sustainable Investment Caucus Celebrates One-Year of Protecting Investor Freedom
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2024) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), co-chairs of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus (CSIC), released the following statement celebrating the first anniversary of the establishment of the caucus: “When we started the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus one year ago, we did so to better inform policymaking by … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Rep. Vargas Statement on Extensive Damage Caused by the Recent Storm in San Diego County
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov SAN DIEGO, CA (January 24, 2024) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement: “I witnessed the extensive damage caused by the recent storm and since only 8,128 out of 1.15 million households in San Diego County have flood insurance, many in the 52nd Congressional District could face significant challenges in covering damages,” said Rep. Vargas. “We need to use all available tools to respond … Continue Reading
January 17, 2024
Reps. Vargas, Meeks, Beatty, and Horsford Lead Letter to Financial Agencies Calling for Small Business Credit Accessibility and Mortgage Affordability
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 17th, 2024) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52), Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) were joined by more than 50 members of Congress in sending a letter to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency commenting on implementation of the … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
Rep. Vargas Leads Bipartisan Coalition to Expand Affordable Lending Options
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 10th, 2024) - Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52), Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) co-introduced the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act. This bill would expand credit options for Americans by giving credit unions the flexibility to offer longer loan terms and lower monthly payments, thus creating greater competition for lending products including small business, student, and … Continue Reading
December 22, 2023
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Secretary Mayorkas to Reverse the Closure of PedWest at the San Ysidro Port of Entry
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov SAN DIEGO, CA (December 22, 2023) - Recently, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), and Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging Secretary Mayorkas to immediately reverse the decision to transfer 40 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel from the San Diego Region while considering the negative impacts on our communities … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Rep. Vargas Co-Leads Letter Urging U.S. Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security to Allocate Resources to Assist with Asylum Seekers Awaiting Processing in San Diego’s Rural Border Region
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov SAN DIEGO, CA (December 21, 2023) - Recently, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), co-led a letter with Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), along with Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), and Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) urging Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas to allocate resources that will help assist with processing asylum seekers in Jacumba. As we approach … Continue Reading
December 08, 2023
Rep. Vargas Statement on Secretary Mayorkas and CBP’s Plans to Pull Agents from the Busiest Land Port of Entry
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov SAN DIEGO, CA (December 8, 2023) — Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), issued the following statement in response to CBP’s plans to close PedWest: “I urgently call upon Secretary Mayorkas to rescind CBP’s plans to pull agents from the busiest land port of entry in the Western Hemisphere. The San Ysidro Port of Entry is the most utilized gateway into the United States, and Mayorkas should prioritize it as such. … Continue Reading
November 29, 2023
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors the Bipartisan Filipino Veterans Fairness Act
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 29, 2023) — Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), serving on the House Financial Services committee, issued the following statement in support of the Bipartisan Filipino Veterans Fairness Act: "Last month, I was a proud cosponsor on the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Fairness Act. This critical piece of legislation will restore benefits to Filipino veterans who fought under U.S. command in World War … Continue Reading