Press Releases
San Diego Delegation Secures Transfer of $300 Million to Combat Cross-Border Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C (December 23, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas and his San Diego Delegation colleagues applauded the passage of their provision to combat cross-border pollution in the Fiscal year 2023 government funding package. This provision authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to transfer $300 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) for the purposes of planning, study, design, and construction, of wastewater treatment works in the Tijuana … Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $35 Million for California’s 51st Congressional District in Government Funding Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 23, 2022) – Today, Representative Vargas voted to secure $34,623,332 in Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding package. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in California’s 51st Congressional District, including improving transportation systems and creating more opportunities for underserved communities. “I am proud to have secured almost $35 million to help my district where it needs it … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Protect Marriage Equality and Sends Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C (December 8, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation would ensure the protection of marriage rights from bigoted conservative attacks by enshrining marriage equality rights for same sex and interracial couples into federal law and repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. “No one should be discriminated against because of who they are, where they are from, or who they love,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on the Passage of the Veteran Service Recognition Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 6, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022: “Immigrant veterans risked their lives to keep our nation safe, and they deserve a pathway to citizenship,” said Rep. Vargas. “As an original co-sponsor of the Veteran Service Recognition Act, I’m proud to have worked alongside my Democratic colleagues to pass this landmark … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Congressional Leadership to Address Transboundary Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Congressional Leadership to Address Transboundary Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley WASHINGTON, D.C (November 15, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas led his San Diego Delegation colleagues in a letter urging Congressional leadership to consider funding projects to address transboundary water pollution in the Tijuana River Valley through an omnibus spending package for fiscal year 2023. “I’m proud to lead my colleagues in the fight to address … Continue Reading
October 12, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Los Angeles City Councilmembers’ Racist Remarks
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Los Angeles City Councilmembers’ Racist Remarks SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 12, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement regarding racist remarks made by members of the Los Angeles City Council: “The racist remarks made by Los Angeles City Council members are appalling,” said Rep. Vargas. “There should be no room for racism in local, state, or federal public office, and everyone involved must be held accountable for their actions. I call on … Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on His Vote to Keep Government Open and Support Working Americans
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on His Vote to Keep Government Open and Support Working Americans WASHINGTON, D.C (September 30, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement today after voting to pass legislation to fund the government through December 16, 2022: “Today, I proudly joined my Democratic colleagues and voted to keep the government open and advance key priorities for the people,” said Rep. Vargas. “This legislation includes billions in relief aid for communities hit … Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
House Passes Rep. Vargas’ Credit Union Board Modernization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C (September 28, 2022) — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass Congressmember Vargas’ bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act, H.R. 6889. This legislation would update the Federal Credit Union Act to modify current federal requirements for federal credit union board meetings and alter requirements that credit union boards meet once per month to once every other month. “I’m proud that my Congressional colleagues voted to pass the Credit Union Board … Continue Reading
September 28, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Magnus
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Magnus SAN DIEGO, Calif. (September 26, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Commissioner Magnus regarding proposed border remediation projects in California’s 51st Congressional District: “Today, I had a productive discussion with Commissioner Magnus regarding border construction projects in my district,” said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
August 29, 2022
San Diego Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Celebrates Binational Framework to Address Transboundary Flows from Mexico
San Diego Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Celebrates Binational Framework to Address Transboundary Flows from Mexico SAN DIEGO, CA (August 18, 2022) - Today, Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51), Mike Levin (CA-49), Scott Peters (CA-52), Sara Jacobs (CA-53) and Darrell Issa (CA-50) celebrated the ceremonial signing by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Boundary and Water Commission, and their respective Mexican counterparts, of a binational framework to … Continue Reading
August 29, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes for Landmark Legislation to Create Good-Paying Jobs, Combat Climate Change, and Lower Health Care Costs for Californians
Rep. Vargas Votes for Landmark Legislation to Create Good-Paying Jobs, Combat Climate Change, and Lower Health Care Costs for Californians WASHINGTON, D.C (August 12, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on his vote today to create good-paying jobs, address the climate crisis, and reduce health care costs for millions of Americans: “I proudly voted for the Inflation Reduction Act to deliver transformational change for working Americans, including my … Continue Reading
August 18, 2022
San Diego Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Celebrates Binational Framework to Address Transboundary Flows from Mexico
SAN DIEGO, CA (August 18, 2022) - Today, Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51), Mike Levin (CA-49), Scott Peters (CA-52), Sara Jacobs (CA-53) and Darrell Issa (CA-50) celebrated the ceremonial signing by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Boundary and Water Commission, and their respective Mexican counterparts, of a binational framework to stem the flow of transborder pollution in the San Diego-Tijuana region, and the commemoration of its entry into force. … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Temporary Pause to Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Temporary Pause to Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park San Diego, Calif. (August 4, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a temporary pause on the border wall remediation projects in and around Friendship Park: “I am pleased that CBP has listened to my concerns and is pausing the border remediation projects in and around Friendship Park,” said Rep. Vargas. “Since its … Continue Reading
July 29, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Save Lives and Ban Assault Weapons
Rep. Vargas Votes to Save Lives and Ban Assault Weapons WASHINGTON, D.C (July 29, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. This legislation would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, in turn saving lives and making communities safer. “It’s an honor to vote for this landmark legislation and help make our nation’s stores, churches, and schools safer,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
July 29, 2022
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging EPA and IBWC to Address Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging EPA and IBWC to Address Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley WASHINGTON, D.C (July 29, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas led his San Diego Delegation colleagues in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to consider funding projects that would address the transboundary water pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. “I’m proud to lead my colleagues in the fight to address the … Continue Reading
July 27, 2022
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas Leads Letter Urging Secretary Mayorkas to Halt All Border Remediation Projects at Friendship Park San Diego, Calif. (July 27, 2022) — Yesterday, Congressmember Vargas led 15 members of Congress in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding his commitment to ensure the safety, security, and accessibility of Friendship Park in California’s 51st Congressional District. In May 2022, the Department of Homeland Security announced that border remediation … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $30 Million in House Legislation to Help California’s 51st Congressional District
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $30 Million in House Legislation to Help California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (July 20, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas secured $29.9 million in a House package of six government funding bills, which focuses on helping families and communities across America, including California’s 51st District. These transformative investments would improve the district’s transportation systems, create good-paying local jobs, and safeguard … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Protect Marriage Equality
Rep. Vargas Votes to Protect Marriage Equality WASHINGTON, D.C (July 18, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation would enshrine the marriage equality for same sex and interracial couples guaranteed by Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia for the purposes of federal law, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality. “I proudly voted for this … Continue Reading
July 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with Secretary Mayorkas Regarding Friendship Park
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Meeting with Secretary Mayorkas Regarding Friendship Park WASHINGTON, D.C (July 14, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the proposed border remediation projects in and around Friendship Park: “Today, I had a productive discussion with Secretary Mayorkas regarding proposed border projects at Friendship Park in my district,” said Rep. Vargas. “I urged Secretary … Continue Reading
July 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Enshrine Reproductive Rights into Federal Law
Rep. Vargas Votes to Enshrine Reproductive Rights into Federal Law WASHINGTON, D.C (July 15, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Juan Vargas voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. This legislation would enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law and ensure that people could continue to make their own reproductive health decisions. “I proudly voted for this legislation to restore the … Continue Reading