Press Releases
Rep. Vargas Introduces Resolution to Commemorate Jesuit Father Stan
Rep. Vargas Introduces Resolution to Commemorate Jesuit Father Stan WASHINGTON, D.C (July 5, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after introducing a resolution to commemorate Father Stan Swamy, an activist and Indian Jesuit priest who died while in police custody on July 5, 2021 at 84-years-old: “I’m proud to introduce a resolution to commemorate Jesuit Father Stan Swamy,” said Rep. Vargas. “Father Stan was a staunch human rights defender who dedicated his life … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill All 15 of Rep. Vargas’ Community Project Funding requests were included and could deliver $33.8 million to California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (June 27, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas announced the inclusion of 15 Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Committee Bill, totaling nearly $34 million. The inclusion of these requests is the first step … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Remain in Mexico Decision
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Remain in Mexico Decision WASHINGTON, D.C (June 24, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s opinion on Biden v. Texas. The 5-4 decision allows the Biden Administration to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico”, program: “This ruling is a welcome step toward restoring humanity to our outdated immigration system,” said Rep. Vargas. “Immigrants come to the United States seeking … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Migrant Deaths in San Antonio, TX
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Migrant Deaths in San Antonio, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 28, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement after at least 50 migrants were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, TX: “This preventable tragedy is horrifying and heartbreaking,” said Rep. Vargas. “My thoughts are with the victims, survivors, and the families of those lost. For far too long, we have seen how cruel Trump-era immigration policies have harmed immigrants coming … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision WASHINGTON, D.C (June 24, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The 6-3 decision will severely restrict access to reproductive health care, adversely affecting millions of Americans: “Today's Supreme Court decision is fundamentally wrong and extremely disappointing,” said Rep. Vargas. “The … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill
Rep. Vargas Secures Nearly $34 Million in Community Project Funds in Appropriations Committee Bill All 15 of Rep. Vargas’ Community Project Funding requests were included and could deliver $33.8 million to California’s 51st Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C (June 27, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas announced the inclusion of 15 Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Committee Bill, totaling nearly $34 million. The inclusion of these requests is the first step … Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on DACA’s 10th Anniversary
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on DACA’s 10th Anniversary WASHINGTON, D.C (June 15, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement on the 10-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offers temporary protection from deportation and extends working rights to more than 800,000 undocumented immigrant youth: “Today marks 10 years since the DACA program brought over 800,000 immigrant youth out of the shadows so they could work, gain an … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Prevent Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Rep. Vargas Votes to Prevent Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act passed the House following deadly mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 9, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to prevent further tragic mass shootings through extreme risk protection orders. The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act allows family members and law enforcement to obtain a federal court order to temporarily … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Pass Critical Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
Rep. Vargas Votes to Pass Critical Gun Violence Prevention Legislation The Protecting Our Kids Act passed the House following deadly mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX WASHINGTON, D.C (June 8, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to pass a life-saving piece of gun violence legislation, which will save lives and prevent tragedies like the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas. “I’m proud to have voted for this landmark legislation that will … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Naming of Future Naval Destroyer USS Telesforo Trinidad
Rep. Vargas’ Statement on Announcement on Naming of Future Naval Destroyer USS Telesforo Trinidad WASHINGTON, D.C (May 19, 2022) — Congressmember Vargas released the following statement today after the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, announced a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named after Fireman 2nd Class Telesforo De La Cruz Trinidad, the first and only Filipino in the U.S. Navy to be awarded the Medal of Honor: “During Asian Pacific American … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Invest in Underfunded Workforce Development Programs
Rep. Vargas Votes to Invest in Underfunded Workforce Development Programs These investments will fill job openings with qualified workers, address supply chain issues, and lower costs for working families WASHINGTON, D.C (May 17, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022, which would invest in our nation’s workforce development programs and fill job openings with qualified workers. “In one year under President Biden’s … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Rep. Vargas Votes to Deliver Nearly $40 Billion in Aid to Ukraine
Rep. Vargas Votes to Deliver Nearly $40 Billion in Aid to Ukraine WASHINGTON, D.C (May 10, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to deliver $39.8 billion for critically needed resources as Ukraine continues to fight against brutal Russian forces. The Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act is robust funding package to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy. “I proudly voted to send additional military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine,” said … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
Rep. Vargas Delivers $11.7 Million to Local Projects in Government Funding Package
Rep. Vargas Delivers $11.7 Million to Local Projects in Government Funding Package WASHINGTON, D.C (March 9, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to secure $11.7 million for nine local community projects in the appropriations government funding package. These Community Project Funds will address the most pressing needs in California’s 51st Congressional District. “I’m incredibly proud to champion nearly $12 million in Community Project Funding for my district,” said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021
Vargas: Child Tax Credit Delivered Nearly $40 Million in Tax Cuts to California’s 51st District Families in October
SAN DIEGO, CA (November 16, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas highlighted a new report from the Joint Economic Committee today estimating that 82,000 Child Tax Credit monthly tax cuts were sent to families in California’s 51st Congressional District in October. A total of $32.9 million in tax cuts went back into the pockets of hardworking 51st District families. In California, 4,271,000 monthly tax cuts went to families in October, totaling $1.777 billion. The average tax cut was … Continue Reading
November 08, 2021
San Diego Democratic Congressional Delegation Applauds EPA’s Comprehensive Solution to Curb Tijuana River Valley Cross-Border Pollution
SAN DIEGO, CA (November 8, 2021) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51), Representative Mike Levin (CA-49), Representative Scott Peters (CA-52), and Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-53) released the following statements after the EPA announced its selection of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Projects. “I applaud the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) comprehensive solution released today. Communities have long been impacted by the transboundary flows crossing through the … Continue Reading
November 06, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas Votes to Create Millions of New Jobs, Rebuild America with Bipartisan Infrastructure Package
WASHINGTON, DC (November 5, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted to create millions of good-paying union jobs with a once-in-a-century investment in rebuilding infrastructure, including roads and bridges, transit, rail, clean drinking water and wastewater systems and high-speed broadband networks. "I'm proud to have voted for a bill that creates good-paying jobs and invests in our national infrastructure - our backbone for a strong economy," said Rep. Juan Vargas. "By … Continue Reading
November 04, 2021
Reps Vargas, Jacobs and Castro Requesting Department of Justice Investigation into U.S. Border Patrol “Shadow Units”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 4, 2021) - Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, urging them to investigate the allegations of “Shadow Units” or “Critical Incident Teams” within U.S. Border Patrol. These allegations were published in the San Diego Union-Tribune article, “Border Patrol has a ‘shadow police unit’ that protects agents when they kill, groups say,” on … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Opening a Diplomatic Facility in Jerusalem
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 3, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in response to a recent congressional hearing with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon: “I am encouraged by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon’s recent statement during a congressional hearing that in order to open a consulate in Jerusalem, the U.S. would need 'the consent of the host government.' As Jerusalem is Israel’s … Continue Reading
October 13, 2021
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Lifting of Restrictions at U.S. Land Ports of Entry
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 13, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security announced that vaccinated travelers from Mexico and Canada may enter the United States for non-essential purposes beginning in November: “The closure of the border to non-essential travel into the United States has had a devastating impact on our border communities. For more than a year-and-a-half, our border businesses have grappled with lost revenues, … Continue Reading
September 27, 2021
Representatives Vargas (CA-51) and Jacobs (CA-53) Send Letter to President Joe Biden Urging Him to Address the Treatment of Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico Border
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 27, 2021) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-53) released the following statement after sending a letter to President Joe Biden asking for an immediate halt of mass deportations of Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border and denouncing the inhumane and counterproductive treatment of the Haitian migrants and asylum-seekers. “We respectfully urge the immediate halt of the mass deportations of Haitians at our Southern border. The … Continue Reading