Press Releases
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
September 24, 2021
REP. VARGAS’ COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES AMENDMENT INCLUDED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after his amendment, the COVID-19 Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act of 2021, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment enables the President to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) authorities to further advance the production, acquisition, and distribution of medical supplies to help during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
REP. VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON PARLIAMENTARIAN'S DECISION ON BUDGET RECONCILATION BILL
Washington, DC (September 20, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement regarding the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision: “I am disappointed in the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision to exclude the proposal to create pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and essential workers. This proposal would have had a direct budget impact, yielding approximately $1.5 trillion over ten years in economic growth. I look forward to seeing the … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
REP. VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON BEN & JERRY’S BOYCOTT
San Diego, CA (August 5, 2021) - Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement regarding Ben & Jerry’s boycott. “Ben & Jerry's boycott of hundreds of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is concerning, as it aims to de-legitimize the Jewish state. At a time where four Arab countries have ended their decades long boycotts of, and signed peace agreements with Israel, Ben & Jerry's has decided to enact its own boycott on … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas Secures $115 Million in Federal Funding for California’s 51st District Community Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) secured approximately $115 million for Imperial County and San Diego County infrastructure, transit, environmental and transportation projects in California’s 51st Congressional District in the House-Approved Appropriations Package, H.R. 4502 - Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military … Continue Reading
July 12, 2021
REP VARGAS SECURES OVER $3.2 MILLION FOR SALTON SEA AND NEW RIVER IN HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE BILL
WASHINGTON, DC (July 12, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after he secured a combined total of $3,246,000 in the 2022 House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee bill for three different Imperial County Community Project Requests. Funding in the bill includes $2,546,000 for a major Salton Sea research project; $200,000 for the Salton Sea Feasibility Study; and $500,000 for planning and design phases for a potential New River restoration project. … Continue Reading
June 22, 2021
REP. VARGAS' STATEMENT ON ACTS OF RACISM AT LOCAL BASKETBALL GAME
San Diego, CA (June 22, 2021)— Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after reports of racist behavior at a local high school basketball game this weekend. "I was very saddened after reviewing videos showing local high school students participating in racist demonstrations after what should be a friendly match. This type of behavior has to stop. If these students walk away from this moment without being responsible for their actions, then we are also to blame … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
Rep. Vargas' Corporate Governance Improvement and Investor Protection Legislative Package Passes the House
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2021) — This week, the Corporate Governance Improvement and Investor Protection Act, legislation led by Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51), passed out of the House of Representatives. This bill is a Financial Services Committee legislative package that will encourage corporate environmental and social responsibility. Specifically, the legislative package's lead bill, H.R. 1187, the ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021 - drafted by Rep. Vargas - would … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
REP. VARGAS’ STATEMENT IN HONOR OF MEMORIAL DAY
Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day. "This Memorial Day we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and remember those who have served our country in the name of freedom and democracy. We also honor the families and communities they left behind. Every day our country is safe, and our children breathe free, is a day our servicemembers and veterans made possible. "Our … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
REP. VARGAS COVID-19 MEDICAL SUPPLIES BILL PASSES THE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2021)—Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement after his bipartisan bill, H.R. 3125 COVID-19 Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act of 2021, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill will support the President’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) authorities to further advance the production, acquisition, and distribution of medical supplies used to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The bill also provides guidance for FEMA to appoint … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Escalating Violence in the Middle East
Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East: “Hamas and Islamic Jihad have unleashed terror on Israel and its citizens. The illegal actions of these US-designated terrorist groups has brought termendous suffering to the Palestinian people. Any deaths from these events are the result of Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s illegal terroist acts. Israel, our strongest democratic ally in the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Rep. Vargas Introduces COVID-19 Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act of 2021
Washington, D.C. (May 12, 2021) -Rep. Vargas (CA-51) introduced the COVID-19 Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act, along with original cosponsor Rep. French Hill (AR-02). The bill will support the President’s use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) authorities to further advance the production, acquisition, and distribution of medical supplies used to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The bill also provides guidance for FEMA to appoint a civilian “Outreach Representative” to … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
VARGAS’ ESG DISCLOSURE SIMPLIFICATION ACT PASSES THE FINANCIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE
Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2021) - Representative Juan Vargas' (CA-51) secured the passage of his bill, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosure Simplification Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. The ESG Disclosure Simplification Act will require public companies to disclose certain environmental, social, and governance matters in annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ESG Disclosure Simplification … Continue Reading