Press Releases
VARGAS APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2021) Rep. Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the House passage of the American Rescue Plan. President Biden's comprehensive legislative package will deliver immediate relief to working individuals and support communities struggling with the economic fallout. "Over Tens of millions of Americans have been infected. Earlier this week, we surpassed a horrific half-million deaths due to COVID-19. Additionally, our nation is experiencing an … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Rep. Vargas' Legislation Encourages Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility
Washington, D.C. (February 26, 2021) -Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets held a virtual hearing entitled, “Climate Change and Social Responsibility: Helping Corporate Boards and Investors Make Decisions for a Sustainable World," where Rep. Vargas’ bill, the ESG Disclosure Simplification Act was heard. Last week, Rep. … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
REPS. VARGAS AND GARCIA INTRODUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE SIMPLIFICATION ACT
Washington, D.C. (February 19, 2021) - Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) introduced the ESG Disclosure Simplification Act which will require public companies to disclose certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters in annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ESG Disclosure Simplification Act will also require public companies to disclose a description of the company’s views on the link between ESG … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Reps. Vargas, Takano, and Grijalva Introduce Comprehensive Legislative Package to Prevent the Deportation of Veterans
San Diego, CA (February 18, 2021)- Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), House Committee of Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41), and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-3) reintroduced?the Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act to prevent noncitizen veterans from being deported, improve tracking of noncitizen veterans in immigration proceedings, and bring certain eligible deported veterans back home. This bill was originally introduced in the 116th Congress. "Our country must reform … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas’ Provision Included in Budget Reconciliation Package to Fund Additional Covid-19 Medical Supplies
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) provision was included in the Financial Services Committee (FSC) budget reconciliation package for President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The provision will provide $10 billion in additional appropriations for the Defense Production Act (DPA). The DPA contains a set of sweeping and powerful authorities that the Biden Administration can use in times of national emergency. Specifically, these authorities may be used to fund … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas Tribal Housing Assistance Provision Included in Financial Services Committee Budget Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas' (CA-51) provision was included in the Financial Services Committee (FSC) budget reconciliation package for President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The provision will appropriate a total of $750 million towards tribal nations’ affordable housing and self-determined housing activities, Native Hawaiian housing, and community development for tribal nations. "Native Americans are dying of COVID-19 at a faster rate than any other … Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
REPS. VARGAS AND AGUILAR INTRODUCE THE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR DREAMERS ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 3, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), along with Rep. Aguilar (CA-31), introduced the Homeownership for Dreamers Act. The legislation will ensure that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries, or Dreamers, are eligible for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) home loans, home loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and Rural Housing home loans. Due to the lack of clarity surrounding DACA recipients’ eligibility under the Trump … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas' Statement on Immigration Day Executive Actions
Washington, DC (February 2, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement on President Biden’s immigration-related executive orders: "I commend President Biden on making immigration one of his top priorities. Today's executive actions will help reunify families, help address the root causes of migration, and help restore faith in our legal immigration system. "However, while President Biden's immigration executive orders are a step in the right … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ STATEMENT ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2021) - Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement in recognition of Black History Month: “February, Black History Month, is a time to reaffirm our support for black communities who continue fighting to end systematic racism. This month, I honor local leaders who uplift our communities. I remember heroes like Dr. King, Rosa Parks, and my friend, John Lewis, who contributed to some of the best lessons on courage and perseverance. I … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Rep. Vargas Introduces Promoting Access to Credit for Homebuyers Act for Low to Middle-Income Individuals
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 28, 2021) Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced the Promoting Access to Credit for Homebuyers Act to help low to middle-income individuals access mortgage credit throughout the pandemic. The current economic environment has caused multiple homeowners to request forbearance on their mortgages. The legislation would require Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) not to take into account borrowers’ forbearance requests or … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
REPS. VARGAS AND RUIZ INTRODUCE CALIFORNIA NEW RIVER RESTORATION ACT IN 117TH CONGRESS
Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2021) — Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) recommitted to combating cross-border pollution by introducing the California New River Restoration Act along with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). Their legislation will require the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the California New River Restoration Program. "We need to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of existing conservation efforts by … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Reps. Vargas and Aguilar Commend HUD for Making DACA Recipients Eligible for FHA Loan
Washington, DC (January 22, 2021) — This week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program beneficiaries are eligible for mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), reversing a Trump Administration policy that made DACA recipients ineligible for the program. The decision comes after Reps. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Pete Aguilar (CA-31) led several efforts urging Secretary Ben Carson and HUD to … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Rep. Vargas Statement on Historical Inauguration of President Biden and Vice-President Harris
Washington, DC (January 20, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement on the historical inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris: "This is a White House that cares and works for ALL Americans, no matter where they came from, what they look like, or who they love. I trust that the new administration will do everything in their power to guide us to be more united and put the American People first. Today, we welcome integrity and true … Continue Reading
January 15, 2021
REP. VARGAS DEMANDS TRUMP TO IMMEDIATELY STOP BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION AT FRIENDSHIP PARK
Washington, DC (January 15, 2021) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after sending a letter, along with Reps. Levin (CA-49) and Jacobs (CA-53), demanding that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stop border wall construction at Friendship Park. "Today, I sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding that they halt border wall construction projects at Friendship Park. The President should be … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Reps. Vargas and Ruiz’s Salton Sea Project Included in Water Resources Legislation
Washington, DC (December 8, 2020) - Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) which contains a section authored by Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to strengthen the federal, state, and local partnership at the Salton Sea. This provision was also included in an earlier version of WRDA passed in July of this year. Included in S. 1811 is an authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to take the … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
REP. JUAN VARGAS’ FIND TRAFFICKING ACT INCLUDED IN NDAA
Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2020)— The House and Senate have agreed to include Rep. Vargas’ (CA-51) bill, H.R. 502 Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act, in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, can be used for legal purchases. However, the anonymity associated with virtual currencies has led them to become a preferred financial payment method for criminal organizations. “I'm pleased that my bill, the FIND … Continue Reading
November 23, 2020
Rep. Vargas Named Conferee to National Defense Authorization Act Conference for Fiscal Year 2021
Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2020) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Rep. Vargas (CA-51) to serve on a conference committee of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). NDAA conferees from the House and Senate will work together to resolve the key differences between the two defense authorization bills passed by each chamber this summer. "I'm honored to serve in a committee that aims to ensure that the National Defense Authorization Act puts people first," said Rep. Vargas. … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Rep. Vargas Cosponsors Salton Sea Public Health and Environmental Protection Act
Washington, DC (November 19, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after joining Rep. Ruiz (CA-36) as an original cosponsor of H.R. 8775, the Salton Sea Public Health and Environmental Protection Act. The legislation would bring significant federal funding to the Salton Sea while streamlining projects; increasing coordination between local, state, and federal officials; and holding federal agencies accountable to their commitments at the Salton Sea. “I am … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Rep. Vargas' Statement on Court Ruling DHS Secretary's DACA Rules Invalid and Unlawful
Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2020) - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after a federal judge ruled that Chad Wolf was unlawfully appointed as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting secretary. Subsequently, DHS lacked the authority to limit DACA applications and renewals. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). "I’m not … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Chicano Park Selected by National Park Service to be Surveyed and Recognized as Affiliated Area
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2020)— The National Park Service (NPS) will undertake a reconnaissance survey to recognize the national significance of Chicano Park and its murals as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This comes after a hearing on Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51)’s legislation H.R. 484, the Chicano Park Preservation Act of 2019 in front of the U.S. of House Representative’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands hearing on Oct. 29, 2019. The bill … Continue Reading