Rep. Vargas Stands with the Biden Administration in the Creation of Humanitarian Corridors in Gaza
Media Contact: Anzueth Barela | (202) 225-8045 | Anzueth.Barela@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2023) — Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), serving on the House Financial Services committee, issued the following statement in support of the Biden Administration's creation of Humanitarian Corridors in Gaza:
"I support Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis continue to plan calculated and ruthless attacks on Israel, and they should be exposed for what they are: terrorists. Hamas consistently violates international law by embedding rockets, explosives, and other weapons in densely populated areas, such as schools, community centers, hospitals, and mosques. Hamas has effectively been holding the Palestinian people hostage with corruption, deception, and brutality. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid from the Palestinian people for years.
"I stand with the overwhelming majority in the Democratic Caucus who applaud President Biden for negotiating the creation of humanitarian corridors, enabling the Palestinian people to flee Hamas' terror and receive the aid they desperately need. I applaud the administration for providing a $100 Million aid package to affected Palestinian civilians through USAID and the Department of State. Additionally, I support Israel’s decision, at the request of the administration, to set up a daily 4-hour humanitarian pause. This enables critical aid to reach the Gaza Strip through corridors and prevent it from being intercepted by the terrorist hands of Hamas and its leaders. Lastly, I support the administration’s efforts to work with the UN, Israel, and Egypt to send life-saving assistance into Gaza, where trusted partners are ready to distribute it to those in need.”
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Congressman Vargas represents California’s 52nd Congressional District which includes portions of San Diego County, and a portion of California’s U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his sixth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.