Press Releases
Washington, D.C.– (March 20, 2018) Rep. Juan Vargas is leading the effort to request full funding for Phase 2 of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) reconfiguration and expansion project. This funding will ensure the completion of the final phase of the project while promoting trade, commerce, and security along the U.S.-Mexico border. If this $276 million funding request is approved, Rep. Vargas will have secured more than $800 million in funding for border infrastructure in his district since taking office in 2013.
Washington, D.C.– (March 19, 2018) Rep. Juan Vargas is leading a bipartisan effort to request funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) U.S. – Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program and the EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs, which supports vital programs such as the Border 2020 environmental program. These programs are integral to making improvements on both sides of the border to protect public health and improve wastewater infrastructure.
Washington, D.C. (February 22, 2018)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) secured a victory for low-income retired service members whose military retiree payments were being levied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). After Rep. Vargas sent a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen urging that the IRS reverse course on this policy, the IRS agreed to apply a low-income filter to military retiree payments subject to the Federal Payment Levy Program.
Washington, D.C. (January 19, 2018)—Rep. Vargas released this statement after the Trump government shutdown:
Washington, D.C. (January 10, 2018)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released this statement after Rep. Darrell Issa announced his decision to retire from Congress:
"Representative Darrell Issa has served the people of Orange and San Diego County in Congress for nearly two decades. We may have not always agreed, but he has always been a friend. I wish him the very best in his retirement. "
Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2017)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released this statement after Republicans passed their tax bill in the House:
"Republicans in Congress passed a tax plan that will raise taxes for 86 million families to give massive tax cuts to the richest 1% of Americans and big corporations. This is not real tax reform, this is a tax scam.
Washington, D.C.—Rep. Juan Vargas released this statement on President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:
"Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and since 1995 Congress has repeatedly reaffirmed that fact. The United States must continue to support Israel while also promoting direct, bilateral negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the hopes that they will lead to peace and security in the region."
Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2017)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released this statement after House Republicans passed their tax plan, which will raise taxes for 36 million middle class families:
"House Republicans passed a tax proposal that raises taxes on millions of working Americans to pay for tax cuts for the rich and corporations.
Washington, DC (November 9, 2017) – Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) introduced the Wounded Warrior Housing Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 4315), a bipartisan bill that would improve veterans' access to housing assistance programs.
San Diego, CA (October 17, 2017)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted a panel discussion on Combating Sex Trafficking. The panel discussion on how to combat sex trafficking in our communities included special guest California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and panelists San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Maggy Krell, Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition Director Marisa Ugarte, and a reintegrated survivor of sex trafficking.