Press Releases
Washington, DC (June 25, 2014) –The entire San Diego Congressional Delegation praised the House Appropriations Committee for approving $216 million for the San Ysidro Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion Project in the Financial Services and General Government Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2014) –Today, before the House Committee on Rules, Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) is introducing an amendment to H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comparative financial analysis, including expected cost savings, of West Coast homebasing options for the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35). Currently, Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro and Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore are being considered.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2014) –As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) attended today's hearing on "The Future of U.S.–Mexico Relations." During the hearing, he discussed the importance of funding the Calexico Port of Entry infrastructure project with U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson. Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the Committee hearing:
WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2014) – Today, Rep.
EL CENTRO, CA (May 12, 2014) – Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted retired Colonel and renowned NASA Astronaut Edward Michael "Mike" Fincke at Southwest High School in El Centro. Col. Fincke spoke with more than 1,000 middle school students and 800 high school students from the Imperial Valley about his spaceflight experiences as an astronaut and the importance of studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
WASHINGTON, DC (May 9, 2014) – Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is a proud original cosponsor of The Military Opportunities for Mothers (MOM) Act, introduced by Rep. Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) and Rep. Kristi Noem (SD-at-Large), which would help millions of military mothers by extending maternity leave for active duty women from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. The legislation will align access to maternity leave for female Service Members with the minimum requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
WASHINGTON, DC (May 9, 2014) – Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging Secretary Jeh Johnson to approve California's proposed design for licenses issued to state residents who cannot show proof of citizenship or authorized presence. The letter authored by Rep. Vargas, and signed by 18 other Members of the California delegation, is in direct response to DHS' unfounded rejection of the design submitted.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2014) – In his continued effort to fight for the release of former U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from La Mesa Penitentiary in Tijuana, Mexico, Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA-51) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday urging the Department of State to take a more active role in the case. Last week, Rep. Vargas contacted the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, Mexico, who responded to his inquiry earlier today. In addition, Rep. Vargas will send a letter, led by Rep.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 1, 2014) – Earlier this year, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) led the charge in securing funding for three main veterans projects, all of which were included in yesterday's House passed Fiscal Year 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill. Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the bill passed on the House Floor.
WASHINGTON, DC (April 30, 2014) –Earlier this year, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development and Credit requesting a hearing to examine the impact of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on cattle producers in the Western States, especially California. Today, Rep. Vargas released the following statement after the Subcommittee held the hearing.