Media

WASHINGTON, DC (December 5, 2018) – Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement endorsing Leader Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in the 116^th Congress. 

"I proudly endorse Leader Nancy Pelosi as the next Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives. As a steadfast voice of the American people, Nancy has proven her commitment to empowering the middle class and rebuilding our nation.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 25, 2018) – Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement today regarding the closure of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. 

"Today's unprecedented demonstration at the San Ysidro Port of Entry is a direct result of President Trump's failed leadership. His complete disregard for human rights, international law, and immigration law threatens the safety of federal officers and the millions of people that pass through the border region.

Washington, D.C. (September 14, 2018)— This week, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Thomas J. Rooney (FL-17), and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced H.R. 6801 Rare Disease (RaD) Fund Act of 2018. The legislation would authorize a pilot program that allows the U.S. Treasury Department to establish a privately owned and operated investment fund for rare disease therapeutics. This fund would address the ever-widening funding gap that currently exists between basic research and clinical development.

San Ysidro, CA. (August 15, 2018)—Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of PedEast at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. The new structure is the latest development of the Port's modernization project scheduled to be fully completed in 2019.

PedEast will add 22 pedestrian lanes to the existing 14 lanes at PedWest, increasing U.S. Customs and Border Protection's capacity of pedestrian inspection and cutting down individual wait times for the 20,000 that cross daily.

WASHINGTON, DC (July 26, 2018) – Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement today after the House voted to approve the National Defense Authorization Act. 

"I was proud to support the bipartisan defense bill that will bring necessary funds to the military installations across my district and the United States. The defense budget further provides for salary increases for our military personnel who selflessly serve our nation.

Washington, D.C. (June 27, 2018) -- Rep. Juan Vargas released this statement after the Supreme Court ruled against unions in the Janus v. AFSCME decision:

"The Supreme Court has delivered a devastating blow to working people in America. Unions are quintessentially American and critical in the fight for fair wages and worker protections. Today's decision is disappointing and its consequences will be damaging for workers across the country."

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Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2018)—Today, Rep. Juan Vargas' bipartisan bill, the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act of 2018 (H.R. 6069) passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill would require the Comptroller General of the United States to study how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex or drug trafficking and propose regulatory and legislative actions to put an end to these illicit activities.

San Diego, CA (June 18, 2018)– Today, Rep. Juan Vargas led Members of Congress on a visit to various immigration detention facilities in San Diego, including the Refugee Resettlement Office, Otay Mesa Detention Center, San Ysidro Port of Entry, and the Brown Field Border Patrol Station. Members of Congress in attendance included Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu, and 12 other Members from across the U.S..