Rep. Vargas Leads Efforts to Fund Crucial Programs

Press Release

Today, Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) led and supported funding efforts to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.

The following is a list of some of the requests Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to push for funding:

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Supported $6.68 billion in funding for the supplemental Nutrition Program.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Supported $320 million in funding with an additional adjustment for food price inflation for TEFAP commodity purchases. Also supported $100 million for TEFAP storage and food distribution.

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI): Requested $30 million for the HSI program at the National Science Foundation, $40 million for the Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Institutional (HSACU) Capacity-Building Grant program, $10 million for the HSACU Endowment Fund, and $40 million for the Title VII -- HSI Grant program.

Alfalfa Forage and Research: Requested $3 million for the high priority research and extensions initiative.

Childhood Hunger in the Summer: Supported $50 million of funding to provide meals for students during the summer.

The Army Corp of Engineers' Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Account: Requested an increase in funding for programs that tackle the devastating effects of El Niño.

Salton Sea Funding: Supported the request of $300,000 for the Bureau of Reclamations' Salton Sea Research Project.

"I want my constituents to have access to benefits that will help them thrive, furthering their education, living in a healthy environment, and having nutritious food available," said Rep. Vargas. "Funding these crucial programs will give everyone in the 51st district a chance at a brighter future."

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