Press Releases
Gallego Addresses Arizona Physician Shortage, Calls for More Residency Positions in the State
PHOENIX, AZ - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) held a press conference at The University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, to discuss Arizona’s pressing physician shortage and his work to address it. “No one should worry about finding a doctor when they need care. But a shortage of doctors has left one in five Valley residents unsure how they will get care. In rural areas, like Santa Cruz or La Paz County, it’s even worse. Two in every five rural Arizonans say healthcare … Continue Reading
June 24, 2023
Gallego Statement on the Dobbs Anniversary
PHOENIX, AZ - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) released the following statement marking one year since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. “One year ago, out of touch conservatives on the Supreme Court stripped Arizona women of their right to access a safe, legal abortion. Ever since the unprecedented decision came down, extremist Republicans have been ignoring the preferences of the vast majority of Americans and working to implement a nationwide, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Gallego Cosponsors Bipartisan Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) signed on to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that all federal law enforcement officers get their full retirement benefits. “Because of a loophole in current law, tens of thousands of hardworking federal officers are not receiving fair pay and retirement benefits. I’m proud to sign on to this bipartisan legislation that will finally ensure law enforcement officers from across the federal government … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Gallego, Stanton Announce $13.3 Million Federal Grant for Valley Metro Zero-Emission Bus Initiative
PHOENIX, AZ — Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Greg Stanton (AZ-04) today announced a $13,295,699 grant from the Federal Transit Administration for Valley Metro to purchase zero-emission buses and necessary infrastructure. The funding comes after the Congressmen advocated on Valley Metro’s behalf to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in March of this year. “Thanks to our historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are excited to see these new buses hit Valley streets, soon,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Gallego Approves NDAA out of Armed Services Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), a Marine Corps combat veteran and ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, voted today to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes key provisions authored and championed by Rep. Gallego. “I am proud to advance this year’s NDAA, which supports our troops here at home, stands up to Russia and China, and prepares our Armed Forces for potential … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Gallego Cheers FCC Rule Requiring TV Providers to Show Their Full Prices Up Front
Washington, DC - Yesterday, the White House announced a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed rule that would require cable and satellite providers to show the full price of their services upfront, with no hidden fees. In 2019, Consumer Reports found that added fees increase TV provider bills by 24%. “This is an important step by the FCC to increase transparency,” said Rep. Gallego. “But we need to go further to eliminate all hidden fees, including cancellation fees. That … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Gallego Calls FEMA Shelter Funding Distribution ‘Misguided,’ Requests the Agency Support Border Communities
PHOENIX, AZ - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell urging the agency to reconsider its funding allocations for the Shelter Services Program (SSP) to better support Arizona’s border communities. The SSP was funded as part of the FY23 Consolidated Appropriations Act to provide shelter and related services to non-citizen migrants released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody. The letter … Continue Reading
June 17, 2023
Rep. Ruben Gallego Announces $40.6 Million for Phoenix Head Start
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) today announced $40,600,307 in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support Head Start projects in Phoenix. "Investing in our children's early education is an investment in our future, and I am thrilled to announce these dollars for the City of Phoenix," said Rep. Gallego. "The grant will advance education opportunity and create pathways for success. These funds are key to driving positive change for countless … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Gallego Announces $30 Million to Expand Internet Access in Pima County
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced $30,281,277 in grant funding from BroadBandUSA, the Department of Commerce’s digital inclusion program, to expand internet access in Pima County. "Adequate access to broadband is not only essential for strong economic development, but for ensuring all communities in Arizona have access to the same opportunities in the digital age. Expanding connectivity in Pima County will improve lives and make sure all Arizonans have … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Gallego Statement on SCOTUS Upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), a member and former chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, released the following statement lauding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act in Haaland v. Brackeen. Statement from Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03): “Today’s Supreme Court decision reaffirmed the foundational policy that the United States must respect Tribal sovereignty and uphold its obligations to … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Gallego Applauds Companies for Eliminating Hidden, Junk Fees
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the White House announced Live Nation, AirBnB, SeatGeek, and other companies will voluntarily provide upfront, no hidden fee pricing on their platforms. Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), the sponsor of the Junk Fee Prevention Act, applauded the move. “Arizonans should never be stuck with hidden fees, and today’s announcement that major companies are stepping up to increase price transparency is a big win for consumers. Lowering costs for working families is one … Continue Reading
June 14, 2023
Gallego, Slotkin Introduce Legislation to Stop Big Pharma Price Gouging
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) introduced the Lower Drug Costs for Families Act. The bill would hold Big Pharma accountable for price gouging by requiring drug companies to pay a penalty if they raise prices faster than inflation. “For years, Arizonans have been struggling to afford prescription drug prices that have skyrocketed far above inflation,” said Rep. Gallego. “With the historic Inflation Reduction Act, we were able to put an end … Continue Reading
June 08, 2023
Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Declare Extreme Heat Emergencies
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the bipartisan Extreme Heat Emergency Act to add extreme heat to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) list of major disaster qualifying events. “Every summer, we are experiencing hotter and longer heat waves in the Valley,” said Rep. Gallego. “Despite the too often deadly effects of this heat, Arizonans are left to deal with the impacts themselves, and it is … Continue Reading
June 07, 2023
Gallego Slams Merck for Lawsuit to Block Drug Price Negotiations
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), released the following statement in reaction to the pharmaceutical company Merck filing a lawsuit to halt the U.S. government’s ability to negotiate drug prices for Medicare recipients. “Merck’s attempt to torpedo Medicare drug negotiation is shameless and a desperate attempt to protect its profits at the expense of patients’ health and hard-earned taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Gallego. “For decades, Arizonans have been forced to pay … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Gallego, DeGette, Cantwell Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Protect America’s National Forests
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee; Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01); and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reintroduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act. The bill would permanently protect millions of acres of America's national forests by making the Roadless Rule the law of the land. “Preserving our national forests provides numerous benefits, from combating climate change to supporting the tourism economy, reducing wildfire risk, … Continue Reading
May 24, 2023
Gallego Introduces Legislation to Stop Wall Street Water Price Gouging
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) introduced the Drought Related Overpricing Prevention (DROP) Act to stop outside investors from buying up scarce Western water and selling it at excess prices. “Shadowy Wall Street firms are more regularly buying up Arizona water rights as if they are a business opportunity rather than a lifeline for our communities,” said Rep. Gallego. “To them, Arizona’s water crisis is nothing more than a chance to line their pockets at the expense of … Continue Reading
May 22, 2023
Gallego Applauds Colorado River Agreement; Recommits to Ending Arizona’s Water Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), a member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, applauded the announcement that the seven Colorado River Basin states have agreed to the submission of a Lower Basin, consensus-based system conservation proposal. “I commend our state’s water managers and negotiators for finalizing a deal that protects the Colorado River system, said Rep. Gallego. “Thanks to their efforts, Arizona will have a more … Continue Reading
May 19, 2023
Gallego, Duarte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Spur Water Technology Investments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Rep. John Duarte (CA-13) today introduced the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Modernization Act. The bill creates federal grant programs to increase investments and use of smart water technologies. “We need to attack our Western water crisis on multiple fronts. That means utilizing innovative technologies to keep our state’s water loss to a minimum,” said Rep. Gallego. “Our bipartisan bill does just that by working to increase use of smart … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Gallego, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Veterans’ Disability Pay
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced the bipartisan Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act, legislation that protects veterans who receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from having their separation pay unfairly recouped. “When our servicemembers transition back to civilian life, they should never be asked to cut a check in order to receive the VA benefits they’ve earned,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego. “The … Continue Reading
May 17, 2023
PASSED: House Natural Resources Committee Approves Gallego’s Bipartisan Native American Child Protection Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) celebrated the House Natural Resource Committee’s passage of his bipartisan Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA). The legislation reauthorizes and revises programs that ensure Tribes have the tools they need to treat, prevent, investigate, and prosecute instances of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Native American children and families. “I know that breaking the cycle of violence requires a … Continue Reading