Press Releases
Reps. Gallego, O’Halleran, Rice and Senators Kelly, Sinema Introduce Bipartisan and Bicameral Legislation to Prevent Abuse at Residential Facilities
WASHINGTON, DC -Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC), and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced the Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Americans Act, legislation aimed at improving the quality of care for residents living at Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs). ICFs/IID are long-term care facilities that serve individuals with developmental or intellectual … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Gallego Celebrates Wins for Arizonans and all Americans in FY 2023 Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) issued the following statement today following passage of H.R. 8294, a spending package including six key FY 2023 Appropriations bills - Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior and Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs: "This year’s funding package reflects the Democratic majority’s commitment to … Continue Reading
July 15, 2022
Gallego Votes to Protect Reproductive Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted for H.R. 8296, the Women’s Health Protection Act and H.R. 8297, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. “While Republicans in Arizona and across the country push ahead with a full-bore attack on reproductive rights, Democrats in Congress have stood firm in our fight for the health and safety of women,” said Rep. Gallego. “For the GOP, success means jailing doctors providing abortions and forcing women and girls to … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Gallego Celebrates House Passage of FY2023 NDAA
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including key provisions proposed by Rep. Gallego. Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: “I am proud to join my colleagues in passing the NDAA with bipartisan support. This bill includes several of my provisions, including funding supporting the security of our Baltic allies and language pushing the Department of Defense to properly … Continue Reading
July 13, 2022
WATCH: Gallego Stands Up for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) spoke on the House floor in support of the Honoring our PACT Act. Rep. Gallego’s remarks as delivered: Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Honoring our PACT Act, an overdue, desperately needed legislation providing care for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving their country. I am especially grateful for the provisions of this bill that provide health care to veterans harmed by burn … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Gallego Votes to Protect Children and Families from Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted to support the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, historic, bipartisan legislation that takes steps to protect American children, schools, and communities from gun violence. “For 30 years, the gun lobby and their allies in Congress have stymied all efforts to combat America’s gun violence epidemic, even after tragedies like Columbine, Sandy Hook, Buffalo and Uvalde,” said Rep. Gallego. “But leaders like Senator Chris Murphy have … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
STATEMENT: Gallego on the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that overturns federal constitutional protections for the right to obtain an abortion. Statement from Rep. Ruben Gallego: "Today, I am enraged - as many of you are. For nearly 50 years, the United States has protected the right to a safe, legal abortion. But today the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court, hellbent on … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Gallego Votes to Support the FY2023 NDAA
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), a Marine Corps combat veteran and Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, voted today to support the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which includes key provisions authored and championed by Rep. Gallego. “Russia’s invasion of a sovereign country, increased pressure from China, and evolving threats and challenges globally underscore the need for the United States … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Gallego Votes to Lower the Prices of Food and Fuel
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted to support H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act. The package of bipartisan bills seeks to lower prices at grocery stores and as the gas pump by supporting American ranchers and farmers. “With corporate price gouging impacting families across the country, House Democrats are yet again taking action to ease the pain of these rising costs,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego. “Thanks to the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, America’s … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Gallego Applauds Senate Passage of the Honoring our PACT Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) lauded the U.S. Senate for passing the Honoring our PACT Act, which provides VA healthcare and benefits to all generations of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. “In Iraq, it wasn’t my choice to sleep next to a burn pit. Now, more than 15 years later, veterans like me are dying or going bankrupt paying for the care the VA denies them. It is the duty of the United States to take care of our service members. We asked them to risk their … Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
Gallego Statement on the 10-Year Anniversary of DACA
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement marking the 10-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement: “Ten years ago, President Obama took a bold step forward in the fight for a fairer, more compassionate immigration system. In the decade since, DACA has protected hundreds of thousands of young people. For the 60,000 DACA recipients who call Arizona … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
STATEMENTS: Gallego and Davids Applaud the IRS for Increasing the 2022 Optional Standard Mileage Rate Deduction
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03) today cheered Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig for adjusting the 2022 optional standard mileage rate used to deduct the cost of operating an automobile for business purposes to 62.5 cents a mile, up from 58.5 cents. This decision comes weeks after the lawmakers sent a letter to the revenue service urging the IRS to act quickly to increase the 2022 rates. Click here to read the … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Gallego Votes to Support Red Flag Law Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted today to support H.R. 2377, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which establishes an extreme risk protection order procedure, also known as a “red flag” law, for the federal court system. The bill also incentivizes states to adopt red flag laws. Red flag laws allow family members and law enforcement officers to petition a federal court for an extreme risk protection order to temporarily remove access to firearms for an … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Gallego Votes to Protect Americans from Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted today to support the historic Protecting Our Kids Act, a package of gun safety bills that seek to curb America’s gun violence epidemic. “It is unconscionable that our nation has allowed the epidemic of gun violence to exist for this long. House Democrats will not wait around, and today we approved meaningful solutions to put an end to these shootings,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego. “Over the past month, America has experienced unspeakable … Continue Reading
June 06, 2022
ICYMI: Gallego Talks Baltic Trip, Finland Joining NATO
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego, co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus and chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, recently led a trip to the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as Finland—who is currently seeking NATO membership. Upon his return, Rep. Gallego spoke to the Arizona Republic about the delegation trip and Finland’s bid to join NATO. Find the full story below. *** Arizona Republic: Gallego talks … Continue Reading
June 01, 2022
Gallego, Bacon Introduce Legislation to Recognize Century of Diplomatic Relations with Baltic Allies
WASHINGTON D.C. - Following a recent trip to the region, Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Don Bacon (NE-02), Co-Chairs of the House Baltic Caucus, introduced H.Res. 1142 to commemorate the United States’ diplomatic recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. A century ago, the United States made the momentous decision to formally recognize the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from Soviet Russia following the end … Continue Reading
May 27, 2022
Gallego Announces Over $7 Million in Funding to Improve Rail Infrastructure Safety in Phoenix
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) proudly announced $7,084,656 in competitive grant funding for the City of Phoenix to improve two railroad crossings at 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road and 19th Avenue and McDowell Road. The funding will allow the city to install gate arms, signals, and make road upgrades to the sidewalk for Americans with Disability Act compliance. “As Phoenix continues to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety, these federal funds will be incredibly helpful,” said … Continue Reading
May 24, 2022
Gallego Statement on Recommendations Released by Base Naming Commission
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Base Naming Commission issued a formal announcement of their recommendations regarding the renaming of nine military installations that were previously named in commemoration of military leaders who served the Confederate States of America. Rep. Gallego helped champion the creation of the Base Naming Commission in the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act to finally remove the names of traitors from U.S. military installations. Following announcement of … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Gallego Votes to Act on Big Oil Price Gouging
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) voted to pass H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, a bill that cracks down on price gouging and excessive price increases by oil company CEOs. Rep. Gallego’s vote builds on his continued efforts to provide Arizonans relief at the gas pump. Earlier this week, Rep. Gallego led a letter to the IRS calling on the agency to increase the 2022 optional standard mileage rate used to deduct the cost of operating an automobile for … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Gallego, O’Halleran Lead Arizona Delegation in Letter Requesting EPA Fund Alternative Technologies to Secure Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) today led a letter with members of the Arizona congressional delegation requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) utilize alternative water sources such as distributed drinking water technologies to increase access to drinking water in traditionally underserved communities. The letter states: Since 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) has protected the health and safety of many Americans through … Continue Reading