Press Releases
Reps. Gallego, Bacon and Senators Padilla, Lankford Introduce Bill to Improve Urban Indian Health Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Urban Indian Health Providers Facilities Improvement Act to pave the way for increased investment in the renovation and construction of urban Indian health facilities.The Indian Health System, commonly referred to as the ITU system, is made up of the Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations (UIOs). UIOs … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Congressman Gallego Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd
PHONEIX, AZ - Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's murder and the fatal shooting of Dion Johnson in Arizona:"On the one year anniversary of the murders of George Floyd and Dion Johnson, my thoughts are with their families and loved ones, and with the families and loved ones of too many other Black Americans whose lives have been stolen."The nationwide protests last summer sparked a renewed national movement to combat police … Continue Reading
May 24, 2021
Congressman Gallego Introduces Universal Full Day Kindergarten Act
Washington, DC- Last week, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), along with Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), introduced the Universal Full-Day Kindergarten Act to ensure that every American child has access to high-quality full day kindergarten.There is overwhelming evidence that kindergarten programs improve academic outcomes, aid in kids' social and emotional development, and improve student active engagement, independent learning, and stress levels. This is … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
House Passes Gallego Veterans Package, including Gallego, Johnson, O’Halleran, and Cole Bill to Support Native Veterans Attending Tribal Colleges and Universities
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 2878, a legislative package to support Native American, student and homeless veterans which includes the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act, which was introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK).H.R. 2878 would connect Native veterans and their families to VA services and provide Native veterans … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Rep. Gallego to Host Vaccination Event this Saturday, May 15
PHOENIX, AZ - Rep. Ruben Gallego will host a vaccination and education event this Saturday, May 15th from 9 am until 3 pm at Carl Hayden Community High School, 3333 West Roosevelt St., Phoenix AZ, along with special guests UnidosUS, Embry Health, and Phoenix Union High School District. Attendees can get their questions about the vaccine answered and receive their first dose of the vaccine.Rep. Gallego will be available to answer questions from the media from 10 am until 11 am. Media who wish … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
House Passes Gallego and Young Bill to Protect Native American Children
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 1688, the Native American Child Protection Act introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK). The Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA) authorizes three programs aimed at ensuring that 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.If passed, the NACPA … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
ICYMI: House Veterans Affairs Committee Passes Reps. Gallego, Johnson, O’Halleran, Cole Bill to Support Native Veterans Attending Tribal Colleges and Universities
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the House Veterans Affairs Committee passed H.R. 2878, the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act. The bipartisan bill was reintroduced last week by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to connect Native veterans and their families to VA services and vocational support by expanding the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program to Tribal Colleges and Universities … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Reps. Gallego and Murphy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency and Reduce FOIA Request Backlog at VA
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) introduced the VA FOIA Reform Act to increase transparency at the Department of Veterans Affairs by addressing the VA's backlog of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The bill was included in a House Veterans Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations legislative hearing which occurred today.The bill would direct the Department to establish and carry out a plan to meet requirements of the … Continue Reading
April 16, 2021
Rep. Gallego Votes to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined 216 of his colleagues in the House in voting to pass H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, to strengthen the Equal Pay Act and ensure equal pay for equal work. Rep. Gallego released the following statement:"On average, an American woman who works full time makes just 82 cents for every dollar paid to a white, non-Hispanic man, adding up to more than $400,000 in lost income over the course of her career. This fundamental inequity in the … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Rep. Gallego Announces Support for President Biden’s Afghanistan Force Posture Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced his support for President Biden's announced intention to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington that led to U.S. military engagement in the country. Rep. Gallego released the following statement: "I fully support President Biden's plan to draw down our force posture Afghanistan. It has been 20 years since the attacks on September 11th, … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Reps. Gallego and Grijalva Lead Call to Restore and Expand Protections for Bears Ears National Monument
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Natural Resources Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva led 47 Members of Congress in sending a letter urging the Biden Administration to immediately restore the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument and to strongly consider expanding the Monument in line with the original proposal of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. After its designation as a National Monument in 2016, Bears Ears was slashed by illegal executive action under the Trump … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Six AZ-07 Health Care Centers to Receive Direct Vaccine Allocation for Underserved Communities
PHOENIX, AZ - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced that Wesley Community Center, Valle Del Sol, and Circle the City in Arizona's 7th District will be joining the Health Resources and Services Administration's Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program over the next six weeks. Valleywise Health, Adelante Healthcare, Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) and Mountain Park Health Center, all serving constituents in AZ-07, also recently secured inclusion in the program, which ensures … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Reps. Gallego and Young Re-Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Native American Children
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) reintroduced the Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA). This bipartisan legislation authorizes three programs aimed at ensuring that 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.The original version of these programs passed as part of then-Senator John McCain's Indian … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Rep. Gallego Votes to Pass Historic Fair Elections and Anti-Corruption Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) joined House Democrats to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping package of pro-democracy and clean elections reforms. Rep. Gallego released the following statement:"The For the People Act is a transformative bill that will strengthen and protect voting rights, safeguard every American's access to the polls, end the dominance of big money politics, and crack down on corruption in government."The 2020 election highlighted the immediate … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Rep. Gallego Votes to Pass George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) joined House Democrats to pass H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This bill is a bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement, and build and restore trust between law enforcement and our communities. Rep. Gallego issued the following statement:"Systemic racism has long shaped the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color - especially Black communities - in … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Reps. Gallego, Hayes, Houlahan, and Adams Introduce Legislation to Improve Diverse Teacher Recruitment and Retention
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), along with Reps. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Alma Adams (D-NC), reintroduced H.R. 1197, the Teacher Diversity and Retention Act, to invest in and expand the United States' diverse teacher workforce.This bill would authorize two grant programs to fortify teacher recruitment and training programs. The first would provide an infusion of funds for teacher training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Rep. Gallego Announces Hire of New Chief of Staff, Grisella M. Martinez
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced that Grisella M. Martinez will be joining his office as Chief of Staff."Grisella is a Capitol Hill veteran who brings years of policy expertise and skilled leadership to our team," Rep. Gallego said. "I look forward to working with her on behalf of the people of Arizona's 7th District."Prior to joining Rep. Gallego's office, Grisella served as Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters, where … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Gallego, McCaul, Kaptur, Kinzinger Request Information on Nord Stream 2 Sanctions
Washington, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined House Foreign Affairs Lead Republican Michael McCaul, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken to request a briefing on the Biden Administration's implementation plan for mandatory sanctions on the malign Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. "If completed, Nord Stream 2 would enable the Putin regime to further weaponize Russia's energy resources to exert … Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
Rep. Gallego Selected to Chair New Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Armed Services Committee selected Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) to Chair its new Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations (ISO). The new subcommittee will have jurisdiction over Department of Defense (DoD) policy and programs and accounts related to military intelligence, national intelligence, countering weapons of mass destruction, counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, other sensitive military operations, and special operations forces. Rep. … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Rep. Gallego Statement on Secretary Austin’s Order Allowing Transgender Troops to Serve Openly
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement:"Our Union is more perfect today following the announcement that Secretary Austin has rid the Pentagon of unnecessary and bigoted efforts to ban transgender servicemembers from our armed forces."Transgender troops are already serving honorably, with zero negative impact on effectiveness, unit cohesion, or readiness. Some of our most impressive officers and enlisted personnel are transgender - I know because I had the … Continue Reading