Press Releases
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Passage of National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) released the following statement:"I am proud to have led several efforts that are a part of this year's NDAA and that I hope will soon become law."For the second year, I am proud to have led the effort to recommit the United States to maintaining a robust military presence in South Korea for the foreseeable future, in order to preserve peace and stability in … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Calls for Impeachment Inquiry
WASHINGTON, DC - This morning, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) called for the House of Representatives to open an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.Video of the Congressman's floor speech can be found here.Rep. Gallego's remarks, as prepared:"Mr. Speaker,"No president in the history of our country has ever been subject to as many credible allegations of illegal conduct as Donald Trump."Given the serious nature of these crimes and the President's refusal to cooperate with Congressional … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Reps. Gallego, Cohen, and Espaillat & Senator Markey Introduce Legislation to Improve Safety, Accessibility for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Public Transit Users
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Complete Streets Act, legislation that would promote safer and more accessible transportation routes across the United States.A "complete street" is one designed to provide safe and accessible transportation options for multiple modes of travel, as well as for people of all ages and abilities. "Complete streets" can accommodate pedestrians, … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Supreme Court Census Question Decision
WASHINGTON, DC - This morning, the Supreme Court issued a decision ruling that the Trump administration's explanation for the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census as "contrived," effectively preventing the question's inclusion in the survey. In response, President Trump tweeted his intent to "delay the Census, no matter how long" in order for the administration to come up with better reasons to include this harmful question on the 2020 Census.Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Celebrates More Wins for Arizona in FY 2020 Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement following passage of five key FY 2020 Appropriations bills - Commerce-Justice-Science, Agriculture-Related Agencies, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-HUD:"For years, a Republican Congress neglected the health, well-being and financial security of the American people. With Democrats in the majority, we're now back on the right track," said Rep. Gallego. "These investments in our … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Developments with Iran
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement in response to reports that President Trump had approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing an American drone but pulled back, against the advice of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton:"War should always be a last resort, and war with Iran is no different. That's why it's so troubling that we have come so close to it at the direction of some of the exact same … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Celebrates Wins for Arizona in FY 2020 Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement today following passage of four key FY 2020 Appropriations bills - Labor-HHS-Education, Energy and Water Development, State-Foreign Operations, and Defense:"I'm proud that our Democratic majority is passing measures that will greatly benefit hardworking Arizonans and all Americans now and in the future," Rep. Gallego said. "These investments in our communities will help provide equal access to quality education and … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
HASC Approves NDAA with Gallego Provision to Require DoD Report Regarding Disciplinary Action Following the Niger Ambush Investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - Early this morning, the House Armed Services Committee approved the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision authored by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that will require the Department of Defense to submit a report to Congress containing a list of the awards and disciplinary action taken by the Department as a result of the investigation into the Niger ambush in 2018."The Soldiers that were sent to their deaths in Niger, and their surviving comrades, were … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Reps. Ruben Gallego and Ann Kirkpatrick Applaud Full Funding for the A-10 Warthog in the FY2020 Defense Authorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Early this morning, the House Armed Services Committee passed the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which will fully fund the A-10 Warthog program. If signed into law, this authorization will ensure that the A-10 - which for decades has provided exceptional close-air support to troops on the ground - will continue its mission.In 2017, the Air Force told Congress that nearly half of the A-10 fleet was at risk of being permanently grounded unless funding was provided to … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
HASC Approves NDAA with Gallego Provision to Limit DOD’s Authority to Reprogram Military Construction Funds
WASHINGTON, DC - Early this morning, the House Armed Services Committee approved the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision authored by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that will limit the Department of Defense's authority to repurpose funds that were designated for military construction.The provision will cap national emergency military construction authority at $500,000,000 per emergency and tighten the ability to waive other provisions of law in carrying out the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
HASC Approves Gallego Amendment to Require a National Guard Readiness Briefing re: Natural Disasters and WMDs
WASHINGTON, DC - Late last night, the House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to provide a briefing to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on National Guard readiness and ability to meet modern threats from area disasters and weapons of mass destruction."The United States is facing ever-evolving threats from wide-area natural … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Launches New Veterans Health Survey in Arizona’s 7th District
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) invited thousands of veterans across Arizona's 7th District to share their experience with the Veterans Health Administration, including veterans who may be affected by the VA's recent implementation of the VA Mission Act, which will make changes to the VA's community care programs.Veterans of every major conflict over the 20th and 21st centuries face unique health challenges. An estimated one in five veterans who served in Iraq and … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
HASC Marks Up NDAA with Gallego Provision Reinforcing U.S. Military Presence in South Korea
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Armed Services Committee will mark up the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision originally authored by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that would commit the United States to maintaining a robust military presence in South Korea for the foreseeable future, in order to maintain peace and stability in the region.Rep. Gallego's provision would require that U.S. active duty forces in the Republic of Korea not fall below 28,500 troops … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Acting Secretary Shanahan’s Decision to Not Reprimand Senior Officers in Relation to the Niger Ambush
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) released the following statement in response to reports that Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan would not administer reprimands for senior level officers responsible for failures that led to the ambush in Niger in October 2017 during which four U.S. Soldiers and four Nigerien Soldiers were killed."Reports that Acting Secretary Shanahan intends to let the blame for the Niger disaster lie on junior officers and enlisted personnel is a shirking of … Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Introduces Resolution to Recognize Native American Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Ahead of Memorial Day, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced a resolution to honor and recognize the military service and contributions of Native American veterans. Native American veterans have served with distinction in the United States military in every major conflict for over 200 years.The resolution can be found here.Rep. Gallego released the following statement:"American Indians and Alaska Natives have long gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to our … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement Following House Iran Briefing
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) joined members of the House of Representatives for an intelligence briefing on escalating tensions with Iran.Rep. Gallego released the following statement:"Today I received my second intelligence briefing on Iran in the past week, along with many of my House colleagues."Much like the first briefing on the threat that I received on Friday, nothing in the intelligence that I received today indicates that the Administration would be justified … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Joins House Democrats to Pass the Equality Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) joined House Democrats to pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act, to extend full anti-discrimination protections under federal civil rights laws to LGBTQ Americans. Rep. Gallego is an original co-sponsor of the bill.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"No person should suffer from discrimination because of who they are or who they love. Sexual orientation and gender identity deserve full civil rights protections - in the workplace, in … Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
HASC Democrats Introduce Bill to Limit DOD’s Authority to Reprogram Military Construction Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a group of House Armed Services Committee Democrats led by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), HASC Chair Adam Smith (D-Wash.), and HASC Readiness Subcommittee Chair John Garamendi (D-Calif.) introduced a bill that will limit the Department of Defense's authority to repurpose funds that were designated for military construction.The bill would cap national emergency military construction authority at $250 million per emergency and tighten the ability to waive other … Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Reps. Gallego and O’Halleran Applaud Inclusion of Veteran Suicide Prevention Language in Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2020 Military, Construction, and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Bill with language spearheaded by Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01).The language ensures that the Department of Veterans' Affairs will improve the effectiveness of its suicide prevention outreach campaign. It also requires the VA to provide Congress with a plan on how it will effectively spend its new suicide prevention funding.In … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Shanahan Nomination to Serve as Defense Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) released the following statement in response to reports that President Trump will nominate Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to serve as the next Secretary of Defense:"Patrick Shanahan hasn't distinguished himself as Acting Secretary of Defense. It's unclear why he deserves to be the permanent Secretary."Shanahan has bumbled the Niger investigation, stood by while critical positions remain unstaffed, and is the man at the helm for the … Continue Reading