Press Releases
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Orlando Shooting
Washington, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in response to this weekend's mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. 49 people were killed and 53 more were wounded at an LGBT nightclub. The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history."I am shocked and horrified by this hate-filled and tragic shooting in Orlando. I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community during this difficult time."It is especially egregious that these men and women were attacked at a place they … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016
Congressman Gallego Leads 70 Democrats in Calling for Greater Resources to Address TSA Airport Delays
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego, along with Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Patrick Murphy and Rep. John Lewis, sent a letter signed by 70 House Democrats urging the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to provide additional resources and authorities to address the frustrating wait times at TSA security checkpoints that have frustrated passengers at airports across the nation. Congressman Gallego led the effort in response to unacceptably long lines at Phoenix Sky Harbor … Continue Reading
June 07, 2016
Congressman Gallego Statement on the Passing of Helen Chavez, Widow of Cesar Chavez
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the statement below following the death of Helen Chavez, widow of civil rights pioneer Cesar Chavez:"I join the labor movement and the entire Latino community in mourning the death of Helen Chavez," said Rep. Gallego. "It would be hard to understate the critical role that Helen played in the fight to secure basic rights and protections for migrant farm workers in America. By all accounts, she was a quiet woman, but when she did speak … Continue Reading
June 03, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego’s Statement on President Obama's Call to Expand Social Security Benefits
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement on President Barack Obama's call to expand Social Security benefits:"President Obama is right to call on Congress to renew our commitment to seniors and Americans with disabilities by expanding Social Security benefits. At a time when our society is becoming increasingly unequal and millions of older Americans are still struggling to make ends meet, we have a moral obligation to strengthen our social safety net for … Continue Reading
May 20, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Defeat of Rep. Gosar’s Attempt to Block DREAMers from Serving in Uniform
Washington, DC - An amendment to the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act that would have prevented beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from serving in the armed forces was struck down in the House Rules Committee.The amendment, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), would have altered bipartisan compromise language that affirms the Secretary of Defenses broad discretionary power to enable immigrants to enlist in the military by specifically … Continue Reading
May 19, 2016
House Passes Amendment to Ban Confederate Battle Flag From VA Cemeteries
Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the 2017 VA funding bill that will prohibit federal taxpayer funds from being used to fly the Confederate battle flag at cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).The amendment was introduced by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.).Rep. Huffman introduced a similar amendment last year to the Interior Department spending bill. A stand-alone bill on the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Introduces “Help Treat PTSD Among Service Members” Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, DC - Rep. Ruben Gallego introduced an amendment to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require each branch of the armed forces to monitor the prescribing practices of medications to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among service members.An estimated one in five veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are diagnosed with PTSD.The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) have collaborated to develop … Continue Reading
May 11, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Responds to Rep. Gosar’s Attempt to Block DREAMers from Serving our Nation in Uniform
Rep. Ruben Gallego Responds to Rep. Gosar's Attempt to Block DREAMers from Serving our Nation in UniformWashington, DC - Yesterday, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), announced that he had filed an amendment to the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent undocumented young people brought to the United States as children - known as DREAMers - from serving our country in uniform. His misguided amendment would alter bipartisan compromise language affirming the Secretary of Defense's broad … Continue Reading
May 10, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Announces Winners of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition
Phoenix, AZ - Rep. Ruben Gallego announced the winners of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition for Arizona's 7th District at an awards ceremony held at The Parsons Center for Health and Wellness on Monday, May 9.Rep. Ruben Gallego said, "I want to offer my congratulations to Carlos Medrano, winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition for Arizona's 7th Congressional District. I was thoroughly impressed by the wide range of talent and creativity displayed by the students in our community. … Continue Reading
May 06, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Reinstatement of KidsCare in Arizona
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego hailed the passage of landmark legislation that will restore access to KidsCare, the Children's Health Insurance Program in Arizona.Earlier this year, Rep. Gallego led a letter to CMS urging federal authorities to provide clarity and reassurances that full federal funding would be made available after KidsCare was enacted.Rep. Gallego released the following statement:"The reinstatement of KidsCare marks a momentous step forward for our state. I'm … Continue Reading
May 02, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Announces 2016 Service Academy Appointments
Phoenix, AZ - Rep. Ruben Gallego is honored to announce five prestigious appointments to the United States Service Academies. This year's appointees include two local high school students, two students who are currently enrolled in Arizona universities, and one student who is currently enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School."As a Marine Corps veteran, I take great pride in nominating some of Arizona's brightest students to our nation's service academies," said Rep. Ruben Gallego. … Continue Reading
May 02, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Sobre La Crisis Humanitaria en Puerto Rico
Washington, DC - Esta semana, los ciudadanos Americanos en Puerto Rico una vez más se han quedado en el limbo después de que líderes republicanos en el Congreso se fueron a casa sin pasar un proyecto de ley para hacer frente a la crisis humanitarian en la isla. Hoy se espera que Puerto Rico no pueda hacer el mayor pago a sus acreedores hasta la fecha.El Rep. Ruben Gallego hizo las siguientes declaraciones:"Puerto Rico está en crisis y los republicanos se niegan a actuar. La isla está … Continue Reading
May 02, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego on the Puerto Rico Humanitarian Crisis
Washington, DC - This week, American citizens in Puerto Rico have once again been left in limbo after Republican leaders in Congress left for home without passing a bill to address the island's humanitarian crisis. Today, Puerto Rico is expected to miss its largest payment to creditors to date.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"Puerto Rico is in crisis, and Republicans are refusing to act as jobs are lost, schools and hospitals are closing, and young workers are leaving the … Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
House Armed Services Committee Affirms Department of Defense Authority to Enlist DREAMers
Washington, DC - Tonight, in a victory for immigrant rights, the House Armed Services Committee voted to affirm the Secretary of Defense's broad discretionary power to enable immigrants - including DREAMers - to enlist in the military.The vote came after Rep. Ruben Gallego introduced the "Enable DREAMers to Serve in Uniform" amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment would have required the Secretary of Defense to establish a process to permit the enlistment of … Continue Reading
April 20, 2016
Military Veterans in Congress Introduce Bill to Help Deported Veterans
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Gallego (D-AZ) led a group of veteran members of Congress to introduce legislation that would help deported veterans to reunite with their families in the United States. The bill would also prevent the removal of service members and veterans in the future.Specifically, the bill urges the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to use his powers under current law to readmit veterans into the United States who have been deported and who have not committed a … Continue Reading
April 19, 2016
Schakowsky and Gallego Lead 172 Representatives in Calling For No Riders in Appropriations Bills
Today, Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement after leading 172 representatives in sending a letter to House Leadership urging that no divisive policy provisions be included in the 2017 appropriations bills: "Divisive partisan policy riders have no place in our appropriations bills," said Rep. Schakowsky. "Last year's two-year budget agreement should've settled the issue and allowed both parties to work together to craft the 2017 appropriations … Continue Reading
April 18, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego on U.S. v. Texas Oral Arguments
Washington, DC - Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the lawsuit to block President Obama's immigration executive actions, the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"The DAPA and expanded DACA programs are commonsense policies that will allow hardworking immigrant families to remain together and come out of the … Continue Reading
April 15, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego on DOT’s Tentative Decision to Allow Norwegian Air to Operate in the United States
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced gave tentative approval to license Norwegian Air International (NAI) to fly to the United States.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"Norwegian Air has gained a leg-up on their competition by employing questionable business tactics that violate U.S. and international labor laws and regulations. If the Department of Transportation allows them to operate in the United States, they will be choosing to reward … Continue Reading
March 29, 2016
Congresistas Urgen Financiamiento Completo de la Solicitud de Ayuda para Colombia del Presidente Obama
Washington, D.C. - Ayer los Congresistas Ruben Gallego y Bradley Byrne y 14 de sus colegas de la Cámara enviaron una carta a los principals miembros del Comité de Asignaciones pidiéndolos que financien en su totalidad la solicitud del presidente Barack Obama para la ayuda a Colombia.En Febrero, el presidente Obama anunció un nuevo paquete de ayuda de $450 millones para el año fiscal 2017 para ayudar al gobierno de Colombia en la implementación de un acuerdo de paz con la guerrilla, la FARC, … Continue Reading
March 29, 2016
House Members Urge Full Funding of President Obama’s Colombia Aid Request
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and 14 of their House colleagues sent a letter to key House Appropriations Committee members asking them to fully fund President Barack Obama's budget request for aid to Colombia.Last month, President Obama announced a new aid package totaling $450 million for FY 2017 to assist the Colombian government in implementing a potential peace deal with the FARC guerillas after more than fifty years of violent conflict … Continue Reading