Press Releases
Ruben Gallego’s Statement on President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee
Washington, DC - Today, President Barack Obama announced that he plans to nominate Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court.Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"I congratulate Judge Merrick Garland on his nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Garland is an experienced and respected jurist with a long history of service to our nation."As a member of Congress who was elected to do my job, I take my constitutional duty seriously. The Constitution gives the … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Calls on Congress to Address Aircraft Noise
Washington, DC - The FAA's decision in 2014 to implement new flight paths for aircraft departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had a severe impact on the quality of life for many Phoenix residents.On Tuesday, Rep. Ruben Gallego called on Congress in a floor speech to act to compel the FAA to consider steps to mitigate aircraft noise-related concerns.Language in the 2016 omnibus spending bill requires the FAA to develop a plan to address the concerns of communities exposed to … Continue Reading
February 12, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement Following Deadly Shooting at Independence High School
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement in response to the shooting on the campus of Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona."My sincerest condolences go out to the Independence High School community and the family and friends of the victims of today's shooting. I mourn with the rest of our community for the two students who lost their lives today."I would like to thank our first responders and the high school staff who acted quickly and the law … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016
Members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation Call on Secretary of the Interior to Address Sexual Harassment Incidents Within the Grand Canyon National Park Service
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ruben Gallego led members of the Arizona Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on Wednesday, asking her to take appropriate disciplinary action against National Park Service employees who are found to have engaged in sexual harassment or violence.Read the letter here.A 2014 letter of complaint from 13 current and former Grand Canyon National Park Service employees cited rampant sexual harassment and abuse. A subsequent … Continue Reading
February 08, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates BioAccel on New Grant Award
Washington, D.C. - The Economic Development Administration announced today that it has awarded BioAccel, a Phoenix based non-profit aimed at improving Arizona's health by providing bioscience entrepreneurial training and mentorship, with a $250,000 grant for its new economic development project. BioAccel plans to launch three seed funds in the biomedical and health IT sectors in order to help grow Arizona's healthcare and biomedical sectors.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following … Continue Reading
February 04, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Applauds Provisions in FAA Reauthorization to Help Phoenix Communities Harmed by Aircraft Noise; Calls for Further Action
Washington, D.C. - In response to sustained calls from Rep. Ruben Gallego for congressional action on aviation noise in Arizona, legislation introduced this week by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contains several key provisions that could help to provide relief to Phoenix residents plagued by acute levels of noise from passing aircraft. Noise issues in the Phoenix area stem from the FAA's decision in … Continue Reading
February 02, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Plan to Delay A-10 Warthog Retirement until 2022
Washington, D.C. - Defense Secretary announced Tuesday that the Pentagon will delay plans to retire the A-10 Warthog until 2022. The last two budget requests from the Administration called for the retirement of the entire A-10 fleet.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"While I'm glad to hear that the Pentagon has decided to keep the A-10 Warthog flying until 2022, this is still too early to retire a plane that has immeasurable value to our U.S. troops on the ground. We recently … Continue Reading
February 01, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in honor of Black History Month:"Black History Month is a time to celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of African Americans. It is also a time to recognize and honor the sacrifices of those who led the way during the civil rights movement."It's important to recognize that the struggle for equal rights still continues today. We must do more to make sure that all children - including African American children … Continue Reading
January 19, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Applauds SCOTUS Decision to Hear U.S. v. Texas
Washington, D.C.-Today, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari to hear an appeal on United States v. Texas, which challenged President Obama's executive action on DAPA and the extension of DACA.The justices will take up the Obama administration's appeal of the U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit Court ruling, which upheld a lower court decision to halt the President's actions on immigration.Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"Because the Supreme Court has … Continue Reading
January 14, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Delay of Retirement for the A-10 Warthog
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in response to reports that the U.S. Air Force is placing on hold its plans to retire the A-10 Warthog. The last two budget requests from the Administration called for the retirement of the entire A-10 fleet."As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to vote to preserve funding for the A-10 Warthog. I am pleased to hear that the Air Force is planning to delay the retirement of this critical … Continue Reading
January 13, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego’s Reaction to President Obama’s 2016 State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in reaction to President Barack Obama's 2016 State of the Union Address:"The President's forward-looking vision recognizes the importance of American leadership on important issues like climate change, technological development, and international security."The President has challenged Congress to fix our politics and act to do what is right for our country. I call on my Republican colleagues to work together with Democrats … Continue Reading
January 06, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on ICE Raids
Washington, D.C. - Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in December it would launch a series of home raids targeting Central Americans with outstanding removal orders. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 121 people were taken into custody last weekend. The detained families are from Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"Many who recently arrived in the United States from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras were fleeing … Continue Reading
January 05, 2016
Rep. Ruben Gallego Applauds President Obama’s Executive Orders on Gun Control
Washington, D.C. - Today, President Obama announced he would take executive action on gun control. The new rules will require more gun sellers to be licensed and to conduct background checks and make it easier for authorities to hold irresponsible gun sellers accountable and to better track who owns guns. The plan will also increase mental health treatment and reporting and help shape the future of gun safety technology.Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"I met with President … Continue Reading
December 18, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Today’s Omnibus Vote
Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed an omnibus government funding bill. Rep. Ruben Gallego voted against the bill.Rep. Gallego issued the following statement:"The omnibus bill was billed as a compromise, but in reality was packed with Republican policy provisions that only compromise our values. The omnibus should be about funding the government - not about pushing through policies that could not pass on their own."Among the legislation's many serious shortcomings is … Continue Reading
December 15, 2015
Bipartisan Resolution Supporting the Peace Process in Colombia Introduced in House
Washington, DC - Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and 5 House cosponsors introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of the peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).The resolution recognizes the importance of the ongoing negotiations and commends Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his leadership in the process. It also calls on the negotiating parties to make meaningful reparations to the victims of the conflict and urges … Continue Reading
December 14, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Paris Climate Summit Agreement
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement after delegates to the COP21 United Nations Climate Change Conference announced a final agreement to limit carbon pollution:"The agreement reached during the Paris Climate Summit is an important first step to addressing a worsening climate crisis. The historic plan will reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in favor of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources."But we … Continue Reading
December 11, 2015
Latino Members of Congress Send a Letter to Marco Rubio Urging Him to Stop Blocking Confirmation of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Washington, DC - Today 19 Latino Members of Congress sent a letter to Sen. Marco Rubio urging him to stop blocking confirmation of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Affairs Roberta Jacobson, President Barack Obama's nominee for Ambassador to Mexico.The United States has been without an Ambassador to Mexico since July, following the retirement of Tony Wayne. This lapse in leadership at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City comes at a time when the importance of the security and economic … Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Calls for a “Strong and Fair” Global Climate Agreement
Washington, DC - As world leaders convene in Paris for the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Rep. Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech today calling for a "strong and fair" global climate agreement and challenging his colleagues in Congress to support stronger climate policies that will grow the economy and improve public health.Excerpts of his remarks are below. The full speech can be found here."Now is the time to demonstrate our leadership and our obligation to the security … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
Congressman Gallego Calls on Congress to Close the Terrorist Gun Loophole
Washington, DC - Today Rep. Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech calling on Congress to take action to close the terrorist gun loophole and prohibit individuals who appear on the No Fly List from purchasing firearms.His remarks, as delivered:"Mr. Speaker, we shouldn't allow terrorists who want to kill innocent Americans to have easy access to guns. It's just that simple, and that's just common sense. Yet any individual on the No Fly List, considered too dangerous to get on a plane, can walk … Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
El Congresista Ruben Gallego Sobre el Aniversario de las Acciones Ejecutivas
Washington, DC - Hoy celebramos el primer aniversario del anuncio de la acción diferida para los padres de estadounidenses y residentes legales (DAPA) y la expansión de Acción Diferida para los llegados en la infancia (DACA) del presidente Barack Obama.DAPA protegería de la deportación a los padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes permanents legales, y les permitiría solicitar permisos de trabajo. DACA se aplica a las personas que fueron traídas a este país cuando eran niños. Ambos … Continue Reading