Press Releases
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Anniversary of the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration
Washington, DC - Today marks the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama's announcement of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) policy and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).DAPA would protect parents of U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children from deportation and allow them to apply for work permits. DACA applies to people who were brought to this country as children. Both programs are currently being … Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Today’s Vote on Syrian Refugees
Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"Today, Republican leaders in the House brought forward a misguided bill to drastically alter our nation's refugee laws. While we are still uncovering the facts about the senseless violence in Paris, we must not rush to make permanent policy changes that turn our backs on those escaping violence and torture in their home countries."Among other provisions aimed at making an already lengthy and secure process even more difficult to navigate for … Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Members of the House Democratic Caucus Join Public Interest Groups to Call on House Leadership to Bring a Clean Spending Bill to the Floor
Washington, DC - On Thursday, Nov. 19, members of the House Democratic Caucus joined public interest groups and progressive organizations to call on House Leadership to reject divisive policy riders in the FY 2016 Omnibus and to bring a clean spending bill to the floor.More than 160 Members of Congress signed a letter to House Leadership calling on them to prevent another unnecessary government shutdown by rejecting poison-pill provisions and partisan brinksmanship.The full letter can be found … Continue Reading
November 17, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Refugee Resettlement
Washington, DC - In the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, there has been an uptick in anti-refugee sentiment, and some Republicans have even proposed that the United States end refugee resettlement altogether.Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:"We have a moral responsibility to help those escaping violence and torture in their home countries, while also taking steps to ensure the protection of the American people."Refugees who come to the United States are subject to the … Continue Reading
November 16, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Seeking Applications for Wounded Warrior Congressional Fellowship Program
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego announced today his office is seeking a Wounded Warrior fellow to serve as an Intake Case Worker in his Phoenix, Arizona Congressional Office. Primary responsibilities of the position will include processing constituents with casework issues and communicating with constituents who contact the office.The Wounded Warrior Program was established by the House of Representatives in 2008 and offers veterans the opportunity to serve in a district … Continue Reading
November 10, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego to Introduce Bill to Improve Veterans Health Care Services
Washington, DC -Rep. Ruben Gallego and four cosponsors announced that they will introduce the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services (DOCS) for Veterans Act to improve medical services and care for our nation's veterans.The bill will enhance opportunities for the VA to partner with local affiliates to train providers. It will also take steps to improve recruitment by the VA and boost incentives for those who practice in underserved areas, bolstering the VA medical workforce and … Continue Reading
November 10, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Possible Delay of Retirement for the A-10 Warthog
Washington, DC - The Air Force announced Tuesday that it is considering delaying the retirement of the A-10 Warthog aircraft.Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to vote to preserve funding for the A-10 Warthog and I am pleased today to hear that the Air Force is considering delaying the retirement of this critical aircraft.The A-10 plays a vital role in flying missions in support of our troops on the ground and is … Continue Reading
November 05, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Compel FAA to Reconsider Flight Routes and Address Flight Noise Problems
Washington, DC - Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and 14 cosponsors introduced the FAA Community Accountability Act to give local communities a say in the Federal Aviation Administration's decision-making process regarding flight paths.The FAA Community Accountability Act would establish a new process to compel the FAA to reconsider existing flight routes that are exposing residents to unacceptably high levels of aviation noise. The legislation would also end the presumption under current law that … Continue Reading
October 26, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Helps Secure $10.3 Million TIGER Grant for Grand Canal Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project
Washington, DC - The Department of Transportation announced today that the City of Phoenix's Grand Canal Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project has been awarded a $10.3 million grant by the department's National Infrastructure Investments or TIGER VII Discretionary Grant Program.The funding will help the Project to complete canal trails and street crossings for walking and cycling over about 8 miles of the Grand Canalscape. It will also provide important connections to bus and light rail … Continue Reading
October 23, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Co-Sponsors Legislation to Change the Term “Alien” in Federal Law
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego signed up as a co-sponsor to H.R. 3785, a bill introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) that would remove the offensive and arcane language characterizing immigrants as "aliens" from federal law and agency documentation.The Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression (CHANGE) Act would strike all instances of the word "alien" from the U.S. code and replace it with "foreign national." The term "illegal alien" would be … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Robin Kelly and 38 House Democrats Urge DOJ to Take Action to Reduce Gun Violence in Communities of Color
Washington, DC - Today Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, and 38 Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting a meeting to discuss steps that can be taken to address gun violence in minority communities. Gallego and Kelly have previously called on the Attorney General to increase federal enforcement efforts aimed at irresponsible gun dealers who sell weapons to criminals.Read the letter here.Signers include Reps. Gallego, Robin Kelly, Butterfield, … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Congratulates “Bright Spots in Hispanic Education” in Arizona’s 7th District
Washington, DC - The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics recently recognized four organizations in Arizona's 7th District as "Bright Spots in Hispanic Education."Congressman Gallego delivered a floor speech yesterday congratulating the Bright Spots in his district. His remarks, as prepared:"Mr. Speaker, as we close Hispanic Heritage month and look back at our community's history and ongoing challenges, I rise today to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the White House … Continue Reading
October 20, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego to Host Community Discussion on the Need to Restore the Voting Rights Act
Washington, DC -Congressman Ruben Gallego will host a community dialogue on the need to restore the Voting Rights Act, along with a celebration of the VRA's 50th anniversary in collaboration with his African American Advisory Council.Civil rights leaders from Arizona, including Mrs. Madge Copeland, Rev. Dr. George Benjamin Brooks, and Gov. Raul Castro will be honored during the event.The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Phoenix College's Bulpitt Auditorium, … Continue Reading
October 09, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Statement on Shooting at Northern Arizona University
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement on the shooting at Northern Arizona University:"I am heartbroken by the news of this morning's shooting on the campus of Northern Arizona University. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Northern Arizona University community during this time of grief."I appreciate the efforts of the law enforcement officers and campus officials who are investigating the incident, and of the staff at … Continue Reading
October 07, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Welcomes Efforts to Improve Veterans’ Access to Health Care in Phoenix
Washington, DC - The Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded two contracts intended to improve access to VA health care in the metropolitan Phoenix area.A new contract for clinical space in the Camelback Medical Plaza is expected to provide primary care, mental health care and other services to more than 15,000 veterans. A second contract will fund development of the Southwest Community Based Outpatient Clinic at Estrella Health Center, which will provide care to more than 8,000 … Continue Reading
October 07, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Calls on Republican Leadership to Pass a Clean Debt Limit Extension
Washington, DC - Today Congressman Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech calling on Republican leadership to pass a clean debt limit extension.See his prepared remarks below:"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of President Obama's announcement on Friday that he will not negotiate with the Republican Congress over raising the debt limit. This is the right decision because there is nothing to negotiate. There is only one simple path forward - to pass a clean debt limit extension that … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Rep. Gallego Announces New Communications Director
Washington, DC - Today Congressman Ruben Gallego announced the hire of Christina Carr as his new Communications Director.Prior to joining Congressman Gallego's office, Christina worked for several immigration law firms, the Department of Labor, and most recently as an immigration analyst and reporter for CQ Roll Call.Christina will be joining Congressman Gallego's team on September 30th."I'm very excited to welcome Christina to our office. Aside from being an excellent communicator, Christina … Continue Reading
September 28, 2015
Rep. Gallego Applauds Colombian President Santos’ Announcement Regarding Agreement with the FARC
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about the agreement reached by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC):"Yesterday's announcement from President Santos represents a significant breakthrough in the peace talks between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). It marks another critical milestone on the path to ending the longest running conflict in our … Continue Reading
September 28, 2015
El Congresista Gallego aplaude el anuncio del acuerdo entre el gobierno del Presidente Colombiano Juan Manuel Santos y las FARC
Washington, DC - El Congresista Ruben Gallego hizo las siguientes declaraciones sobre el acuerdo entre el Presidente de Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC)."El día de ayer el Presidente Santos anunció un acuerdo entre el gobierno de Colombia y las FARC. Este acuerdo marca un progreso significativo en el proceso para conseguir la paz en Colombia."Cuando se trata de llegar a la justicia, de descubrir la verdad y de conseguir la reconciliación, el … Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
Rep. Gallego's Reaction to Pope Francis Address to Congress
Washington, DC - Congressman Gallego released the following reaction to Pope Francis' address to Congress."Today Pope Francis challenged us to seek the political courage to tackle some of the most important issues of our time - migration of people, poverty, climate change, violence. He asked us to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves, but above all he encouraged us to seek dialogue, peace, respect and cooperation. At a time of political divide, the Pope's message was loud and … Continue Reading