Press Releases
Rep. Gallego, DeLauro Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act to End Wage Discrimination
WASHINGTON, DC - The day after the City of Phoenix passed an equal pay ordinance, Rep. Ruben Gallego joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today in reintroducing the Paycheck Fairness Act - legislation which would help close the wage gap between women and men working the same jobs. On average, women make just 78 cents for every dollar a man makes. This pay disparity is even more striking for African American women who on average make 64 cents for every dollar a white non-Hispanic man … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Ryan Zinke Introduce the Veterans Education Tax Security Act (VETS Act)
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego introduced his first piece of legislation - the Veterans Education Tax Security Act (VETS Act). The VETS Act, introduced with Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), will ensure that disabled veterans, deceased veterans and deceased members of the Armed Forces are not financially penalized when their federal student loans are lawfully discharged. Currently, veterans who are totally and permanently disabled can get their federal student loan debt discharged. … Continue Reading
March 23, 2015
Gallego on the 5th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Washington, DC - Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act more than 16 million Americans have access to affordable and quality health insurance and our country's uninsured rate is at its lowest level ever recorded."In Arizona over 205,000 people selected or re-enrolled in health care through the marketplace; over 2 million Arizonans, including 769,000 women and 570,000 children, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Rep. Raul Grijalva send letter to CMS Administrator Asking him to Reject Arizona’s Waiver Request
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Congressman Raul Grijalva sent a letter to CMS administrator Andy Slavitt asking him to reject Arizona's waiver request that would allow the state's Medicaid program to tighten eligibility rules.The proposal would add employment requirements and a cap on the length of time a person can receive Medicaid through Arizona's expansion program - resulting in approximately 500,000 Arizonans losing access to care, including … Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Rep. Raul Grijalva Send Letter to Attorney General Mark Brnovich to Drop Lawsuit against in-state Tuition to DACA Recipients
Washington, DC - Today Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Congressman Raul Grijalva sent a letter to Attorney General Mark Brnovich urging him to drop the lawsuit and stop any future action against the Maricopa County Community College District for granting in-state tuition to DACA recipients. "This lawsuit is nothing but another frivolous political attack against our immigrant community and a waste of our tax dollars. The federal government made clear that DACA … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
El Congresista Gallego sobre el voto para financiar el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional
Washington, DC - El Congresista Ruben Gallego hizo las siguientes declaraciones sobre el voto para financiar el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS por sus siglas en inglés):"Espero que los republicanos hayan aprendido su lección. Nunca debemos de jugar con la seguridad de nuestra nación o el bienestar de nuestro país. El pueblo Estadounidense nos eligió para tomar decisiones que beneficien a nuestro país, no para ponerlo en riesgo. El pueblo Estadounidense no merece este tipo de acciones … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Gallego on Vote to Fund the Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about today's vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security:"I hope Republicans learned their lesson, we should never play games with our national security or with the well-being of our country. There is too much at risk and the American people deserve better."I commend Republicans for finally joining us in passing a clean DHS funding bill that provides appropriate level of funding and certainty for DHS employees to … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego on Women’s History Month
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement commemorating Women's History Month:"During the month of March we celebrate Women's History Month and the endless contributions of women to our country throughout history and today. "As we celebrate how far we've come in ensuring equal rights for women in the United States, we can't forget the sacrifices and challenges that women still face in our country today - including the ongoing battle for equal pay and the fight … Continue Reading
February 25, 2015
While House Republicans Block a Clean DHS Funding Bill for the 3rd Time, Rep. Gallego Votes to Fund DHS and Protect Arizona workers
Washington, DC - Today Rep. Gallego voted to stop the Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. DHS is set to run out of funds on February 28th putting our country in danger and leaving thousands of DHS employees - law enforcement officials, border patrol agents, disaster response officials, counter terrorism experts, and others - furloughed or working without pay. Congressman Gallego released the following statement: "There are three days left until DHS shuts down and … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Joins the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus as Vice-Chair for the 114th Congress
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego joined the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus as a Vice-Chair for the 114th Congress. "Congressman Ruben Gallego is new to Congress this year, but he is not new to championing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality," said JoDee Winterhof, Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. "In Arizona Ruben Gallego fought against the anti-marriage constitutional amendment and to defeat the harmful SB 1062. As a new … Continue Reading
February 19, 2015
House Democrats Release Letter Urging Speaker Boehner to Pass a Clean Department of Homeland Security Funding Bill
Washington, DC - Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Pete Aguilar released a letter to Speaker John Boehner, urging him to bring a clean Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill to the House floor for a vote. The letter - which explains that the current DHS funding bill with anti-immigrant riders will not be approved by the Senate or signed into law by President Obama - was signed by 119 Members of Congress. Rep. Ruben Gallego said, "Rep. Roybal-Allard and Rep. Lowey have introduced a … Continue Reading
February 12, 2015
Congressman Ruben Gallego Co-Sponsors Clean DHS Funding Bill
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego signed up as a co-sponsor to H.R. 861 - a clean DHS funding bill introduced by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: "I am happy to join Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and Congresswoman Nita Lowey in supporting a clean DHS funding bill that doesn't include anti-immigrant poison pills. "There are 17 days left until DHS runs out of funds putting our national … Continue Reading
February 11, 2015
Gallego on President’s AUMF Proposal
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about the President's AUMF Proposal:"President Obama submitted a serious proposal that takes us a step closer to defeating ISIS and keeping America safe. I appreciate President Obama's recognition of Congress' constitutionally-guaranteed role in shaping our national security policies. "As a U.S. Marine veteran, I fought to clear areas in Iraq that are in fact now held by ISIS unfortunately. ISIS is a threat to the … Continue Reading
February 10, 2015
Rep. Gallego on Arizonan Kayla Mueller’s Death
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement in regards to Kayla Mueller's Death: "Kayla was a kind and compassionate young woman who devoted her life to helping people in need in Arizona and around the world. She was a beam of light and hope to those that knew her and everyone whose life she touched. Although Kayla is no longer with us, she left a mark in this world and her example of service, love and faith lives on. "As we mourn Kayla's death we strengthen … Continue Reading
February 06, 2015
Rep. Gallego on Arizonan Kayla Mueller Held Captive by ISIS
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement in regards to Kayla Mueller, a young Arizonan held captive by ISIS: "Kayla Mueller is a young woman from Arizona who has devoted her career to helping people in need and serving others around the world. Over a year ago Kayla was helping refugee families in Syria who were forced to leave their home when she was taken captive by ISIS. "While we have no more information about Kayla's situation, our thoughts and prayers … Continue Reading
February 03, 2015
Gallego on Senate Voting Down Anti-immigrant DHS Funding Bill
Washington, DC - Today the Senate voted down a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which contains several anti-immigrant amendments that would roll back the President's Executive Orders to provide Deferred Action and protect DREAMers and parents of U.S. citizen children from deportation. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement:"We all knew this bill wouldn't go anywhere. The Senate didn't have the 60 votes to pass it, and the President made it clear that … Continue Reading
February 02, 2015
Gallego’s Statement on African American History Month
Washintgon, DC - Following is a statement from Congressman Ruben Gallego in celebration of African American History Month: "During the month of February we celebrate African American History month and the many contributions and accomplishments of African Americans in the United States. "As we celebrate our African American brothers and sisters we must also reflect on the many lessons from the civil rights movement, and the continuous fight for equal rights in the United States - We must … Continue Reading
February 02, 2015
Gallego’s Statement on the President’s Budget
Washington, DC - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement on the President's 2016 Budget Proposal:"The budget proposal that President Obama laid out guarantees that more Americans can participate in our economic recovery - it'll help grow workers' pay, expand child care, provide tax relief for the middle class and access to the education and training that American workers need to earn higher wages. It also provides additional funds to expand access, quality of care and … Continue Reading
January 28, 2015
Rep. Ruben Gallego Joins the Quiet Skies Caucus
Washington, DC - Following a meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week concerning noise caused by the flight path changes in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Rep. Ruben Gallego today joined the Quiet Skies Caucus to bring attention to the issue of aircraft noise and its negative effects. Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement: "Aircraft noise is increasingly becoming a problem in cities across the country - including my city of Phoenix, Arizona. … Continue Reading
January 27, 2015
Boehner’s Lawsuit on Immigration Another Example of Republicans’ Anti-immigrant Political Gamesmanship
Washington, DC - Today Speaker Boehner told the Republican caucus that he is exploring the best options to sue President Obama over the President's Executive Action on immigration. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: "In 32 days the Department of Homeland Security will shut down thanks to Republicans' anti-immigrant political gamesmanship and inability to govern. Instead of doing their job and working to pass a bill that addresses our immigration system once and for … Continue Reading