51ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT VARGAS: I SERVE CONSTITUENTS WITH HONOR AND INTEGRITY
After beating him in both 2016 and 2018, Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, is again being challenged by Republican Juan Hidalgo in this district in San Diego and Imperial counties. Below are the four-term incumbent’s full answers to a series of questions posed by The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board via email. Hidalgo did not respond to our survey.
Q:
What will be your top domestic and international priority in Congress? A:
The COVID-19 pandemic has proved once again that health care is a right that all Americans deserve to have for their families. I will continue to fight to make sure that families in the Imperial Valley and the South Bay have access to affordable health care. On the international front, I want to continue my work on the Foreign Affairs Committee to strengthen our democratic alliance with Israel in order to bring lasting peace to the region. I also believe that our country should continue to support the forces of democracy around the world.
Q:
Has the pandemic changed your approach to health care? If so, how? A:
COVID-19 has reconfirmed my belief that everyone requires access to health care to ensure their basic human medical needs are met. All of us require medical attention and we can solve this challenge if we work together once and for all. Health care is a basic human right, and I will continue to support all efforts to ensure every American has access to affordable quality health care in the United States.
Q:
What more could Congress do to combat climate change?
A:
First, we must reassert our leadership position on climate change in the global community by rejoining the Paris Agreement. The jobs of the future are those green jobs that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and will create an energy independent country. We must also work to ensure that Americans employed in the fossil fuel industry have a substantial retraining program available to them as we transition to green energy. The president, working with Congress, must define this path and then provide the necessary funding to initiate substantive action.
Q:
What changes would you make to U.S. immigration policy?
A:
We must pass comprehensive immigration reform and grant the “Dreamers” the U.S. citizenship they deserve. Polls overwhelmingly show the American people support comprehensive immigration reform, and both issues deserve to pass and become law.
Q:
How would you address the massive national debt hanging over America’s future?
A:
Solving our national debt challenge requires a bipartisan solution. Voters are being given a false choice of cutting taxes or increasing spending. The U.S. debt situation can be solved with a well-thoughtout plan that makes critical investments in infrastructure to upgrade our country for the 21st century, while closing loopholes that are unnecessary. Ultimately, presidential leadership in conjunction with congressional support can solve this challenge.
Q:
Why should voters choose you over your opponent in this election? A:
First of all, I want to thank my opponent for participating in the electoral process. I have fought for my constituents’ needs by creating jobs in the district, securing funds for the Tijuana River Valley, expanding community economic development and supporting the Affordable Care Act. The customer service support of my office to our military veterans and constituents has been top-notch, and my office has taken great pride in resolving our district’s daily needs. In short, I have kept the faith, performed as expected and served with honor and integrity. We have made great progress, but more remains to be accomplished. I ask for your vote and continued support.