{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-vargas-honda-and-pocan-urge-state-department-to-remain", "Representatives Vargas, Honda and Pocan Urge State Department to Remain Neutral in Upcoming Salvadoran Election", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 16, 2013) \u2013Rep. Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Honda (CA-17), and Rep. Pocan (WI-2) were joined by forty eight other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the State Department urging for impartiality in the upcoming presidential elections in El Salvador.\u00a0\n\u201cI believe is it essential for the United States to support a free, fair and transparent electoral process in El Salvador,\u201d said Rep. Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cEl Salvador has made positive strides in strengthening its voting process and a position of neutrality by the State Department will be an affirmation of El Salvador\u2019s efforts to enfranchise voters and strengthen its democracy.\u201d\nIn the 2009 El Salvador presidential election, the Administration not only vocally supported a free and fair election, but also provided neutral, third party observers, and supported the Organization of American States\u2019 mission to ensure a free and fair electoral process.\n\"Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, I have a particular affinity with the Salvadoran people,\" said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.).\u00a0 \"That is why I support the positive efforts the government of El Salvador has made to advance a free, fair, and inclusive democratic process. I am glad to join my colleagues in urging the State Department to support impartiality in the upcoming elections and to stand by the ultimate decision of the Salvadoran people.\"\n\u201cI look forward to the State Department cultivating a fruitful relationship with the Salvadoran people\u2019s freely elected government,\u201d said Rep. Vargas.\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-vargas-honda-and-pocan-urge-state-department-to-remain"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.427563140168786, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}