Press Releases
Rep. Sara Jacobs: “I’ve experienced antisemitism all my life”
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), the youngest Jewish Member of Congress, released the following statement after voting against legislation that would stifle and restrict free speech in an effort to combat the rise of antisemitism: “As a Jewish woman, I’ve experienced antisemitism all my life. I’ve been called a kike while I was waiting for a drink at a bar when I was at college. I’ve heard too many ‘jokes’ to count about my frizzy hair and my big nose. I remember my classmates who thought it was … Continue Reading
May 01, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Urges House Republicans to Withdraw Support from Fetal Personhood Legislation
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) spoke on the House Floor, urging 184 House Republicans to remove their cosponsorship of legislation that pushes the “fetal personhood” ideology, which threatens access to IVF, abortion, and contraception. Watch Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Floor Speech Here Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Three years ago, during my first year in Congress, I froze my eggs - which means I went through the first initial stages of IVF except that after egg retrieval, my eggs were frozen and stored. For … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes to Pass Humanitarian Aid for Sudan and Gaza; Defensive Aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) voted to pass humanitarian aid for Sudan and Gaza; defensive aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan; and more. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Last month, as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, I visited Sudanese refugees along the Sudan-Chad border and saw firsthand their dire need for help. Sudan is facing the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, and 25 million people - including 14 million children - need immediate humanitarian … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform – Not Campaign Stunts
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) voted against a Republican-led bill that would reinstate Title 42 and the Remain in Mexico policy, end the asylum system, jail children and families indefinitely, worsen the situation at the border, criminalize visa overstays, and other inhumane policies. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “San Diegans aren’t interested in campaign stunts masquerading as border policies; we want effective solutions that support border communities and address our broken immigration system. I … Continue Reading
April 17, 2024
House Passes Jacobs-Backed Bill to Protect Americans’ Privacy
The House passed the bipartisan Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, co-led by Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), which would close the data broker loophole and prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from buying American’s personal information without a warrant. Watch Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Floor Speech Here Earlier today on the House Floor, Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Under almost any other circumstance, law enforcement and intelligence agencies need a warrant to access our personal information. … Continue Reading
April 13, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Statement on Iran's Attack on Israel
Following Iran’s attack on Israel, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) released the following statement: “My heart goes out to the Israeli people who are suffering attacks from Iran. I have family in Tel Aviv so I know how painful and personal this feels, especially as Jews in Israel and around the world are still reeling from the horrific attack on October 7th. “I unequivocally condemn this attack and Iran’s efforts to destabilize and sow further discord in the region. We must now focus on avoiding a … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes Against Reauthorizing FISA and Section 702 Without Meaningful, Permanent Reforms
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) voted against reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), including Section 702, because it failed to have any meaningful and permanent reforms to protect Americans’ 4th Amendment rights. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “We can keep our country safe while simultaneously protecting Americans’ 4th Amendment rights to privacy, but this version of the FISA reauthorization doesn’t get that balance right. In San Diego, AAPI and Middle Eastern communities are … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Touts Big Wins for San Diego in Military Quality of Life Panel Report
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), a member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Quality of Life Panel, praised the panel’s report of recommendations to improve service members’ pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care, and spouse support. These improvements will dramatically improve the quality of life of service members and military families in San Diego, the country’s largest military community. At a press conference today, Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “I’m incredibly proud to … Continue Reading
April 01, 2024
Jacobs, Booker, Lee Joint Statement on Trip to Chad
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations issued the following joint statement after returning from Chad, where they had meetings in N’Djamena with the Transitional Military Council (CMT) President Mahamat Deby, members … Continue Reading
March 29, 2024
Reps. Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Mark Pocan, Sen. Brian Schatz Introduce Bicameral Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chairs of the Transgender Equality Task Force, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced bicameral legislation to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and affirm their human rights. Rep. Sara Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality … Continue Reading
March 28, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Co-Leads Bill to Protect Americans' Reproductive Data Privacy
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) joined Reps. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Hillary Scholten (D-MI) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) in introducing the Reproductive Data Privacy and Protection Act. The legislation would protect reproductive health care from law enforcement’s use of surveillance technologies. Since the 2022 Dobbs Supreme Court decision, law enforcement agencies have obtained data, including geolocation data and private messages, to investigate and prosecute abortions. This data could … Continue Reading
March 26, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Pens Elle Op-Ed Calling for Passage of the My Body, My Data Act
As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in the FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine case that could restrict access to mifepristone, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) penned an op-ed for Elle, calling for passage of her bill, the My Body, My Data Act to win the next generation of abortion battles. Her bill would create a new national standard to protect reproductive and sexual health data. Read Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Op-Ed Here Rep. Sara Jacobs wrote: “Today, the Supreme Court begins oral … Continue Reading
March 23, 2024
As Humanitarian Crisis Mounts in Gaza, Senior House Democrats Urge President Biden to Enforce U.S. Law on Security Assistance to Israel
Today, six senior House Democrats with significant experience in foreign policy and human rights - Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) sent a letter urging President Biden to make clear that continued efforts by the Israeli government to restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza will require the United States to enforce … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes to Fund the Government, Bring Home San Diego Priorities
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) voted to pass the second and final package of six FY2024 appropriations bills, which include several San Diego priorities like lowering the costs of child care, addressing the Tijuana River Valley crisis, providing additional funds to care for migrants and asylum seekers, increasing pay for service members, and more. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “House Republicans are unserious about governing even when our economy, national security, and Americans’ livelihoods hang in the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Chris Van Hollen Reintroduce Bill to Expand Human Rights Vetting in Security Cooperation Programs
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reintroduced legislation to close loopholes in Leahy Law that allow up to $120 million per year in security assistance to go unvetted for human rights violations. The Upholding Human Rights Abroad Act would prohibit U.S. funds or support for units or individuals that have committed gross human rights violations or violations of international humanitarian law. Although U.S. law prohibits providing security assistance to recipients who … Continue Reading
March 20, 2024
Rep. Jacobs and Sens. Coons, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan and Bicameral Bill to Prioritize Locally-Led Development and Humanitarian AID; Passed by House Foreign Affairs Committee
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation yesterday to empower and bolster locally-led development and humanitarian assistance. The Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act would increase … Continue Reading
March 13, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes Against TikTok Ban
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) voted against H.R. 7521, a bill that would functionally ban TikTok in the United States. Rep. Sara Jacobs said, “As a member of both the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees, I am keenly aware of the threat that PRC information operations can pose, especially as they relate to our elections. However, after reviewing the intelligence, I do not believe that this bill is the answer to those threats. Banning TikTok won’t protect Americans from … Continue Reading
March 07, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Leads Bipartisan Push to Extend Pandemic Funds to Address Student Homelessness
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) led a bipartisan push to extend federal funding passed through the American Rescue Plan for students experiencing homelessness. Since the pandemic, child and youth homelessness has increased by at least 16%, creating a greater and pressing need for targeted support for students experiencing homelessness. Last school year, nearly 18,500 San Diego County students experienced homelessness. These funds have helped address chronic absence, mental … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Secures $13.5 Million for 15 San Diego Projects
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) secured $13.5 million for 15 local community projects in San Diego in an appropriations package that passed the House today. These projects were submitted by local governments and non-profits across California’s 51st district, from Lemon Grove to Grantville to Miramar. The Senate is expected to pass this package later this week, and then it will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Bringing home federal dollars to San Diego is one … Continue Reading
February 23, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Leads San Diego Congressional Delegation in Urging IRS to Extend Federal Tax Deadline Given January Storms
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) led the San Diego congressional delegation, including Reps. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Scott Peters (CA-50), in urging the IRS Commissioner to extend the federal tax deadline from April 15th to June 17th for San Diego County residents, who are continuing to recover from the severe storms and devastating floods in late January. Read Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Letter Here The lawmakers wrote: “We write to bring your attention to the Presidential Major … Continue Reading