Press Releases
Rep. Sara Jacobs Introduces Bill to Improve Federal Disaster Recovery Efforts
Following the severe flooding and storms in San Diego in January, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced legislation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government’s disaster recovery efforts. More than 30 federal entities contribute to the federal government’s response to natural disasters. Following the storms in San Diego, constituents struggled to navigate the multiple federal recovery programs and their differing requirements and deadlines and were frustrated by lags … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
Reps. Sara Jacobs, Jen Kiggans Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Co-Location of Military Child Care and Housing
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), who represent two of the largest military communities in the country, introduced bipartisan legislation to address the simultaneous crises facing military families: the difficulty of finding and affording housing and child care. The legislation would direct the military to study the feasibility of building multi-unit family housing constructions that include a child care center - the first step in the process of addressing the long-overdue … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
House Foreign Affairs Committee Passed Jacobs/Meeks-Backed Bill to Host U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Every 4 Years
Yesterday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed legislation led by Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, and Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which would direct the U.S. to host regular U.S.-Africa Leaders Summits, at least every four years, to strengthen and cement these partnerships. Rep. Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, said: “The West has long ignored, neglected, and … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes Against H.R. 8369
After voting against H.R. 8369, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) released the following statement: “It’s our responsibility to ensure that U.S. weapons - no matter what country they are sold to - are used consistently with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and best practices to reduce civilian harm. Preserving this moral authority is what allows us to build and maintain international coalitions that advance our goals. And that’s why passing H.R. 8369 and attempting to rubber-stamp all arms … Continue Reading
May 15, 2024
Reps. Sara Jacobs, Maria Salazar Introduce Bipartisan Global Internet Freedom Act
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27) introduced the bipartisan Global Internet Freedom Act to reinforce that internet freedom is fundamental to human rights. The bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. Department of State to include abuses of internet freedom, including shutting down internet services, blocking websites, social media sites, and applications, and engaging in other forms of digital repression, in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Rep. Sara Jacobs Releases Statement on Passing of Her Grandmother, Joan Jacobs
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) released the following statement on the passing of her grandmother, Joan Jacobs, at the age of 91: “After four sons, I was my Grandma Joan’s first girl - and she spent every day making sure I knew I was special and loved. She pushed me and everyone around her to be the best versions of themselves, and I’m forever grateful for that. She showed me that I could be feminine and win an argument, I could be a wife and mother and grandmother and also a leader, and I could … Continue Reading
May 01, 2024
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