Rep. Vargas Spotlights the Power of Insurance and Advocacy

• By: Olivia Overman
• April 23, 2026

At Thursday’s breakfast session during the 2026 Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., Rep. Juan Vargas (D-California) emphasized why insurance is essential to the economy and why independent agent advocacy helps ensure policymakers understand how the right legislation and reforms improve communities nationwide.

“Insurance is foundational to our economy—nothing moves without it,” Rep. Vargas said. “People often do not realize its importance until they need it, and that is why your advocacy here in Washington matters.”

Rep. Vargas was first elected to Congress in 2013 and represents California’s 52nd congressional district, which includes portions of San Diego County, all of Imperial County, and the entire U.S.–Mexico border in California. He is currently serving his sixth term in Congress and is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.

Prior to his time in Congress, Rep. Vargas worked in the insurance industry as a senior executive with Liberty Mutual.

In introducing Rep. Vargas, Nathan Riedel, Big “I” senior vice president of federal government affairs, said, “he brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent agents, brokers and the broader insurance marketplace.”

Emphasizing the vital role that independent agents play, Rep. Vargas noted that “issues such as flood insurance and crop insurance are national priorities and your engagement helps ensure that policymakers understand the real‑world impact of these programs.” 

Speaking about bipartisanship in Congress, Rep. Vargas said, “I think what would surprise people is we actually get along, almost all of us actually get along with each other on both sides of the aisle.”

And while they don’t agree on everything, flood insurance is an issue where “we’re going to come together,” he said, “and you’re the ones that facilitate that—that’s why it’s very important that you’re here.”

Olivia Overman is IA content editor.