Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced new federal funding for projects across Ventura County. The funding was recently approved by Congress and signed into law through the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bill. The bill includes investments for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Unidentified and Missing Persons Forensic Genetic Genealogy Testing Initiative and dredging of the Ventura Harbor.

The funding package includes a $700,000 grant for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Unidentified and Missing Persons Forensic Genetic Genealogy Testing Initiative. The funding will be used to investigate a backlog of unidentified human remains cases in the county.

“We’ve already seen very positive results from this initiative,” said Rep. Carbajal. “In just one quarter in 2024, the Sheriff’s Department and Medical Examiner’s Office used this genetic testing initiative to successfully identify and reunite four Central Coast families with the remains of their loved ones. These reunifications are only the beginning, and it’s critical we deliver the resources needed to bring closure to every family still waiting for answers.”

The funding bill also includes $5,980,000 in grants for the crucial annual dredging of the Ventura Harbor. 

“It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the annual dredging project for the economic strength of Ventura County. The project not only ensures successful maritime navigation but is foundational to maintaining the vitality of commercial fishing, local tourism, recreational boating, and waterfront businesses,” said Rep Carbajal.

In the spring of 2025, Carbajal began to push for funding these projects through formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026.