El Paso is facing the indescribable pain and horror that too many other American communities have had to endure. Our hearts are completely broken by this needless loss of life, especially here in our beautiful home.
In the wake of this attack against our community, El Pasoans want action to address domestic terrorism and resolve the gun violence epidemic that plagues our nation, and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar stands ready to be a voice for her community in our nation’s capital.
Yesterday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship held a hearing in El Paso focusing on the Trump administration’s border policies and the relationship between anti-immigrant rhetoric and domestic terrorism. The hearing shed light on this painful and dangerous trend and positioned El Paso in the front and center of this important national discussion.
Following the attack against El Paso, Congresswoman Escobar signed a letter, along with over 200 of her colleagues, urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call the Senate back into session over August to consider bipartisan pieces of legislation passed by the House of Representatives in February – H.R.8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. These bills could prevent future tragedies like the one that happened in our community.
Next week, Congresswoman Escobar will return to Washington D.C. to address the issue of gun violence prevention. She will join her House Judiciary Committee colleagues to mark up a series of bills to help respond to the growing problem of gun violence:
- H.R. 1186, the Keep Americans Safe Act
The Keep Americans Safe Act, introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), would ban high capacity ammunition magazines. These magazines are a critical feature that makes many assault weapons particularly lethal.
- H.R. 1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, amended to also include provisions from H.R. 3076, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act
The Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), provides incentives through grants for states to adopt laws providing for Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent those deemed a risk to themselves or others from accessing firearms. In addition, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06), establishes a procedure for obtaining Extreme Risk Protection Orders in federal court.
- H.R. 2708, the Disarm Hate Act.
The Disarm Hate Act, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline, includes those convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes in the list of categories of individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms, and who would be prohibited from doing so through background checks.
It is time Congress comes together to do what we can to stop the senseless gun violence happening in all of our communities.
Resources for the Community
If you are in need of assistance, Congresswoman Escobar’s office has compiled the list of resources below for the community to have access to in the coming days. Additionally, to learn more about how you can help the victims and their families, please visit the City of El Paso’s website at www.elpasotexas.gov.
Victim Services Hotline
Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program
- Visit www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/crime-victims-compensation-program
Crisis Mental Health Hotline
Crisis Text Line
Veterans and Military Crisis Line
- Dial 1-800-273-8255 then press 1
Teen Line
- Dial 1-800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863
Disaster Distress Helpline
- Dial 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
If you have any other questions or need help with a federal agency, please contact my office at 915-541-1400 or visit www.escobar.house.gov/forms/casework/.
