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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) in co-leading a bicameral letter which was sent to the Chairpersons and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as they begin conference negotiations on the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Read more »

"We are taking a moment from the time we’ve been spending with families and the community of El Paso to make a statement about the decision announced earlier today by United States Attorney John Bash, who confirmed that the Department of Justice would be investigating the massacre in our community as domestic terrorism. But before we do that, we must make some acknowledgements. First,… Read more »

“Today, 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. We mourn for the victims and everyone involved. Read more »

This legislation gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 by 2025 and, according to an independent economic analysis from the Economic Policy Institute, increases wages for nearly 151,000 El Paso workers and lifts millions of workers and children across the country out of poverty: Read more »

The Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act would prevent the Trump administration from deporting the immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings) of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans who served in active duty who were discharged in conditions other than dishonorable, and servicemembers who died in the line of duty if they have not committed a serious crime. Read more »

H.R. 2203, the Homeland Security Improvement Act addresses our nation’s immigration challenges at the southern border by ensuring accountability and oversight within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). After the favorable Committee markup of her legislation, Congresswoman Escobar issued the following statement: Read more »

“Today the House of Representatives delivered a strong National Defense Authorization Act providing essential support to our deserving men and women in uniform. The legislation includes a 3.1% pay raise for our service members and incorporates ideas from both sides of the aisle,” said Congresswoman Escobar. Read more »

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on The Trump Administration’s Child Separation Policy: Substantiated Allegations of Mistreatment. Below are the Leader’s remarks as delivered: Read more »

According to media reports, women trainees were penalized and dismissed at significantly higher rates than their male counterparts and subjected to sexist and inappropriate comments and behavior. One trainee was discharged from the Academy for lacking emotional maturity because she disagreed with her instructor, while a male trainee who had an emotional outburst after receiving instructor critique was not sanctioned for his behavior and was allowed to graduate. Another trainee was subjected to sexually charged comments by her male instructors, including instructors stating women needed to take birth control to control their moods. Yet another trainee, an African American woman, was labeled “spaghetti head” in reference to her braids. Read more »

“I was ready to end this inhumanity by voting for legislation that would uphold our American values and bring relief to El Pasoans during this challenging time. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell refused to increase accountability and oversight and address our challenges at our southern border. Today, Congress should have done and could have done better.” Read more »