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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee urging them to support and consider communities like El Paso in their deliberation on reforms to the Perimeter Rule to allow non-stop flights between El Paso International Airport (ELP) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

“On April 18, 2023, I testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure during the Member Day Hearing, where I shared how nonstop flights from ELP to DCA were a top priority for El Pasoans this FAA, as it has been for years now,” Congresswoman Escobar wrote. ”Earlier this year, I also co-sponsored the Direct Capital Access Act (DCA Act) that seeks to add 28 in- and beyond-perimeter daily flights at DCA in the 2023 FAA bill. This week, I urge you to support the compromise amendment, which I am proud to support, put forth by Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Burgess Owens (UT-04) to get more flights to communities beyond the perimeter while maintaining the existing flights out of DCA.”

She continued, “it is crucial to consider the interests and needs of communities that could significantly benefit from enhanced air connectivity to our nation’s capital throughout any deliberation on potential changes to the Perimeter Rule, which currently restricts the number of long-distance flights from DCA. I am proud to support El Paso, Texas, a binational community situated on the U.S.-Mexico border with a significant federal law enforcement and military presence, including the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the International Boundary and Water Commission, Joint Task Force North, in addition to being one of the busiest trade corridors in the country, as a prime candidate for the inclusion of non-stop flights to DCA.”

“El Paso stands as one of our nation’s most significant military and veteran communities. The region is home to Fort Bliss Army Base and White Sands Missile Range, the two largest Department of Defense (DoD) installations in the United States, which are home to nearly 100,000 Servicemembers and their Families, in addition to over 46,000 veterans in the region. The installations are central to military assets that play a crucial role in the training, deployment, and support of the U.S. Army's forces, including testing and development of military equipment and defense systems for the Department.”  

“El Paso’s role as a military community and driver of economic activity on the border and throughout the nation makes it a prime strategic location for exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) “Perimeter Rule”. Allowing non-stop flights between El Paso (ELP) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) would also meet the region’s increasing passenger demand. There are not currently any non-stop flights between ELP and DCA, the airport closest to the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, Quantico, and many other important sites for the military community in and around the nation’s capital,” Congresswoman Escobar concluded.

The full text of the letter can be found here and a letter from Fort Bliss leadership and from the City of El Paso can be found here and here respectively. 

Video of the Congresswoman’s remarks can be found here.