news

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) sent a letter to the Secretaries of the Departments of Transportation, Defense, and Homeland Security demanding a classified briefing on the closure of air space in and around El Paso, Texas and Southern New Mexico earlier this week. 

The letter can be found in its entirety below and here: 

"Dear Secretary Duffy, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Noem,

"We write to you today with urgency concerning the significant impact of the closure of air space in and around El Paso, Texas and Southern New Mexico. In conjunction with on-going operations and activities along the southern border, these unprecedented Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) of airspace for 10 calendar days above the El Paso International Airport and in Southern New Mexico by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created widespread fear, uncertainty and chaos in the region while disrupting commercial, medical, private, and military aviation activities. This has also resulted in the rapid spreading of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

"Hours after the execution of the TFRs, the FAA withdrew the restrictions around El Paso and failed to provideany context or description as to the justification for any of their actions. And the TFR in Southern New Mexico remains in place, also without explanation.

"We are urgently requesting a classified briefing on what occurred, with representatives from your agencies made available to speak to the roles they played, acknowledge where the failed communication occurred, and share the steps you are taking to ensure a future crisis of this nature will not reoccur. Events like this are inexcusable and cause lasting degradation of trust among communities with their local and national leaders. We look forward to the briefing."