Dear [firstname],

I want to share some exciting updates on what I have been working on this week. If you would like to receive my newsletter, please click here.

NDAA FY21

After almost 12 hours of debate on July 1, the House Armed Services Committee unanimously advanced the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes several key provisions to provide our military the authorities and oversight necessary to achieve our collective security.

This year’s NDAA comes at a pivotal time for our nation and I am proud to have worked to craft and support legislation that strengthens our national security, while strengthening our military’s ability to respond to COVID-19, confronting our nation’s history, and fostering diversity.

VIDEO: Remarks during FY21 NDAA Markup

Although this legislation is not perfect and there is still much work to be done to increase accountability and honor our values, it sends a strong message in support of men and women in uniform in El Paso and across the globe. 

I’m honored to be a member of the House Armed Services Committee and to have the privilege of fighting for El Paso. To see the priorities I fought for in the FY21 bill, click here.

H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act

On July 1, I voted for H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act to rebuild our country and help communities like El Paso by creating jobs for working families, combating our climate crisis, and addressing long-standing disparities in Texas’ colonias. The Moving Forward Act is bold, innovative, forward-looking and will put our nation on the right path to finally modernizing our infrastructure.

The legislation includes two amendments I offered to improve infrastructure in El Paso colonias. The first amendment directs the Department of Transportation (DoT) to complete a study on the infrastructure state of colonias. The study would include information on surface, transit, water, and broadband infrastructure and would be due back to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation one year after the enactment of the Moving Forward Act.

The second amendment establishes the Colonias State of Good Repair Grant Program. This $10 million a year grant program will increase the state of good repair for surface infrastructure in and around colonias.

For more information about H.R. 2 and my amendments, click here.

H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Enhancement Act 

On June 29, I voted for H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act to build on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all El Pasoans.

In the midst of a pandemic, access to quality, affordable health care is more important than ever for hard-working families in El Paso and across the country. Since joining Congress, I have been fighting to expand coverage for all El Pasoans and to oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to sabotage the ACA. This vote delivers on my promise to strengthen access to high-quality, affordable health care, bring costs down, and address the stark racial disparities that have been exposed by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.

For more information about H.R. 1425, click here.

On June 30, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis unveiled the Solving the Climate Crisis report, a comprehensive congressional climate action framework that highlights H.R. 2759, the Department of Defense Climate Resiliency and Readiness Act, legislation I introduced to help combat the climate crisis.

Climate change is an urgent global crisis that demands a strong, swift, and science-based response – and that is exactly what this action plan does. We’ve wasted too much time already and need to be as bold as possible. As the Trump administration accelerates its assault on the environment, I am proud of this ambitious and detailed plan that reflects the will of El Pasoans and harnesses the ingenuity of our military to protect our public health, economy, national security, and values.

The Select Committee’s plan would put the country on a path to net-zero carbon pollution by 2050, if not earlier. It would power economic recovery through clean energy investment and family-sustaining jobs, and address the legacy of environmental injustice harming America’s low-income communities and communities of color.

Read the report here.

Staying Safe on the Fourth of July 

• Stay home if you are sick;
• Avoid gatherings in a group larger than 10 individuals (including those within the individual’s household);
• If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms, please take advantage of free testing near you;
• Wear a cloth face covering in public settings;
• Use social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others; and
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

For more information on staying safe, click here.

The safety and well-being of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov or by phone at 915-541-1400.

Sincerely,

Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress