Escobar, Veronica RSS Articles

Congresswoman Escobar Announces Fall 2026 Youth Opportunities

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the Office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced leadership opportunities and ways for teens and young adults to get involved in public service and the community.

The Congressional App Challenge (CAC)

The Congressional App Challenge is hosted by Members of Congress for middle school and high school students to encourage participation in STEM education, develop coding skills, and create original applications that better their communities. The Congressional App Challenge is one of the most prestigious national prizes for students in computer science.

The CAC is open to middle and high school students who reside in or attend school in the 16th Congressional District of Texas. The deadline to apply is October 26, 2026 at 5pm MT. To learn more, click here.

The Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC)

CYAC offers a unique opportunity for student to learn about the federal government, debate policy, and participate in an interactive experience. The CYAC works with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s office to research topics and bills while collaborating alongside their peers.

All students living in the district and in grades 10-12 are eligible to apply. The deadline to submit an application is September 15, 2026 at 5pm. To learn more, click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Congresswoman Escobar hosts an annual Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest.

The contest is open to current middle school students (Grades 6-8) residing in the TX-16 Congressional District. The deadline to submit an essay is September 20th at 5pm. For more information, click here.

Service Academy Nomination

Each year, Congresswoman Escobar has the privilege of nominating a limited number of extraordinary high schoolers to four of the five service academies.

The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. The deadline to apply is October 12, 2026 at 5pm MT. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For more information, click here.

Congresswoman Escobar offers leadership opportunities and competitions year-round for teens and young adults in El Paso. El Pasoans are encouraged to subscribe to her newsletter, check her website, and follow her social media pages @repescobar to stay informed.

Amid Soaring Utility Bills, Congresswoman Escobar Renews Call for Legislative Package to Lower Energy Costs

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

As El Paso families continue to face rising utility bills and extreme temperatures, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) is renewing her call for Congress to advance a package of legislation that would strengthen utility oversight, expand energy assistance, and lower costs by accelerating access to affordable, reliable clean energy.

Congresswoman Escobar supports three bills aimed at addressing the energy affordability crisis from multiple angles: the Lowering Utility Bills Act, led by Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35); the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, led by Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03); and the Energy Bills Relief Act, led by Congressmen Mike Levin (CA-49) and Sean Casten (IL-06).

“Families should not have to choose between keeping the lights on, cooling their homes during dangerous heat, and paying for other basic necessities,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “At a time when utility bills are rising, Congress should be focused on delivering meaningful relief—not protecting excessive utility profits or making it harder and more expensive to build the affordable energy our communities need. This legislative package would increase accountability, expand assistance for families struggling with energy costs, and invest in the reliable, low-cost renewable energy that can help bring bills down over the long term.”

The Lowering Utility Bills Act would establish stronger federal and state standards governing how electric transmission providers and investor-owned utilities calculate their authorized rates of return. By increasing oversight and accountability in the rate-setting process, the legislation seeks to ensure that consumers are not forced to pay unnecessarily high utility bills to support excessive returns for utility companies.

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act would expand and modernize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), helping more low-income households afford heating and cooling costs. The legislation would better account for the growing risks and financial burdens associated with extreme weather—an especially urgent need in communities like El Paso, where prolonged and dangerous heat can make access to affordable cooling a matter of public health and safety.

The Energy Bills Relief Act would prioritize working families by driving down energy costs as President Trump’s war of choice with Iran causes global energy market volatility. Specifically, the legislation would reinstate the 2022 clean energy tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were eliminated by President Trump and congressional Republicans, helping families reduce their energy use and lower their utility bills. It would also incentivize utility companies to improve the efficiency of their energy systems, reward cost-saving investments, provide financial assistance to help prevent families from having their power shut off, and crack down on price gouging by energy companies. The bill would ensure that large energy users—including data centers—pay their fair share of the costs associated with the energy they consume rather than shifting those expenses onto local households. It would also strengthen opportunities for communities to have a voice in energy projects and share in the benefits those projects bring.

These efforts come as the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have worked to dismantle clean energy tax credits and slow the deployment of renewable energy. The Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act accelerated the phaseout of key clean energy incentives, including credits that helped families invest in energy-efficient home improvements and residential clean energy. The Trump administration has also stalled the permitting process for several renewable energy projects, including offshore wind projects in Texas, creating uncertainty for projects that could help expand affordable electricity generation and reduce costs for consumers.

Congresswoman Escobar Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Military Child Care and Expand Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) introduced the Military Spouse Employment and Child Care Readiness Act, legislation that would direct the Department of Defense to identify ways to strengthen the military child care workforce while creating meaningful employment opportunities for military spouses.

“Supporting our servicemembers means supporting their families,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Military spouses often sacrifice their own careers, stability, and opportunities every time they answer the call and have to start over in a new community. The Military Spouse Employment and Child Care Readiness Act provides a crucial first step toward removing unnecessary barriers to employment for military spouses, strengthening military child care, and ensuring military families have the support they need to thrive."

Military families frequently relocate wherever the mission requires, often requiring spouses to rebuild their careers and navigate new licensing, certifications, or other requirements. At the same time, staffing shortages at military child development centers can limit the number of children who receive care. Together, these challenges prevent military spouses from entering the workforce, strain family finances, and make it more difficult for active-duty servicemembers to balance the demands of their service with the basic needs of their families.

By examining barriers and opportunities, the Military Spouse Employment and Child Care Readiness Act would pave the way for Department of Defense-supported career pathways that can follow military spouses between installations and expand the network of qualified child care providers serving military communities. It endorsed by the Military Family Advisory Network.

Specifically, the legislation would direct the Department of Defense to:

Determine the percentage of military child development center employees who are military spouses or spouses of retired or separated servicemembers
Assess the feasibility of making child care licenses and certifications more portable for military spouses
Examine vacancy rates at military child development centers and identify the primary causes of staffing shortages
Determine how many additional children could receive care if military child development centers were fully staffed
Assess whether military spouses living in on-post housing could provide home-based child care
Recommend incentives to attract and retain military spouses in the military child care workforce.

To view the full bill text, click here.

TRANSCRIPT: Congresswoman Escobar Opposes Additional Funding for War in Iran, Speaks on House Floor

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) spoke on the House Floor against the nearly $100 billion request by the Trump administration for the war in Iran.

Video of her remarks can be found here, and a transcript can be found below:

Congresswoman Escobar: Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member [Brendan Boyle]. And thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise in strong opposition to this bill. Every day, Americans are being confronted with skyrocketing prices at the gas pump and at the grocery store. And this bill does absolutely nothing to address the economic crisis created by Donald Trump’s economic policies, including his tariffs and an illegal war.

Instead, Republicans in Congress are dumping nearly $100 billion into the budget to fund this illegal war.

$100 billion.

That could pay the salaries of 1 million elementary school teachers. It could pay for medical care for 7 million veterans. It's enough to fund nearly ten years of school lunches for every child and so much more.

Budgets are representative of our values and our priorities, and it is absolutely clear that neither the president nor congressional Republicans value or prioritize the needs of the American public.

Americans want a Congress that is willing to fix the economy that Donald Trump broke. We are willing every day of the week to do that hard work to come together to address these pressing issues. But $100 billion for something Americans don't want? We have to reject it.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member. And thank you, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

Congresswoman Escobar Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement:

"The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills Congress considers each year, and, as a former member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I have tremendous respect for the bipartisan work HASC has done for decades to support our national security and our servicemembers. The United States faces real threats, and we need to make sure our military has the resources, training, and support it's needs. But supporting our national defense also means being responsible with taxpayer dollars and having a clear strategy for how we keep our country safe.

"Congress should not be authorizing massive levels of defense spending while the President launches our country into another conflict without a clear strategy, a defined objective, or a meaningful debate with Congress about the use of military force. We cannot give a blank check to an administration that is recklessly expanding our involvement in another war while Republicans continue to cut critical domestic programs and pass tax breaks for the wealthy here at home.

"Additionally, Republicans ensured several provisions were included in the bill that are red lines for me. Policies that attack LGBTQ+ servicemembers and their families, make firearms more accessible on base, exacerbate voter suppression, expand U.S. military support for Israel by deepening defense technology cooperation and integrating defense supply chains, and more.

"I am proud of the provisions I was able to secure in this bill, including three of my bills: the Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act, JROTC POWER Act, and Military Spouse Employment and Child Care Readiness Act. But those important provisions do not outweigh my concerns about the bill’s overall spending levels, the Administration’s war of choice with Iran, and the process surrounding its passage. For those reasons, I voted against final passage."

Congresswoman Escobar Votes Against Watered-Down Republican Attempt at Stock Trading

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement in response to the watered down stock trading legislation put forth by Republicans:

“Members of Congress should not engage in stock trading; I don’t do it, never have, and support legislation to stop it. If Republicans were serious about ending insider trading that allows Members of Congress to enrich themselves, they would bring a bill to the floor that creates true reform.

“Instead, the Republican proposal not only literally fails to ban stock trading, but is paired with a voter suppression bill that targets married women who have changed their last name, making voting for these women extremely difficult, and in some cases, likely impossible. They aren’t just unserious about banning stock trading, but they’re trying to gaslight the American public. I voted no on their bill.”

Representatives Escobar, Alford Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Cut Red Tape and Accelerate Military Construction

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) was joined by Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO) in introducing the bipartisan Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act, legislation that would examine how the Department of Defense can expand the use of Intergovernmental Support Agreements to complete minor military construction projects faster and at a lower cost.

“At Fort Bliss and installations across the country, servicemembers should not have to wait years for the facilities and infrastructure they need because of outdated red tape, and taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay millions more in construction costs because of it, either,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “I have been working to reform the outdated military construction process in order to make it less costly and bring more projects to fruition. My legislation lays the groundwork to give installation commanders greater flexibility to use strong local partnerships for minor construction projects. That means faster and more affordable construction, increased partnerships with local governments, and a better quality of life for our servicemembers.”

“Modernizing our military infrastructure doesn’t always require reinventing the wheel; we can make smarter use of the tools we already have. This legislation takes a practical, data-driven approach to see how partnerships with state and local governments can help deliver projects faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost to taxpayers. I’m proud to co-lead this commonsense first step toward broader reform that puts accountability, efficiency, and mission readiness front and center,” said Congressman Mark Alford

"For years, ADC has advocated for expanding the flexibility and use of Intergovernmental Support Agreements as a proven tool for strengthening military installations and the communities that support them,” said Tom Ford, ADC President. “We applaud Rep. Escobar and Rep Alford for their leadership in advancing this legislation and look forward to working with Congress and the Department of Defense to identify opportunities that improve installation resilience, readiness, and infrastructure delivery."

Intergovernmental Support Agreements, or IGSAs, allow military installations to partner with state and local governments to meet installation needs. The legislation would direct the Department of Defense to assess the feasibility of using these agreements for unspecified minor military construction projects, which can be completed without individual congressional authorization. Expanding this flexibility could help installation commanders reduce unnecessary delays, lower construction costs, and address infrastructure needs that directly affect military readiness and servicemembers’ quality of life.

Specifically, the Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act would:

Require the Assistant Secretaries responsible for installations for the Army, Navy, and Air Force to assess the feasibility of using IGSAs to carry out unspecified minor military construction projects
Examine increasing the maximum project thresholds under IGSA authority from $9 million to $18 million for laboratory revitalization projects and from $4 million to $8 million for projects funded through Operation and Maintenance accounts; and
Require the Department of Defense to identify up to 10 military construction projects that could be eligible to use this expanded authority.

To view the full bill text, click here.

Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Bad Faith, Partisan Funding Deal

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Tonight, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement in response to the bad faith, partisan funding deal put forth by Republicans:

"For the last two years, House Republicans have not meaningfully engaged with Democrats in discussions about funding our government. Because they control every lever of government - the House, Senate and White House - Republicans consistently choose to go it alone. But when the time comes time to bring their funding bills to the floor for a vote, they suddenly no longer want to go it alone and expect House Democrats to blindly support their funding bills.

"This evening, Republicans put a bill on the floor to fund the government through December 4th, with the potential to add millions more funding for Customs Border Protection when, as of June 1st, this agency still has $59 billion available. Meanwhile, the American people are struggling to pay for groceries, utilities and gas — all because of Trump’s tariffs and his illegal war — and we should be working together to address these crises and help our constituents, not throwing more money at agencies that currently have billions available. I'm voting 'no.'

"This isn’t how government should function and as an appropriator, I urge my Republican colleagues to work with us and earn our votes."

Congresswoman Escobar Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Eminent Domain of Mt. Cristo Rey

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) introduced the Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act, legislation to prohibit the federal government from exercising eminent domain at Mount Cristo Rey, a sacred religious site that has served the El Paso and Southern New Mexico area since 1939.

This legislation follows the Trump Administration’s announcement that it intends to seize approximately 14 acres of land surrounding the base of Mount Cristo Rey to extend the southern border wall. Owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, Mount Cristo Rey is a significant religious and cultural landmark, welcoming more than 40,000 pilgrims and visitors each year for Good Friday and other religious observances.

“Mount Cristo Rey is a religious and cultural landmark that has been central to our community for generations," said Congresswoman Escobar. "Rather than working with border communities to advance effective border security, the Trump Administration continues to disregard the people, history, and culture that make our region special. I will continue to fight for its preservation.”

“For almost 100 years Mount Cristo Rey has been an iconic sacred site in our borderland region," said El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz. "The mountain, with its 29-foot statue of Christ, is visible for many miles and stands at the border of two countries and three states. It has become for people in our region a holy site marking the unity of humanity and of faith that transcends borders. For the federal government to forcefully take this holy ground to build a tall barrier topped with razor wire would represent an overreach on the part of the government and create a sign that speaks, not of mutual respect and love, but of separation and rejection. As the Bishop of El Paso I support this Bill which would call the federal government to set aside a heavy-handed abuse of power against this sacred place. I am confident that through negotiation with the rightful owners of the property, the Church of Las Cruces, solutions can be found to provide for the deterrence of unauthorized entry into this country while at the same time preserving the integrity of Mount Cristo Rey."

"For generations, the faithful from the cities, farms and villages of the borderland have climbed Mount Cristo Rey and united as a single community for prayer and celebration at the feet of Christ the King," said Las Cruces Bishop Peter Baldacchino. "In a world fractured by political, racial and economic divisions, Mount Cristo Rey stands out as both a powerful symbol of hope and peace and a literal pathway to unity. We are grateful for the actions of Rep. Escobar and other legislators in helping to preserve this important site for generations to come."

The Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act builds on Congresswoman Escobar’s ongoing efforts to protect Mount Cristo Rey. During the House Appropriations Committee consideration of the Fiscal Year 2027 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, Rep. Escobar offered an amendment to prohibit the use of federal funds to construct a border wall at Mount Cristo Rey. This amendment was rejected by House Republicans.

Specifically, the Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act would:

Recognize Mount Cristo Rey as a holy site

Prohibit the use of federal funds to litigate against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces in its lawsuit challenging the federal government’s attempted land seizure

Prohibit the use of federal funds to construct, install, operate, or maintain border barrier infrastructure on or near Mount Cristo Rey

To view the full bill text, click here.

Congresswoman Escobar Statement Following Dangerous Trump Speech to Cast Doubt on Election Safety

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after Donald Trump gave a rambling, dangerous speech from the White House:

“Since the 2020 election, more than 60 judges – some of whom Trump appointed – rejected lawsuits challenging the results. Numerous recounts and audits have only reaffirmed that he lost. Prominent Republicans and members of his own administration disputed every single one of his claims.

“Trump knows he lost in 2020. Tonight’s rambling speech by the President was about casting doubt on the upcoming elections in November. He is laying the groundwork to overturn the results of the midterms if Republicans lose power, which is widely expected to happen.

“Voters in El Paso and across the country must remain vigilant. The only cure to a president cosplaying as a king and his loyal party, only too eager to look away, is for the people to defend our democracy. Our country, our institutions, and our rights are under attack; it’s up to us to put a stop to this in November.”

In addition to voting in November, voters can be involved in their communities by knowing their voting rights or signing up to be a poll worker. You can learn more at vote.gov.

Federal Services Resource Fair

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

August 2025 Town Hall

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Congressional Office Hours with the Small Business Administration

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:30:00 GMT

Congressional Office Hours with Sentri/Global Entry Program

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 14:30:00 GMT

July 21, 2025 Tele-Town Hall

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 22:00:00 GMT

I'd like to invite you to join me on Monday, July 21st at 6pm MT for a live tele-town hall. With so much news over the last few weeks, I wanted to take some time to share my latest updates with you and answer your questions.

You can watch along on my Facebook page, or dial in at 866-478-3483 in English or 855-962-1021 in Spanish.

More Information:

The Republican Spending Bill
The Dignity Act
Impoundment
Republican Cuts: Rescissions

June 7th In-Person Town Hall

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) for her an in-person town hall on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. MT at the Horizon High School Cafeteria.

This town hall is free and open to the public. El Pasoans can join this conversation on Facebook Live. El Pasoans can sign up to receive a reminder and submit their questions ahead of the event here.

For questions or more information, please contact Congresswoman Escobar’s office at (915) 541-1400.

Congressional Office Hours with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Congressional Office Hours with USCIS

Fri, 09 May 2025 18:00:00 GMT

March 29th In-Person Town Hall

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) for her an in-person town hall on Saturday, March 29, at 9 a.m. MT at the Eastwood High School Auditorium.

For questions or more information, please contact Congresswoman Escobar’s office at (915) 541-1400 or Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov.

Congressional Mobile Office Hours with the El Paso Passport Agency

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:30:00 GMT