Escobar, Veronica RSS Articles

Congresswoman Escobar Urges TCEQ to Provide More Information on Marathon Refinery Incident

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Chairwoman Brooke Paup requesting that TCEQ answer questions about the Marathon Refinery Incident from earlier this month. This letter to the TCEQ follows the Congresswoman's call on the EPA to investigate the incident.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Chairwoman Paup:

I write as a follow up to my letter to the EPA regarding the Marathon Petroleum emissions event on August 4–5, 2026 and the refinery’s compliance with its air permit and its communication with surrounding communities and local officials.

Initial reports filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) showed that the release of pollutants was approximately 8,897.9 pounds of propylene, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 19.1 pounds of 1,3-butadiene, all exceeding permitted allowances. New reports filed with TCEQ show that emissions from Marathon Petroleum continued for three days and that pollutants emitted included 10,066 pounds of propylene and a little under 1,600 pounds of sulfur dioxide, more than the initial reports and all exceeding permitted allowances. Exposures to these gases are both an environmental and public health concern.

Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions remain a concern. I ask that TCEQ provide answers to the following questions as soon as possible:

Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?
When did Marathon notify TCEQ, and what information did it provide?
Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?
Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by TCEQ or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?
What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?
Has TCEQ independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?
What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does TCEQ believe is warranted?

El Paso residents need fast, transparent communication when dangerous pollutants threaten their community. It is crucial that TCEQ holds Marathon fully accountable for violations and implements safeguards to stop these incidents from happening again. Please ensure my office is kept in the loop on all investigation and enforcement proceedings related to the Marathon refinery.

Thank you for your swift attention to this matter, and I look forward to working together to protect El Paso and El Pasoans.

Congresswoman Escobar Celebrates Rep. Salazar’s Vatican Meeting on the Bipartisan Dignity Act

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), co-author of the Dignity Act, released the following statement on Representative María Salazar’s Trip to the Vatican to meet with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV:

"I’m thrilled that my colleague and legislative partner, Rep. Salazar, spoke with Pope Leo XIV about our legislation, the Dignity Act.

"Pope Leo has affirmed again and again the dignity of all people, and the need for humane immigration policies in the U.S. He has been steadfast in his conviction and faith that we can and must do better; Congresswoman Salazar and I welcome his consideration of our bill.

"And I, again, am pleading with our colleagues to support the Dignity Act, the only bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House. It’s been four decades of Congressional inaction that has led us to the tragedies occurring before our very eyes every day. If both sides continue to wait for the perfect bill or the perfect moment, vulnerable people and our national economy will continue to suffer."

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“It was a profound honor to speak with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV about immigration at such a consequential moment for our country,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “For decades, Washington has debated this issue while millions of families have continued to live with uncertainty. I was grateful for the opportunity to place the DIGNITY Act in the Holy Father’s hands and to share the work we are doing to find a lasting way forward.”

Congresswoman Escobar Visits FCI La Tuna

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after visiting Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) La Tuna:

"My team and I just completed our oversight visit at La Tuna, which has been slated to be shut down next year, leaving hundreds of federal employees without their jobs and even more detainees whose families and lawyers are here in this community to be shuttled elsewhere across the country.

"I can share that there are infrastructure improvements that are necessary at La Tuna. We have infrastructure needs at nearly every federal facility - all over the country. I did not see evidence of why this facility needs to be shut down. We were told it would require $80 million of investment to fix HVAC, the roof and the plumbing. Meanwhile, for context, taxpayers are sending $1.24 billion to Camp East Montana, a tent city that still hasn’t met federal standards.

"Budgets are about our values. My focus is retaining these jobs and making sure we address the needs here at La Tuna. I look forward to meeting with employees of La Tuna later tonight."

Congresswoman Escobar Calls for EPA to Investigate Marathon Refinery Incident

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason strongly urging the agency to launch an investigation into last week's incident at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in El Paso.

The full letter can be found here or below:

Dear Administrator Zeldin and Regional Administrator Mason:

I write to express serious concern regarding the significant air emissions event at Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso Refinery on August 4–5, 2026 and the refinery’s compliance with its air permit and its communication with surrounding communities and local officials.

According to reports filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), a process upset involving the refinery’s fluid catalytic cracker resulted in the release of approximately 8,897.9 pounds of propylene, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 19.1 pounds of 1,3-butadiene, all exceeding permitted allowances. The reported sulfur dioxide emissions alone were 3,591 times the permitted limit.

During the incident, residents were not notified of the source of emissions and reported strong petroleum-like odors, illness, lightheadedness, and having to leave their homes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that exposure to sulfur dioxide can affect both health and the environment and the National Cancer Institute has shown 1,3-butadiene is a human carcinogen.

Equally concerning, local community leaders, including County Commissioner David Stout were not directly notified by Marathon when the incident began. He reportedly received information only after contacting the refinery himself and was subsequently assured that air monitoring had detected no health risks and that the situation had been resolved. In a similar response, City Council Representative Josh Acevedo is calling on Marathon representatives to appear before the El Paso City Council to explain the situation.

This apparent disconnect raises serious questions about Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions.

There is also a broader history of federal Clean Air Act enforcement involving Marathon and petroleum-refining operations. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously taken enforcement action involving Marathon facilities for alleged Clean Air Act violations, including violations involving refinery flaring and excess emissions.

I therefore strongly urge the EPA to launch an investigation into the incident and provide answers to the following:

Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?
When did Marathon notify EPA and TCEQ, and what information did it provide?
Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?
Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by the EPA, TCEQ, or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?
What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?
Has EPA independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?
What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does EPA believe is warranted?

Residents of El Paso deserve timely and accurate information when hazardous pollutants are released into their community. EPA and Region 6 must ensure that Marathon is held accountable for any violations and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.

Please provide a written response addressing these questions and copies of relevant inspection reports, notices of violation, monitoring data, correspondence, and other records related to the August 4–5 incident by August 31, 2026. I also request that my office be kept informed of any investigation or enforcement action concerning Marathon’s El Paso Refinery.

I continue to support the contested case hearing scheduled for this fall to review Marathon’s air permit, building on the public comments I submitted in 2023 opposing renewal of the refinery’s TCEQ permit and calling for greater accountability and protection of public health. I look forward to your prompt response and to working with EPA and Region 6 to protect the health and safety of El Paso residents.

Congresswoman Escobar Announces Socorro Warehouses Will No Longer Be Used by ICE

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement announcing that the Socorro warehouses have been transferred to the General Services Administration (GSA) and will no longer be used by ICE:

"I’m pleased to announce that the Department of Homeland Security will be putting the Socorro warehouses up for sale and they will no longer be used by the federal government for detention purposes.

"The community of Socorro has been working on an economic development vision and plan to grow their economy while embracing their rich history. The community has also faced challenges with water, wastewater, and general infrastructure, making the purchase of these facilities for detention a terrible idea to begin with, threatening their ability to execute on their future plans and growth.

"My team and I have worked diligently to elevate these issues within DHS and ICE and ensure that the voices of our community were heard. My priority is to work with Socorro leadership to support our shared constituents and their needs. This news will help all of us focus on that path ahead instead of the greater challenges a massive detention facility would bring. I will continue to productively advocate for our community and what is in the best interests of all of us."

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.

Congresswoman Escobar Statement Remembering August 3rd

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement marking seven years since the Walmart shooting on August 3rd, 2019:

"Every El Pasoan knows where they were on August 3rd, 2019. Today remains a solemn day, and despite the passing of time, seven years later our community continues to feel the pain, loss, and devastation from the senseless violence of that day.

"I know that many continue to live with the ongoing trauma of that day, and we must continue to be supportive as the journey toward healing continues. While we remember the 23 loved ones taken from us, I remain grateful for how our city came together in the days, months and years since.

"I’m thinking today of those families still mourning their loved ones, and of the El Pasoans who struggle with their injuries, both visible and invisible."

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.

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