Dear john,
I recently asked you what my top priority should be. I value hearing directly from people like you, and I’m excited to share some of my actions on the issues most important to our community. In the survey, those of you that responded chose the following topics as the issues that should be my top priority: Gun Violence Prevention (21%), Immigration (17%), Inflation (12%), Democracy (11%), and Federal Funding for El Paso (9%).
Gun Violence Prevention
Common-sense gun violence prevention, such as requiring universal background checks and banning assault weapons, has been a top priority for me. Our community knows firsthand the cost of gun violence, and I’ve dedicated my time in Congress working to protect Americans. One of the first bills I co-sponsored in Congress was the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Since then, I have also
- Voted several times for assault weapons bans (H.R. 1808) and enhanced background checks
- Voted for the passage of the Protecting Our Kids Act
- Voted for the passage of the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act
- Voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which became the first gun violence prevention legislation signed into law in over 3 decades
- Introduced the Espaillat-Escobar Resolution, which declares gun violence a public health crisis
- Joined House Democrats in filing three discharge petitions - a maneuver used to bypass traditional procedures and rush legislation - for enhanced background checks, an assault weapons ban, and universal background checks last month
Immigration
Congress hasn’t reformed our antiquated immigration laws for 37 years! El Paso has witnessed firsthand the impact of a broken immigration system. That is why I’m proud to support and put forth policies that help progress comprehensive immigration reform. During my time in Congress, I have:
- Introduced the Dignity Act— a historic, bipartisan immigration reform bill which,
- It manages the border by reforming outdated immigration processes;
- It ensures Border Patrol agents are back out on the line instead of performing administrative and humanitarian tasks;
- It invests $10 billion in infrastructure and technology at our land ports of entry;
- It ensures El Pasoans don’t shoulder the cost of housing migrants by making the Shelter and Services Program permanent;
- It creates additional pathways to citizenship, including a path to citizenship for DREAMers, legal protections through the new Dignity program, Certified Agricultural Worker status, and an option to pursue citizenship through service in the armed forces for interested Dignity recipients;
- It establishes new pathways for asylum seekers and creates new regional processing centers in Latin America;
- It creates new legal pathways for economic migrants and unaccompanied minors.
- Cosponsored the Dream and Promise Act and the U.S. Citizenship Act
- Introduced the Homeland Security Improvement Act
Inflation
After COVID, all countries across the globe saw inflation climb. Thankfully, we are seeing falling inflation and rising wages as well as a record-number new jobs. But the work is not finished, which is why I supported legislation to address economic challenges we’ve been grappling with:
- As the only Member in our region who voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, I supported it because it will
- Voted for H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act
- Voted for H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act
- Voted for H.R. 8150, the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022
Democracy
Our founding fathers envisioned a country rooted in democratic values, a country in consistent pursuit of a more perfect union. Every person has a place in this country, and I'm proud to defend all Americans regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, or identity. During my time in Congress, I:
- Was an original cosponsor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
- Was an original cosponsor of the Equality Act
- Sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act
Federal Funding for El Paso
It is a top priority for me to bring resources to our community to make the federal government aware of El Paso’s needs. I am proud to have recently hosted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. During my time in Congress, I’ve:
- Voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has resulted in over $900 million in federal funds for El Paso, including $700 million for the Bridge of the Americans Port of Entry Modernization Project
- Brought back over $36 million to fund Community Projects, including the creation of a Crisis Intervention Team for El Paso County, the construction of solar-covered parking at the El Paso International Airport, and the establishment of a full-scale community kitchen for El Paso County
- And over $880 million to local governments and entities through the American Rescue Plan, which has helped the City, County and other local governments invest in our community.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out our survey and for your commitment to our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us should you need help with a federal agency or would like to share your priorities with me.
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