In case you missed it this week:
Securing Millions in Federal Funding for El Paso
Yesterday, I voted to pass an appropriations package that includes important wins for El Paso, rejects the Trump Administration’s plan to eviscerate public services through $163 billion in cuts, and puts meaningful guardrails in place to ensure the Administration can’t, again, withhold federal funding from several programs critical to our community.
Community stakeholders in El Paso have made it clear that indiscriminate cuts by the Trump Administration hurt their ability to deliver services and support to our community. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, it’s been my priority to restore and protect the funding that goes to organizations that invest in affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, public health, accessible childcare, and more, as well as to place guardrails into law that prevents the administration from taking funding away. This spending package does that and also delivers on projects I fought hard to fund in our community.
You can learn more about this important funding by reading my full press release here.
Investing in Fort Bliss and Our Servicemembers
The same legislative package mentioned above also included funding for the Department of Defense. This legislation invests in Fort Bliss, gives a well-deserved pay raise to servicemembers, and works to grow El Paso’s defense manufacturing ecosystem.
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, one of my priorities is a funding bill that supports our servicemembers and Fort Bliss. This legislation invests in the pay, benefits, training, and readiness of the men and women in uniform. Representing Fort Bliss is an incredible honor and I will continue to ensure this great installation and our servicemembers receive the funding and support needed.
You can learn more about the funding and locals wins by reading my full press release here.
My Statement on the Homicide Ruling at Camp East Montana
DHS Secretary Noem and ICE Director Lyons have an obligation to provide Congress with a thorough briefing on the circumstances of the confirmed murder of a detainee at Camp East Montana.
Witnesses claim staff killed the detainee; DHS must preserve all evidence - including halting their effort to deport the witnesses.
I reiterate my call for Camp East Montana to be shut down and for the contract with the corporation running it to be terminated.
Additional ICE Detention Facilities in El Paso
A private corporation received nearly $30 million through a no-bid federal contract to help design more detention space, including another facility in El Paso. Donald Trump and Republicans have been using American taxpayer funds to enrich these private corporations that are responsible for Trump’s mass deportation efforts, including the corporation operating Camp East Montana that limits adequate oversight, has become increasingly fatal, and does not meet minimum standards for detaining human beings.
The existing facilities need to be shut down - not proliferated.
The $170 billion in funding for these corporate-run tent cities comes from the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This Republican law cut healthcare and nutrition programs for hard-working Americans in order to give the wealthiest Americans massive tax breaks and fund these tent cities and the gestapo-like tactics we are seeing across the country that target U.S. citizens and legal residents.
The Average American Family Spent $1,600 More During the First Year of the Trump Administration than in 2024
The Joint Economic Committee released a new report this week finding that families spent $1,625 more on average due to inflation during the first year of the Trump administration than in 2024.
Despite his promises to end inflation on Day One, Donald Trump and his policies have directly contributed to rising costs across the country. From his devastating tariffs on the American people to his refusal to extend health insurance tax credits and more, Trump’s sole preoccupation is enriching his billionaire donors and friends at our expense.
You can read my full press release and the report itself here.
El Paso Warming Centers
Weather reports are forecasting a cold spell in the El Paso area over the
next several days, and the city is opening warming centers for residents in need. For locations and more information, visit their website here.
In the news:
El Paso Times - 5 major community projects in El Paso funded by Congress
El Paso Matters - How El Paso almost lost millions in federal grants to resend to mental health care, addiction
As always, your thoughts and concerns guide my work every day. If there's any other content or ideas you have for this newsletter, please never hesitate to share them with me by clicking the link here.
