Trusted Traveler Program Transparency Act
Yesterday, I introduced the Trusted Traveler Program Transparency Act, legislation that creates much-needed transparency and standardized processes for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler Program.
The Trusted Traveler Program is a vital benefit that helps move people and traffic across our ports safely and efficiently. But despite the convenience of the program, a challenge for our community is that it has operated without transparency, leaving countless people, including many El Pasoans, frustrated and in the dark when their enrollment is revoked or their appeal denied without explanation. My legislation helps users by guaranteeing clear communication, written explanations, and a standardized review process for the thousands of El Pasoans who use programs like Sentri, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and more.
You can read the bill and my press release here.
Closure of Camp East Montana
This week, the Washington Post released a story that Camp East Montana is set to close.
The Trump administration has used El Paso as ground zero for its sick, twisted immigration enforcement policies for years, and Camp East Montana is no different. It represents the epitome of fraud, waste, abuse, and the exploitation of human suffering at the hands of private prison corporations and the Trump administration.
Camp East Montana should have never opened. The $1.24 billion cost for this facility could have been used for healthcare, nutrition programs, and a litany of other things to improve our society and our country. Instead, it promoted the dehumanization of immigrants and lined the pockets of a corrupt, incompetent private prison corporation.
While reports of its closure are cause for a sigh of relief, it does not mean an end to my determination to seek accountability, both for Acquisition Logistics and DHS. It also does not mean the Trump administration will not continue to exploit El Paso for their immigration enforcement purposes - including with the administration’s purchase of warehouses in Socorro. Our community must remain vigilant and committed to the continued fight while rejoicing that this dark chapter is over.
Military Operations in Iran
The war with Iran took an immediate and significant toll with the death of 6 American service members. We mourn the loss of these heroic individuals and send our prayers to their loved ones. The President has warned that more casualties are to come, flippantly telling Americans that "that's the way it is."
In Iran, hundreds of school children were slaughtered in the initial hours of this war and we have yet to hear the administration provide any explanation or express any compassion for these innocents.
In Congress, we’ve heard varying objectives for dragging America into this war, and the administration has yet to articulate an the end game; and, in its hubris and arrogance, the administration is treating the American people and Congress as an afterthought.
Here at home, Americans are bracing for higher fuel costs resulting from this war, while utility costs, groceries and the general cost of living continue to escalate. Donald Trump promised he would lower costs on "day one" and prevent more endless wars. Not only has he turned his back on those promises, but he’s made the economy worse with his tariffs and cuts to healthcare, nutrition programs and more.
I voted yes because the Constitution is clear: only Congress can declare war. Those who voted "no" sent a message that the Trump administration has their blessing to bypass the Constitution.
Protecting Your Privacy
I joined more than 70 of my congressional colleagues in calling for a new investigation of DHS agencies, including ICE, over warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data.
You can read the full letter here.
