Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Dear john,

Welcome to the weekly edition of my newsletter. Here you'll find recaps of some of the most important things that happened in Washington and El Paso, my reactions, and news I'd love to bring to your attention.

Video of the week:

This week, I signed a discharge petition to fully fund DHS agencies such as TSA, FEMA, and more.

We all want to ensure DHS personnel like TSA, FEMA, CISA and Coast Guard and others get paid. We only need a handful of Republicans to sign onto our bill to get these hard working employees paid.

Meanwhile, with an unprecedented $191 billion for ICE and Border Patrol, it’s clear the administration has plenty of money for its operations. We can vote on additional funding for those agencies when we get the reforms we need.

Until then, there’s no reason for Republicans to block paying everyone else.

You can watch the video by clicking the image below.

The Michael J Fox Foundation

Millions of families in El Paso and across the county are affected by Parkinson’s disease.

This week, I was grateful to meet with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to discuss what Congress can do to expand research and improve care for El Pasoans battling Parkinson's.

Military Leadership

This week, I met with senior enlisted leadership from across the United States military to discuss the challenges facing service members and their families ahead of the upcoming Quality of Life hearing.

El Paso is home to thousands of service members and military families who deserve not just our gratitude, but our support. From housing and compensation to VA benefits and access to services, Congress must ensure those who serve our country have the resources they need to thrive.

My Statement on Cesar Chavez

The credible allegations against Cesar Chavez for rape and sexual abuse are horrific. My heart is with the survivors who, for decades, have seen their abuser lauded as a hero.

As one of them says: "The movement — that’s the hero."

We will continue to uplift farmworkers and their families and celebrate their fight for justice and fairness. Chavez’s name should be removed from all our public landmarks and buildings, and I am eager to work with the community on next steps.

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or are experiencing distressing feelings, you are not alone. You can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or the suicide crisis hotline at 988.

Voting Against the Hypocritical Republican Messaging Proposal

This week, I voted against the hypocritical Republican effort to amend the Constitution and balance the federal budget offered by the party which voted to add trillions to our national debt in the last year alone.

If Republicans — who control every lever of the federal government — truly wanted to balance the federal budget, they could do so without changing the Constitution. Instead, they’ve chosen to explode our national debt by giving tax cuts to billionaires while seriously debating sending more money to the Pentagon for Trump’s war in Iran.

Republicans don’t suddenly get to gaslight the American people and ask that we forget what they stand for and who they prioritize with their power. Republicans should focus on being responsible with our tax dollars before passing meaningless, hypocritical messaging bills.

Read my full press release here.

In the news:

The Associated Press - ICE replaces contractor at largest detention camp after scrutiny of living conditions

KTSM - 2 Canutillo ISD students get nominations for military academies

Upcoming Events and Deadlines:

March Town Hall

Save the date for my next town hall on Saturday, March 28th at the Chapin High School Cafeteria at 10am.

Parking and Entrance: Please park in the lot off Ellerthorpe, located in front of the cafeteria.

Congressional Art Competition

I am excited to announce the launch of my 2026 Congressional Art Competition! The theme for this year's competition is "A Day in the Borderland" - a snapshot of a day in El Paso.

The deadline to submit artwork is April 1st. For eligibility and more information, visit my website.

Internships

The deadline for my Summer 2026 internships is March 22nd for Washington and April 3rd for El Paso. To apply or learn more, visit my website.

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.

Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress

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