My Remarks on Camp East Montana, GAO Report, Mt. Cristo Rey, and More During Homeland Security Appropriations Committee Markup
On Wednesday, I spoke during the House Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Homeland Security Bill. In my remarks, I spoke on seven amendments. I spoke in support of an amendment banning construction of a wall at Big Bend National Park. I also spoke on the six amendments I proposed, two of which were accepted and included into the legislation.
After the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that was published earlier this week found evidence related to the homicide was “destroyed or went missing, I offered an amendment provided to direct the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to submit a report to the Appropriations Committee detailing the findings of the criminal report and OPR’s investigation into the homicide at Camp East Montana. This amendment was accepted.
Additionally, as a result of the GAO report that contractors were paid millions in taxpayer dollars for meals that were not needed, I offered an amendment to direct ICE to recover the funds it overpaid to contractors for meal services at Camp East Montana. This amendment was also accepted.
You read or watch my full remarks, here.
My Remarks on SAMHSA Funding, Office of Language Acquisition Funding During Appropriations Committee Debate
I spoke during the House Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. I offered two amendments.
My first amendment sought to prohibit the temporary or permanent withholding of appropriated funds for SAMHSA funds to grantees that have received notice of their official grant award. This came after the Trump administration’s decision to withhold SAMHSA funding - and then reverse their decision - impacted organizations in El Paso. This amendment was rejected by Republicans.
My second amendment sought to ensure funding for the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) maintained its federal funding levels. OELA provides national leadership to help ensure that English learners and immigrant students attain English proficiency and achieve academic success. Republicans rejected my amendment and completely defunded this office, and because school districts, regardless of funding, are required by law to provide these programs, this means there’ll be an additional financial burden on districts.
You read or watch my full remarks, here.
My Statement on GAO Report About “Waste and Performance Issues” at Camp East Montana
A loaded gun taken onto a military installation by a private contractor who lost this weapon; evidence in a homicide investigation that was destroyed; tens of millions of taxpayer dollars paid in this no-bid contract that funded services not rendered. These are just a few of the explosive details revealed in a GAO report about the $1.3 billion tent city known as Camp East Montana. These findings confirm some of what I have been sounding the alarm about since it first opened ten months ago, but incredulously, doesn’t come close to identifying everything I’ve discovered and shared with the public during my oversight visits.
Camp East Montana needs to be shut down, the contractor investigated, the crime of destruction of evidence referred to law enforcement, and Republicans should work with us to redirect these funds to meet the needs of hardworking Americans.
Read my full statement, here.
My Statement on Republican Reconciliation 2.0
Republicans are asking taxpayers to hand ICE and CBP another $70 billion, even though the Department of Homeland Security still has roughly $100 billion from the so-called 'One Big Beautiful Bill.’ I voted NO.
In communities like El Paso, we've already seen how that money is being spent: on massive detention facilities, no-bid contracts, and warehouses being converted into immigrant detention centers while serious concerns about oversight, conditions, and accountability remain.
Budgets reflect our priorities. This bill puts billions more toward an approach that has already raised serious questions about rampant abuse, lack of oversight, and effectiveness while completely ignoring the needs of the American people. I strongly oppose it.
Read my full statement, here.
