A Month in Review: August Congressional Update

Dear john,

I'm proud to share that President Joe Biden will provide targeted student debt relief to working- and middle-class families. This powerful step, which will continue to grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, supports hard-working people, puts money back in their pockets, and changes the lives of as many as 43 million Americans.

I applaud the President for this long overdue action that lifts up working people and will help thousands of El Pasoans, who have been held back from reaching their full potential for too long. Education is the great equalizer and targeted student debt forgiveness demonstrates the President’s commitment to fighting for working families and providing equal opportunities for all.

I already know this decision will have a tremendous impact in El Paso. Did you know that 55% of UTEP students are Pell Grant recipients? This means that over half of UTEP grads could see up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness.

To learn more about the parameters of the Biden-Harris Administration's Student Debt Relief Plan, please click here.

I was joined by Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo back in our hometown for visits to Fort Bliss, Castner Range, and UTEP on August 16th and 17th.

These two days were filled with events in the community, where we held roundtables, toured important sites at Fort Bliss and UTEP, and met with several groups of servicemembers, their families, and UTEP students. At UTEP, we were proud to announce a new partnership with the Army that funds 50 new internships and expands our talent pipeline. We heard about a lot of fantastic progress and achievements but were also reminded about the important work that continues. I look forward to hosting my good friend again very soon in our beautiful city!

On August 11, I gave my annual keynote address at the El Paso Chamber's State of Congress event. I shared about everything I've worked on and accomplished with my fellow House Democrats over the last year from lowering costs of living to gun safety reform legislation to the hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure funding returned to our community. I look forward to this event each year and 2022 was no different.

If you need help with a federal government agency or issue, I'm happy to provide assistance and advocate for you however I can. My office can often contact the appropriate agency on your behalf to assure you have been given every consideration available.

To learn about how my office can assist, click here.

This month we passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic legislation will fight inflation, lower prescription drug prices, and protect our planet.

That's how Democrats put People over Politics.

Glad to have met our new 1AD and Fort Bliss Commander BG Isenhower III today.

I look forward to working closely with him on our shared priorities for Fort Bliss during his tenure.

"Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can."

I'm inspired by Shabreon Howard's powerful words after meeting with her to gain a better understanding of the struggles people with rare diseases like sickle cell anemia live with every day.

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