It is the honor of a lifetime to serve our district in Congress. Each day, I work to address your concerns and protect our liberties. Making sure veterans are well taken care of has always been a top priority of mine. Today, join me in honoring those who have selflessly served our great nation.

As a Navy veteran, I am humbled and honored that you have chosen me to continue serving our district in Congress. I will always fight to secure critical funding for our district and advocate for the issues that matter most to you.

On Veterans Day we honor the bravery and sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces. Thank you to the men and women past and present who have selflessly defended our great nation, securing the many liberties we enjoy today.

It is my goal to secure the benefits and resources veterans deserve. Read below for highlights on my work in Congress benefiting those who served.

With the U.S. continuing to see unacceptably high rates of veteran suicides, we must ensure that we protect those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe. That’s why I’m proud to have helped introduce the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act. This legislation would establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program to improve veteran safety and suicide care by authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with experts and veteran service organizers, to select five medical centers to receive training and support. By implementing this targeted model of care, we can more effectively combat veteran suicides nationwide.

As a father and Navy Master Chief, I know that it is much easier for military members to focus on the mission at hand if they know that their families are taken care of. Active-duty servicemembers are not the only ones making sacrifices for our freedoms - their families are too. That’s why I introduced the Childcare Expansion for Military Families Act, which aims to provide accessible childcare for servicemembers and their families. This legislation would make necessary and substantial investments to the well-being of our military families and childcare facilities on bases like Laughlin Air Force Base, Fort Bliss, and Joint Base San Antonio. It is our responsibility to provide them with the support they need while their loved ones are in the line of duty.

We must ensure that our veteran memorials are maintained to a condition truly reflective of the ultimate sacrifice each servicemember gave to defend our freedoms. That’s why I was pleased that the Economic Development Administration announced $900,000 in grant funds for improvements to the Veterans Park Memorial and recreation area in Fabens, Texas. As your representative, I assure you that I will continue to work tirelessly in Congress to ensure that America's veterans are recognized with the dignity and respect that they have earned through their sacrifice. Their service must never be forgotten.

As a 20-year Navy veteran and father of six, I understand how difficult being both a parent and an active duty servicemember can be. The Lackland Air Force Base Child Development Center in San Antonio was identified by the Air Force as one of its top four priorities unfunded by the federal government. As of February 2021, there were 5,116 children with an unmet need for care. Additionally, the average wait time to place a child in care was 151 days. That’s why I was proud to secure $22 million for this critical project to ensure our military men and women have somewhere their children can receive a quality education and necessary care. No one serving our nation should have to sacrifice their child’s future for their career, and this funding will help ensure that this never has to be the case. 

Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to ensure our nation’s veterans have access to high-quality medical care and benefits. I know first-hand the physical and mental toll that military service can involve. I am proud to have helped secure $150 million for El Paso’s new VA Healthcare Center in the 2022 federal budget. This is a critical step forward in improving the network of care for veterans across El Paso. This new healthcare center will help ensure our military community has access to high-end treatments. I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure our servicemembers receive the care they need. 

Military Spouse Hiring Act

Military spouse unemployment rates are consistently higher than the national average, and nearly two thirds of employed military spouses report feeling underemployed. To address this injustice, I cosponsored the Military Spouse Hiring Act, which expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. Currently, The WOTC only extends coverage to qualified military veterans, among other targeted groups, but not military spouses. This bill would give spouses an equal opportunity for joining the labor market, as well as provide benefits for military families and local communities alike.

Are you interested in interning in my D.C. office? We are now accepting applications for Spring 2023! The deadline to submit your application is November 15th, 2022. Click here to apply.

My team and I are always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact my office at any time.