It's been another busy week in TX-23. I am proud to serve our district in Congress. Each day, I work to address your concerns and protect our liberties. From navigating federal casework to voicing a concern, my team and I are always here to help. Please read below for some updates on my recent work representing you in Washington, D.C. and back home in TX-23. HAPPENINGS IN CONGRESS Wrote Secretary Blinken Calling for an End to Cartel Violence Against Americans Cartels are capitalizing on the chaos at our southern border, putting American lives in danger. We cannot allow the violence they promote to continue plaguing our communities. We must act now to hold these terrorists responsible. This week, I urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken for answers to rising violence along the US-Mexico border. Read the full letter here. Click here for more. SPENDING TIME IN TX-23 Stopped by Sutton County I started off the week in Sutton County where I stopped by Sonora Bank to discuss important issues for the local community and ways I can help in Congress. While I was in town, I sat down with Sonora Police Chief Pete Garcia to discuss the critical need for more officers and vehicles in the area. Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect us, and I will do everything in my power to continue advocating for them. Visited Pecos County The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has raised many questions, including how community banks may be affected in the aftermath. That's why I traveled to the Pecos County State Bank this week to discuss how Congress can protect our local financial institutions. Community banks play a crucial role in Texas communities, providing the means for our local economies to prosper. I also visited with Colby Terrazas at Conteza Ready Mix in Fort Stockton. We discussed how important the concrete industry is to West Texas, and how Congress can look out for the blue-collar jobs it supports. Construction materials are essential to keeping our great state equipped with the best infrastructure. Received Update about Wildfires in Jeff Davis County In recent weeks, Fort Davis has been hit by devastating wildfires. I was grateful to visit with Judge Curtis and EMS Chief Peggy Fonseca to discuss their needs as they recover from the damages. I was proud to see the all-hands-on-deck approach by this community, and will continue fighting to deliver the resources they need. Sat Down With Business Owners in Brewster County Labor and supply shortages are crushing businesses across Texas. I traveled to Brewster County to learn more about what business owners in TX-23 are dealing with everyday. First I met with Freda and Mike Powers, owners of Powers Automotive in Alpine. With a disrupted supply chain, prices are skyrocketing and hurting their bottom line. Next, I sat down with Jill Jahn at Highland Drug in Alpine. She is not only dealing with labor shortages, but medication shortages as well. This poses a major risk to the community as she owns and operates the only pharmacy within 65 miles. During my visit, I also met with Brewster County Judge Greg Henington and the Commissioners Court to discuss how I can continue delivering for the county’s needs in Congress. Discussed the Border Crisis in Del Rio Representing over 800 miles of the southern border in Congress, one of my biggest priorities is to tackle our border crisis head on. This week I visited Del Rio where I met with Billy & Marshall Whaley at B&J Tractor to discuss their daily realities. Their property has faced many damages due to illegal immigration and they expressed that residents of border communities are beyond a boiling point. During my time in Del Rio, I also met with Kinney and Val Verde County Farm Bureau President John Paul Schuster and local producers to discuss agricultural priorities for the 118th Congress. Ranchers and farmers are the backbone of our rural communities, yet these men and women are left to deal with the expenses that come with owning land near an open border. As resources wear thin, their livelihoods are taking a hit. Spent Time in El Paso County I started off my visit to El Paso County by talking about border security and the serious drought problem that Lower Valley farmers are faced with. Through my work in Congress I have secured over a million dollars in funding to improve irrigation for the region, and will continue advocating for our agricultural community. Our law enforcement and first responders work around the clock to keep TX-23 communities safe. While in town, I also hosted a roundtable with some of El Paso’s finest to discuss their needs along the border. I was proud to be joined by various police departments from across El Paso County, the Sheriff’s office, and local and federal leadership. Next, I sat down with El Paso CBP Union President and fellow officers to talk about the migrant rush at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry. Last weekend, over 1,000 people tried to force their way into the US, highlighting the lawlessness of our border crisis. I am thankful to our heroes in blue for defusing the event. Later in the day, I visited the Paso Del Norte bridge, where I spoke with CBP officers to get a better look at their daily operations and ways I can help their mission. Thank you to our officers on the frontlines for protecting our borders amidst chaos time and again. I am looking forward to working alongside these brave men and women as we work to restore law and order at the border. During the trip, I also had the opportunity to tour the El Paso Electric Newman power plant followed by a town hall with their employees. I admire their work to provide electric power to the region and create blue collar jobs across El Paso. Lastly, it was great to visit with the U.S. Border Patrol’s new El Paso Sector Chief “Scott” Good. I have no doubt he will work hard to secure our southern border in the El Paso region. I look forward to working together and I am thankful for his service and leadership on the frontlines. My team and I are always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact my office at any time. Washington, D.C. 2244 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4511 Del Rio 712 East Gibbs Street, Suite 101 Del Rio, TX 78840 830-308-6200 Fort Stockton 103 West Callaghan Street Fort Stockton, TX 79735 432-299-6200 San Antonio 4372 N. Loop 1604 W, Suite 205 San Antonio, TX 78249 210-806-9920 Socorro 124 Horizon Boulevard Socorro, TX 79927 915-990-1500 Uvalde 2401 Garner Field Road, Building Q Uvalde, TX 78801 830-333-7410 Visit our Website Rep. 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