Veronica Escobar

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Takano for his continued, strong, unwavering leadership on behalf of our veterans. I am proud to represent a district that is home to a strong and growing veteran community, and proud to represent Fort Bliss in Congress, where thousands of our servicemembers transition to civilian life. One of my top priorities in Congress has been to protect our veterans and their families in the same way they have served and defended our country. Today, I am honored to stand in support of this critical legislation for our Nation's veterans and to present my amendment. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4673, the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act, provides automatic enrollment in the VA for all transitioning servicemembers. This bill is vital in that it expedites the use of healthcare benefits that veterans have already earned. My amendment seeks to ensure that servicemembers who were discharged up to 90 days before the enactment of this legislation can also reap its benefits. Servicemembers transitioning to civilian life already face a multitude of hurdles, from adjusting to everyday life, dealing with unemployment issues, housing and security, and poor mental and physical health, among other things. Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve that we eliminate these and any other barriers. Thousands of veterans leave the service without knowing about the VA, whether they are eligible, and what benefits they are entitled to receive. Veterans who returned to civilian life during the pandemic faced even more challenges to access and overall engagement with the VA due to closures and the VA's limited operational capacity at the height of the pandemic. We cannot leave these veterans behind. Already, more than half of eligible veterans don't use VA health benefits, many of which are due to confusion on eligibility and benefits and lack of access to information. The pandemic only exacerbated this. Our withdrawal from Afghanistan this past year similarly impacted millions of veterans who now need that care more than ever. Mr. Speaker, my amendment is not adding any new entitlements. It is simply extending them to those who are equally in need. With my amendment to this bill, we can ensure that newly transitioned veterans do not miss the opportunity to access VA benefits they deserve and are entitled to. As our chairman has said, when it comes to supporting our veterans, the true heroes of our country, there is always more work to be done. This bill is truly transformative and assures future cohorts of veterans receive the expeditious access to the healthcare they need. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert Chisolm, an American hero who passed away peacefully on January 4, 2022, after a lifetime of service to our country and to El Paso. Lieutenant Colonel Chisolm served in the Army in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division when he parachuted into combat in Normandy, France, on D-day, a day that liberated Western Europe from Nazi rule. He was also recognized in 2012 by the French Government and awarded the French Legion of Honor medal. After 29 years of faithful service, he retired from the military and settled in El Paso, Texas, with his wife, Margaret. Lieutenant Colonel Chisolm helped create a community for local veterans as a founding member of the Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, which awards scholarships to the children and grandchildren of paratroopers. May Lieutenant Colonel Robert Chisolm's legacy of devotion to our country, his fellow veterans, and his unwavering commitment to service continue to inspire us all.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman. Madam Speaker, I say to my colleagues, when you give hate, racism, and violence cover, you give it life. With this vote, we are saying ``not on our watch.'' Madam Speaker, I invite my Republican colleagues to do what is right and support this resolution.

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, like Representative Ocasio-Cortez, I, too, have served in this House for 3 years, and I have found the dignity and respect that we deserve and owe one another in this Chamber has been severely lacking. While my Democratic colleagues and I continue to work on critical legislation that improves the lives of Americans, Mr. Gosar, a Member of the Republican Conference, has decided to focus on promoting xenophobia and fetishizing violence, fanning the flames of hate. Words have power. My community knows that only too well. And the example we set as Members of Congress is followed by millions of Americans. Mr. Gosar's actions continue to lower the bar, obliterate standards for respect and civility, and make this workplace unsafe by targeting a colleague--a woman of color. I would like to note that women of color are frequent targets of hateful rhetoric and attacks like these. In any other environment, someone like Mr. Gosar would have immediately faced termination, would have to live with the consequences of his dangerous actions and words, but not in the Republican Conference. Mr. Gosar's video, which glorifies the gruesome killing of our colleague and a violent attack against our President should have sparked immediate condemnation and action by the minority leader and his entire conference. But instead, we are told to relax, and we are threatened, told that if we dare take action, we will face retaliation.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, Congressional Democrats have been focused on working with President Biden to deliver long overdue investments for the American people and for our future. We started earlier this year with the American Jobs Act, which got critical resources, including vaccines, into our communities and put money in people's pockets. We helped struggling businesses and schools, and we did so much more. Now, we are on the cusp of passing two bills that will enormously improve the lives of all Americans, the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These two bills together will rebuild America's aging and failing infrastructure, create jobs, cut taxes and lower costs for families, protect and recognize the contributions of immigrants, tackle the climate crisis, and so much more. Mr. Speaker, my district of El Paso, Texas, has long suffered from chronic poverty due to lack of access to many resources and economic opportunities. On healthcare, my State of Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the Nation. In my community of El Paso, a quarter of my residents have absolutely no health insurance whatsoever. On climate, El Paso has seen the second highest increase in average temperatures over the past 45 years with the number of 100-degree days predicted to double. On family care, nearly half of the people, 48 percent of the people, live in a childcare desert with no access to childcare whatsoever. On education, in my State of Texas your education and the amount of money invested in K-12 kids depends on your ZIP Code and where you live. The historic investments that we will be making with both of these bills will strengthen healthcare access to Texas families by expanding Medicare coverage for those who have been denied. They will protect our communities from the consequences of the climate crisis by helping us lower emissions, advancing a clean energy economy, and advancing environmental justice. These bills will support families with the child tax credit, which will benefit 173,000 children in El Paso alone, in addition to the investments in childcare, home healthcare, paid family and medical leave, workforce development, and universal pre-K, which is probably the best predictor for school success and for kids who end up going to college. My community needs that. My kids in El Paso deserve that. Americans everywhere need this health and support, and they need it now. These investments are fully paid for. They will not add to the deficit, and because these expenditures represent less than one percent of our GDP over the next decade, and because they are paid for in part by making corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share, the Build Back Better Act will not increase inflation. I am so proud to have played a role in crafting these bills. I am so proud to advance them and ensure that they uplift El Paso families, improve our economy, and help save our planet.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of John Ceballos, who passed away after a lifetime of public service to our country and to El Paso. I had the special privilege of knowing John as one of the most dedicated leaders in our veteran community. He was the chairman of the Benavidez-Patterson 82nd Airborne Division Association, where he continuously created a space of support for veterans. He was a mentor for the El Paso Veterans Courts program and would always celebrate the accomplishments of the 82nd Airborne Division. To know John was to know a person of strength and resilience. He served in the U.S. Army for 8 years during the Vietnam war. After his time in service, he went back to school where he graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, was bestowed a Master of Science degree, and became an instructor for the Department of Kinesiology. Madam Speaker, we have lost a giant in our community, and I ask you to join me in paying tribute to the life of John Ceballos. May his legacy of precious memories and unwavering commitment to service continue to inspire us all.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Dr. Diana Natalicio, who will be remembered as an icon of higher education and a trailblazer in El Paso. Dr. Natalicio served for 31 years as the president of the University of Texas at El Paso, my alma mater, UTEP, between 1988 and 2019. As the longest sitting president at UTEP, her imprint on the institution will be everlasting. She devoted her life's work to making UTEP accessible and elevating it to a top-tier institution. As a first-generation college student herself, she knew the importance of working for an equitable college experience for first-generation and low-income college students and access to higher education for all. In 2019, 51 percent of UTEP's graduates were first generation. Dr. Natalicio taught us that no matter where you come from, everyone deserves a good education. She also understood the struggles that El Pasoans face and worked on finding solutions to those barriers. I am deeply grateful for Dr. Diana Natalicio's service to our community and the vision she created for UTEP students. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Dr. Diana Natalicio's life and contributions to El Paso. May her legacy continue to inspire us all.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I am so grateful to the appropriators for including seven funding priorities for my district, El Paso, Texas, in the base bills, including funding for health technology upgrades, police body cameras, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and much more. Each year I work to bring El Paso's voice to the table, and my amendments focus on our priorities. These amendments include increased funding for the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education to support economically disadvantaged communities; emphasizing the need for a binational COVID- 19 vaccination plan; funding for water reuse programs in communities experiencing drought conditions; and several amendments directing funding towards communities like El Paso, so we aren't left behind in the fight against the climate crisis; and so much more. Lastly, we have witnessed congressionally appropriated funding being irresponsibly diverted by Governors in States like mine, so I am happy to see all subcommittees under this bill include my congressional intent amendment expressing a strong urgency to ensure that States can no longer do this.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the opening of William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas. The William Beaumont Army Medical Center first opened in July 1, 1921 and has since become a major medical asset for the U.S. Army--serving the needs of countless soldiers, veterans, military families, and El Paso residents. Whether through assisting victims of the August 3rd, 2019 domestic terrorist shooting or working day and night during the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical center has always helped our community and continues to be an invaluable resource for El Pasoans. As the United States Army prepares to open one of the most advanced medical facilities in the country, the El Paso community is thankful for the Army's support and wishes William Beaumont Army Medical Center the best of luck as it begins its years of service. Again, I am pleased to recognize the opening of William Beaumont Army Medical Center

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the work and service of Operation H.O.P.E. Operation H.O.P.E, which stands for Helping Other People Endure, was founded in 2009 by Angel Gomez, a life-long El Pasoan and U.S. Navy veteran. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation H.O.P.E. has provided funeral assistance to over 1,100 families who have lost loved ones. In the wake of the August 3, 2019 domestic terrorist attack that killed 23 beautiful souls and wounded countless others, Operation H.O.P.E. was at the center of supporting grieving families who lost loved ones. They helped find funeral homes for those who were killed and helped offset the cost of repatriation of the Mexican nationals who died that day. This past Easter, they gave away food and Easter baskets to over 400 families in need. Whether it is a holiday or tragedy, Operation H.O.P.E. is there when we need them. I am proud to be sharing Operation H.O.P.E.'s work today, and am grateful for their continued service to our community.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank both committees of jurisdiction for their work on the INVEST in America Act. I would like to share some of the significant resources that this bill will bring to my home district of El Paso, Texas. This bill would bring almost $20 million in investment directly to two projects for the city and county of El Paso. The first project, the John Hayes Extension, would assist the exponential growth we have seen in the Eastern portion of our country. The second project, the Stanton Street Bridge Intelligent Transportation System, would improve the traffic flow around this land port of entry. The INVEST in America Act also establishes the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Program to help communities, like downtown El Paso, that were divided when highways, such as I-10, were built through the heart of our city. The amendments I have offered to this bill would bring crucial funding to some of the most economically disadvantaged members of our community. They also recognize our key location on the U.S.-Mexico trade corridor. My amendments include millions of dollars for colonial surface, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure, as well as an increase in an optional set-aside for infrastructure critical to trade in border communities. Simply put, the INVEST in America Act is a transformational measure for El Paso, and I look forward to voting for it.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, for the fourth time since 2010, the city of El Paso is honored to be named an All-America City for our resiliency, response to tragedy, and vaccination efforts against COVID-19 this year. The National Civic League awards the All-America City award to communities where residents, organizations, and government work together to address challenges and improve quality of life. When President Biden announced his goal to vaccinate 70 percent of our Nation, El Paso not only met the goal a month early, but we have surpassed it and currently lead the country by 10 percent. The All-America City award reaffirms our resiliency and outstanding civic accomplishments in the face of the tragic August 3 domestic terror attack and the devastating COVID-19 pandemic as well as our continued goodwill toward migrants seeking refuge at our Nation's front door. El Pasoans are no strangers to challenges, and our strength is tested over and over. Each time we grow stronger because we are and always will be El Paso Strong. It is an honor to represent this extraordinary community here today, and I congratulate the city of El Paso.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 246th birthday of the founding of the United States Army. The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775 in Philadelphia at the height of the Revolutionary War. The Army is the eldest branch of the U.S. military and answers at a moment's notice when the country needs it most--from the Revolutionary War, World War II, the Vietnam War, and most recently the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we honor the legacy of the brave men and women who served and are currently serving to protect our country and preserve our way of life. Answering the call to duty is not an easy one, but it is one that is worth it. 90,000 soldiers and their family members call the El Paso Area home through Fort Bliss presence in our community. Fort Bliss is vital to the Army's readiness because it trains and mobilizes soldiers to perform global operations in support of our national military strategy. I, and the rest of the El Paso community, are appreciative of the Army and Fort Bliss' service to our country and are grateful for each soldier and their family's sacrifices, service, and leadership. On this day, I recognize the Army's 246th birthday.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 10th anniversary of the 1st Armored Division's arrival to El Paso, TX. Nicknamed the Old Ironsides, the 1st Armored Division was founded in 1940 at Fort Knox. They have valiantly protected our nation in the toughest battles--World War II, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Persian Gulf War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Old Ironsides have called many places home, including Fort Hood and West Germany. On May 13, 2011, they found their home at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Over the last 10 years, America's future military leaders are being trained at Fort Bliss and about 30,000 Iron Soldiers continue to exercise mission commands of the Army. The 1st Armored division and their families have become integral members of our community--their presence at Fort Bliss supports our local economy and creates a richer and more diverse culture. I, and the rest of the El Paso community, are appreciative of the 1st Armored Division's service to our country and are grateful for each of the Old Iron Soldiers for their sacrifices, service, and leadership. The El Paso, Texas community is proud to call the First Armored Division the home of America's tank force.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on my colleagues to support H.R. 2208, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act. On March 26 of this year, I introduced this important bipartisan bill with my colleague, Representative Tony Gonzales from the Texas 23rd Congressional District, to ensure that Native American Tribes are covered by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Specifically, this bipartisan bill aims to correct a problem of exclusion that has been affecting only two Tribes in the entire United States--the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas--since 1987, when Congress passed the Restoration Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The passage of these 1987 laws inadvertently created uncertainty about which law these Tribes were covered under and what gaming activities they were allowed to offer on their reservations. Passed in this Chamber during the 116th Congress, this bill offers a commonsense solution that will ensure that the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes are covered by the Indiana Gaming Regulatory Act, which would provide these Native American communities with a critical economic lifeline and an opportunity to recover from the harmful inequity that they have faced. Simply put, this bill would provide fairness for these two Tribes, like the only other federally recognized Tribe in our State, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. I urge my colleagues to join me in protecting our Native American Tribes' sovereignty and ensuring that they have the ability to engage in the same way other Tribes are able to. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone, but the economic and health crisis has been devastating to our Tribes, and this bill offers an opportunity for them to safely rebuild their economies. The reason our Tribes have suffered so disproportionately is because of long-term disinvestment and generational lack of adequate access to healthcare and economic assistance. Communities around the country are eager to repair their economies following the impact of COVID-19, and our Tribes are no different. But they need the clarity this bill would provide so that they can better control their economic future. The parity this bill would create for these Tribes would also create long overdue opportunities for them to succeed by supporting job creation and their ability to generate revenue that would fund new housing, educational programs, and medical facilities for their people and the surrounding communities, among so many other things. Now, more than ever, more must be done to protect other Native American Tribes, their families, businesses, and their economic prosperity. By passing this bill, Congress would finally grant the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes the rights, opportunities, and stability they have long been denied. Therefore, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important piece of legislation, and I am grateful to the leaders in the committee for their support.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I will be very clear, Madam Speaker. Farmworkers do back-breaking work under the scorching sun or unbearable cold to make sure that all of us have food on our table. Whether they are sick, feeling well, whether they have family members who are not feeling well, they go to work to make sure we have what we need, even, and almost especially, during the era of COVID. It is incredible that anyone would stand in the way of having these incredible people finally have a pathway to legalization. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a piece of legislation that is long overdue. I have one thing to say to those who would oppose legislation for this population, even though they benefit from the labor of this population: ``they don't have shame,'' ``no tienen verguenza.''

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to talk about our Dreamers, the precious resource we have in our country. But, of course, unfortunately, what we are hearing is as much fear-mongering as possible from our Republican colleagues about immigrants. My name was mentioned, and the minority leader chose to come into my safe and secure community earlier this week to use my community as a prop, so I need to respond. In 2019, Mr. Speaker, I led codels to El Paso and brought nearly 20 percent of Congress to my community. I invited everyone. I stood in the well and invited Republicans, Democrats, everyone. Only Democrats took me up on my offer to see the entire picture. Not just law enforcement, but to meet with advocates, attorneys, everyone who makes up the system of immigration on the border. Not a single Republican attended. Last session, we, as a Congress, passed a number of bills, including supplemental bills, to address what was happening on the border and to address immigration. No Republicans supported our effort. Last week, when I learned the minority leader was coming into my community, I sent him a letter, invited him to meet with everyone who was available to help give him the full picture. He refused. Their strategy is the same strategy they have employed with COVID: Do nothing. We will finally address this. I rise to support our Dreamers and H.R. 6. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Dreamers across the country. These are young people who have lived in the United States for the majority of their lives; they already call the United States home and are citizens in all but name. The Dream and Promise Act creates a path to citizenship for those who were brought to the United States as children. They're people who have lived their entire lives as members of our communities and just want the opportunity to become citizens of the country where they grew up, go to school, and work. Which makes our communities safer and stronger. This bill provides strict guidance for earning citizenship and recipients are required to meet the standards and specifications of the program in order to maintain their status. When a parent makes the harrowing decision to take their child and leave their home behind, it's so that their child might have a better life. Like a lot of our grandparents and great-grandparents, they're coming to the United States for the opportunity to live the American Dream.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, since being signed into law, the Violence Against Women Act has become a crucial part of legislation to aid victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. VAWA provides lifesaving programs to help survivors navigate domestic violence and abuse situations. Madam Speaker, in my district, I heard from innumerable counselors, activists, advocates, and attorneys about the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on families, but especially families who have to experience domestic violence. Being locked in a situation with your abuser, with your attacker, was incredibly dangerous, and there has been terrible trauma inflicted. We need to pass VAWA now. There is no reason not to support people who are victims of domestic violence. This is an enormous step forward. I am grateful to the leaders who brought this forward, and I rise in support.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bruce Beach, the recently retired Director of Bands at Franklin High School in El Paso, Texas. For 25 years, Mr. Beach taught music education to thousands of students. It is no easy feat to teach 20 students, let alone 200. However, Mr. Beach is much more than an educator. Many of his students have pursued their musical and non-musical aspirations because of his support and guidance. His students learned important life skills like teamwork, responsibility, and dedication. In 2015, Mr. Beach served as President of the Texas Bandmasters Association. He represented El Paso and oversaw the annual convention that showcased new music and teaching methods for fellow bandmasters. In addition to teaching, he also found time to participate in the El Paso Wind Symphony where he played principal trombone. Congratulations to Mr. Beach on all his achievements. I thank him for his commitment to education and the arts.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. On January 6, terrorists attacked the United States of America. It was an attempted coup and an insurrection. But what I hope Americans understand is that it was a terrorist attack against our country. Those who came and participated must be found and prosecuted. Those who aided and abetted must be found and prosecuted. And the man who incited it, President Donald J. Trump, our greatest national security threat, must be impeached, held accountable, and never be allowed to hold office again.

Ms. ESCOBAR

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8354) to establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and for other purposes, as amended.