Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation as it celebrates 20 years of advancing health care, innovation, and economic opportunity across the Paso de Norte region.

In El Paso, we know that progress is only built by people willing to see possibilities where others have seen limitations. Twenty years ago, the MCA was founded on the belief that our border community could become a center for exceptional health care, scientific discovery, and economic opportunity. What began as an ambitious idea has become a defining, indispensable part of our community.

Because of the MCA, young El Pasoans can imagine a future in medicine and science, local innovators have turned their ideas into solutions, and families can receive critical, life-saving care closer to home. The MCA's success belongs to the many visionary leaders, health care professionals, researchers, educators, and community partners who believed deeply in El Paso's potential and worked together to realize it.

I congratulate the entire MCA family on 20 remarkable years and thank them for helping build a healthier, more innovative, more prosperous future for our community.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this resolution.

Every day Americans are being confronted with skyrocketing prices at the gas pump and grocery store, and this resolution does absolutely nothing to address the economic crisis created by Donald Trump's economic policies, including his tariffs and an illegal war.

Instead, Republicans in Congress are dumping nearly $100 billion into the budget to fund this illegal war--$100 billion. That could pay the salaries of 1 million elementary school teachers, medical care for 7 million veterans, enough to fund nearly 10 years of school lunches for every child, and so much more.

Budgets are representative of our values and our priorities. It is absolutely clear that neither the President nor congressional Republicans value or prioritize the needs of the American public.

Americans want a Congress that is willing to fix the economy that Donald Trump broke. We are willing every day of the week to do that hard work, to come together to address these pressing issues. $100 billion for something Americans don't want? We have to reject it.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Raiz Federal Credit Union as it celebrates its 90th anniversary of service to the people of El Paso.

Founded in 1936 by seven visionary educators as the El Paso Teachers Federal Credit

Union, Raiz was built on a belief that when communities invest in one another, families thrive. Through generations of change and challenge, Raiz has remained a trusted partner for teachers, workers, and families across our region. Since 2019, more than 53,000 individuals have participated in Raiz's financial education programs, helping families build stronger financial futures. Raiz has also awarded more than 160 scholarships, grants. and community awards, while employees have contributed more than 4,100 hours in support of local organizations and initiatives.

Featured on the award-winning TV show Opportunity Knocks, Raiz was highlighted for their excellence as a financial leader, helping El Pasoans purchase homes, build credit, overcome financial challenges, and build brighter futures. I congratulate Raiz Federal Credit Union on this remarkable milestone and wish them continued success in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I rise today to honor Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro ``Alex'' Zendejas, two stars in professional and international soccer, for being selected as part of the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2026 World Cup.

Mr. Pepi, born in El Paso and raised in San Elizario, made a name for himself at FC Dallas where he won MLS Young Player of the Year in 2021 before moving abroad to Europe. He is now a cornerstone of PSV Eindhoven.

Mr. Zendejas, born in neighboring Ciudad Juarez and raised in El Paso, has had an incredible career playing for some of Liga MX's biggest clubs like Chivas and Club America, where he is a staple today.

So many young athletes and their families sacrifice immensely to perfect their craft with the dream of playing professionally one day. I hope each of them are proud of their accomplishments and this once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to represent our country on the world's biggest stage.

El Paso is very proud of them.

I thank them both for making our community and our country proud. I wish each of them--and the entire Men's National Team--nothing but the best of luck.

Mr. Chairman, as the proud Representative of the great military installation of Fort Bliss, Texas, and as a member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz not just for their work on this bill but for being champions of bipartisan collaboration. I am so grateful to the both of them for that.

While this is not a perfect bill, it does make real progress. The bill advances my provisions supporting reforms and innovation to help modernize a military construction process that is far too slow and rigid for today's military.

The needs we have for military construction are far greater than the resources available, and I am deeply committed to reforming this process so that we can stretch those dollars even further.

This bill also supports planning for a new headquarters for the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bliss, whose aging facilities no longer match its global mission.

On the VA side, I am pleased that this bill includes my own legislation to ensure oversight of the activation planning of the VA medical center being built in El Paso, right next to William Beaumont Army Medical Center. I was proud to help secure the $700 million to build this great facility, and I am committed to ensuring that it delivers world-class healthcare for veterans on day one.

While I am disappointed that the bill still contains a partisan provision that weakens gun background check protections for veterans that I do not agree with, the final product is still a thoughtful, bipartisan one, and I support it in its current form. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable artist, musician, and proud El Pasoan, Hal Marcus.

For decades, Hal Marcus helped shape the artistic spirit of El Paso, leaving an indelible imprint through his creative works and the countless individuals and institutions he uplifted along the way. Hal brought joy, imagination, and a sense of possibility to those around him. His artistic contributions captured the essence of the borderland region with a distinctive and enduring style.

As a steward of history, Hal was deeply devoted to preserving and promoting early regional art, helping elevate awareness of El Paso's rich cultural heritage, and ensuring future generations could learn from and be inspired by it.

The passing of Hal Marcus is a profound loss for El Paso. Yet his legacy lives on in his beautiful and loving family, the vibrant cultural landscape he helped shape, the artists he inspired, and the community he brought together. May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary and enduring legacy of Carlos Spector, an El Paso native, Air Force veteran, immigration attorney, and human rights advocate, whose work changed the lives of countless families and redefined the meaning of justice along our border.

Carlos was born in El Paso; he is the son of a Jewish father whose family fled the pogroms of Russia and a mother from Mexico. Since birth, he lived the reality of a border community, moving between cultures, languages, and histories that shaped his understanding of justice and belonging. He carried his identity proudly and understood his responsibility to steward the cultural heritages of his community.

That responsibility--to defend the vulnerable and stand with those facing injustice--was instilled in him early. Stories from his father about the horrors of World War II and the moral obligation to defend others left an indelible impression on him. Those lessons would ultimately guide his life's work.

After serving in the United States Air Force, Carlos returned to El Paso determined to find a way to use the law in service of others. He eventually attended Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he began to shape the philosophy that would define his career: that the law, at its highest calling, is not an instrument of power but a shield for the vulnerable.

Carlos began practicing immigration law at a time when the legal system offered little hope for many seeking refuge. In 1991, Carlos won one of the first successful asylum cases for a Mexican political leader, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration law and opening the door for others who faced persecution in their country of origin. But Carlos did not stop there. When the violence of the Mexican drug war intensified in the late 2000s, thousands of people fled north seeking safety. At the time, very few asylum claims from Mexican nationals succeeded in U.S. courts. Many attorneys refused to take such cases at all. Carlos did the opposite.

Among those he represented were journalists threatened for exposing corruption, community activists targeted by criminal organizations, and families whose only crime was standing up for their communities. One of his clients, a community leader who had lost multiple family members to violence, later said that he and his remaining relatives were alive because of Carlos Spector's determination to defend them.

Through these efforts, Carlos helped transform public understanding of the challenges unfolding along our border. He showed that the people seeking refuge were not statistics or political taking points--they were human beings whose lives, families, and futures were all at stake.

Those who knew him recall that even during his battle with cancer, his first thoughts were not about himself but about the people he represented. After receiving his diagnosis, he immediately began contacting colleagues to ensure that the cases he had been working on would continue and that his clients would not be abandoned. That devotion to others defined him.

Across the borderland and throughout this Nation, there are families who wake each morning in safety because one attorney refused to accept that their lives were beyond the protection of the law. Because of that belief, Carlos Spector did more than practice law. He expanded the boundaries of justice. He transformed the possibilities of asylum law. And he reminded us that we all have the power to protect our communities and shape a more just world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Carlos Spector, a tireless advocate, a defender of human rights, and a proud son of El Paso whose impact will endure far beyond his lifetime.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I stand today in opposition to this Homeland Security appropriations bill.

I want to be very clear. The bill that passed out of committee had protections for U.S. citizens against what we are seeing playing out in Minnesota and other American cities. During our debate in the House Appropriations Committee, I successfully amended the bill to include language that would prevent ICE from apprehending and deporting U.S. citizens. When the bill was reported out of committee, it included my amendment.

However, during negotiations, I was told that the White House, Stephen Miller in particular, stripped my amendment from the bill. This means that Donald Trump does not want to protect U.S. citizens.

Let that sink in, Mr. Speaker.

Donald Trump does not want U.S. citizens protected from being detained and deported by ICE.

The Trump agenda has never been about apprehending and deporting the worst of the worst. Their own statistics prove that. Their stories reported by journalists on the ground prove that, and eyewitness and firsthand accounts prove that.

U.S. citizens, alongside lawful immigrants and members of vibrant communities, including children as young as 5 years old, are being targeted by ICE and Border Patrol in the kinds of abuses many of us never believed would happen in America: indiscriminate stops on the streets, racial profiling, people dragged from their cars and their homes, legal observers physically assaulted for documenting abuses, theft and destruction of property, and people being killed by agents.

Violations of law, violations of the Constitution, and violations of civil rights are happening here in America at the hands of the American Government, specifically, the Department of Homeland Security. This cannot stand.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the grand opening of the Endeavors Health & Wellness Center in El Paso, Texas. Endeavors is a distinguished Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, caregivers, and their families through comprehensive housing, behavioral health care, wellness, and community support services.

Endeavors has demonstrated commitment to the El Paso community through the establishment of the Endeavors Health & Wellness Center, a centrally located facility designed to expand access to integrated, whole-person care that complements and strengthens existing local, state, and federal resources.

The Endeavors Health & Wellness Center in El Paso represents a significant investment in community care, strengthening El Paso's continuum of services through increased access to critical behavioral health resources, collaboration with local and national partners, and the promotion of dignity, resilience, and recovery among those who have served and sacrificed for others. This community-focused asset will undoubtedly help thousands of El Pasoans in need of support. I am grateful for Endeavors' commitment to care for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, caregivers, and their families and look forward to continuing to collaborate for the greater good of so many.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation in El Paso, Texas.

Established in 1995, the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation has worked to ensure our binational tri-state community has the knowledge, resources, and support needed to lead healthy and productive lives.

For three decades, the foundation has partnered with countless local and national organizations to address some of the most critical challenges in the borderland--from chronic disease prevention, expanding mental health support, and helping develop the next generation of healthcare leaders.

The PDNHF has supported local governments, non-profits and educational institutions to promote health and the well-being of our community. Over its 30-year history, the PDNHF has helped reduce smoking, promoted diabetes awareness and increased physical activity and healthy eating, created a medical forgivable loan fund, programing to support oral health, support for the community through the COVID-19 pandemic, and support in growing El Paso's quality of life assets.

The community is grateful for PDNHF's investment in our region and congratulates the board and staff committed to this mission. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating the incredible legacy of the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home located in El Paso, Texas.

The Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home opened its doors to veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents in 2005 to provide long- term care for those in need of specialty care.

Ambrosio Guillen Home has provided quality and outstanding care to thousands of distinguished veterans, ensuring that a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable stay is provided. The care center focuses on medical and social needs, along with treatment plans that prioritize creativity and expression.

I am incredibly thankful to the medical professionals and staff of the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Home for their dedication and tireless work to provide care and attention to our veterans and their families. The long-term care facility would not be what it is today without them.

I ask all Members to join me today in honoring the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home for their 20 years of service and their profound support to our Texas Veterans and families.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to join my colleagues as we mourn the loss of life in Ruidoso, specifically El Pasoans Stephanie and Sebastian Trotter, who took their two children on vacation for some time away during the holiday. Their children were caught up in the flood before they knew it.

Sebastian Rowan, 7 years old; Charlotte Emery, 4 years old; and their beloved dogs, Zeus and Ellie, lost their lives in the flood.

The El Paso and Fort Bliss family grieves for them and grieves alongside everyone in Ruidoso. We keep them in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to first express my gratitude. I am excited to be on the Appropriations Committee and to serve with wonderful colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. Chairman, I have been so alarmed by the attacks on hardworking Americans by the Trump administration. We are seeing, through

the Republican reconciliation bill, a historic transfer of wealth from the have-nots to the haves.

It has been equally alarming to see that our veterans have not been exempt from what we are all concerned about. In fact, if we look at the mass firings that occurred, as directed by Elon Musk and his DOGE effort, one-third of our Federal workforce is made up of veterans. They have been at risk with those firings.

We know also that there are additional firings that are coming. There are 80,000 VA employees slated to be fired. The cuts to healthcare in the reconciliation bill will impact veterans' families, which is why I was hoping we could mitigate much of that through this bill. Unfortunately, we have not, which is why I cannot support the bill.

In fact, Project 2025, which we discussed at length last year, one of the tenets of it calls for privatizing the VA. This bill lays the foundation for that. We know that our veterans demand, expect, and deserve the best, highest quality healthcare, and that is why we must do more through this bill and not privatize.

There are other components of the bill that are equally alarming. I hope we can continue to work better on both sides of the aisle to improve care for our veterans. This bill doesn't get us there.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary career of Cindy Ramos-Davidson, who retired after nearly 27 years of remarkable leadership as the chief executive officer of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Under her leadership, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber became a powerful voice for small businesses, especially those owned by minorities, veterans, and women.

Cindy's vision was transformative. During her time the Chamber was repeatedly recognized as a leader in the national Hispanic business community, winning numerous awards from both the Texas Association of Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Cindy's commitment to entrepreneurship and business development has created opportunities for countless individuals and businesses. As she steps away from her role, her advocacy for the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the El Paso region will continue to leave an impactful legacy on the small business community.