During my meeting with Adrian Rodriguez, President and COO of American Electric Power - AEP, we took a moment to recognize Federico Bouvier, an AEP employee who helped rescue passengers after the plane crash on Loop 20 in Laredo. Federico stepped in alongside first responders and other Good Samaritans during a...

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I welcomed Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Deputy Secretary Edgar and made clear that while I support the mission of the Department, Congress also has a responsibility to provide strong oversight. Throughout the appropriations process, including...

During the DHS hearing, I took a moment to recognize Border Patrol Agent Alex Medellin. On June 16, an aircraft crashed on Bob Bullock Loop in Laredo. Agent Medellin was off duty, but he still responded to the scene and helped first responders and Good Samaritans rescue people from the fire. Laredo saw the best of...

Taxpayers deserve to know that defense dollars are being spent wisely, efficiently, and in ways that save taxpayer dollars, especially as families continue to face the rising cost of living. During consideration of the Defense Appropriations bill, I spoke about language I secured requiring the Department of Defense...

During today’s consideration of the Defense Appropriations bill, I highlighted several priorities I secured to support military readiness, service members, and military families. This includes continued investment in human performance research at UT San Antonio, which helps improve warfighter health, reduce...

14 years ago, DACA provided temporary protection for young people who were brought to this country as children. During the Homeland Security Appropriations markup, I supported an amendment to protect DACA recipients from deportation. Dreamers have grown up in our communities, attended our schools, joined our...

Today, as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I offered an amendment during consideration of the FY2027 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to strengthen oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement. My amendment would establish standards for body-worn...

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I offered an amendment during markup of the FY2027 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to protect additional areas in South Texas from future border wall construction. My amendment would extend protections to locations in and...

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I offered an amendment to strengthen oversight of Department of Homeland Security funding. This was an important effort to continue the guardrails and accountability provisions we worked on during the FY2026 appropriations process. As DHS...

I was pleased to secure several South Texas priorities in the manager’s amendment to the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. One provision directs federal agencies to review programs, regulations, and administrative requirements to identify opportunities to...

I spoke during consideration of the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. I highlighted the importance of continued funding for the National Child Abuse Hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which help individuals and families facing difficult...

During last night’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations markup, I highlighted language included in the bill directing the Federal Railroad Administration to provide an updated assessment of potential passenger rail service between Texas and Mexico, including the San Antonio-Laredo corridor....

As Ranking Member, I helped lead the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee markup of the FY2027 Department of Homeland Security funding bill. As a border state member, I support responsible investments in homeland security, border security technology, and employee support programs that strengthen public...

If we spend a dollar, we should know what we are getting for that dollar. During the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations markup, I spoke in support of language I secured to help agencies improve performance and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively. Good government starts with...

The Port of Laredo is the number one port of entry in the United States by trade value, handling $339 billion in trade in 2024 alone. During yesterday’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations markup, I spoke about the importance of investing in land port of entry infrastructure and highlighted...