Congresswoman Veronica Escobar helped secure federal funding for El Paso through a new appropriations package. According to U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar press release, the funds will support community projects including affordable housing, local transportation, and public health. The package also blocks $163 billion in proposed cuts and adds protections to ensure continued federal support for these programs.
Escobar’s website lists seven community project funding requests included in the bills. These include $1 million for safety improvements at the Stanton International Port of Entry, $3.1 million to expand the Ysleta Port of Entry, $500,000 for a new trail in Socorro, and $250,000 for life-saving equipment at a new El Paso County animal shelter.
The funding bill increases support for childcare and Head Start programs by $170 million and provides $66.6 billion for rental assistance, reversing previous proposed cuts. It also boosts Homeless Assistance Grants by $366 million and includes measures to curb high prescription costs, while supporting housing security, preventing evictions, and aiding veterans, families, and people with disabilities nationwide.
The spending bill increases National Institutes of Health funding by $400 million and provides $30 million for the Office of Research on Women’s Health, a 40% boost supported by Congresswoman Escobar. It also protects mental health services from proposed cuts and adds $1.9 billion for community health centers. Education and job training programs are strengthened, with increased funding for K-12 and special education, as well as expanded Pell Grants for low-income students.
The package provides $18.6 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration, including funding directed by Congresswoman Escobar to assess grants for DUI countermeasures. It also invests in highways, roads, and bridges to improve safety and support construction jobs and American businesses.
