Veronica Escobar: “I thank both committees of jurisdiction for their work on the INVEST in America Act. I would like to share some of the…”

“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.”