[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PRIORITIZING EL PASO, TEXAS

  (Ms. ESCOBAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I have the honor of representing El Paso, 
Texas, a critical hub for commerce and trade with one of the busiest 
land ports of entry in the country.
  Today, I am proud to have voted for the passage of the America 
COMPETES Act to strengthen supply chains, U.S. competitiveness, and 
create good-paying STEM jobs at home. It will build on policies 
championed by congressional Democrats and President Biden that have led 
to a historic year of job creation, as shown in today's jobs report.
  The bill includes my amendments to address many El Paso priorities on 
local job creation, addressing the climate crisis, and optimizing our 
ports of entry.
  One of my amendments creates a mandatory set-aside specifically for 
small businesses, the backbone of our local economy, to move into the 
solar component manufacturing sector.
  Additionally, I included amendments that respond to the climate 
crisis by ensuring that we reduce deforestation and carbon dioxide 
emissions in developing nations and allow environmental defenders to 
assist in developing our climate-resilient strategy.
  My amendments also address the needs of our ports of entry, El Paso's 
major artery for trade and commerce.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to have also addressed inflation.

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