Biography

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, a third-generation El Pasoan, proudly represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District.

Biography | Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Congresswoman Escobar is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and New York University (NYU). She and her husband, Michael, live in Central El Paso with their beloved cats. They have two grown children.

Veronica Escobar is from El Paso. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and New York University. She lives in Central El Paso with her husband, Michael, and has two children.

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Prior to her service with El Paso County, Congresswoman Escobar was an English teacher at the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College, Communications Director for former Mayor Raymond Caballero, and the Executive Director of Community Scholars, a non-profit that taught high school students how to produce public policy reports and recommendations.

Veronica Escobar previously worked as an English teacher at the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College. She also served as communications director for former Mayor Raymond Caballero and executive director of Community Scholars, a nonprofit.

Veronica previously worked as an English teacher at the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College. She also served as communications director for former Mayor Raymond Caballero and executive director of Community Scholars, a nonprofit.

Meet Veronica

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar proudly represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District in El Paso. She took office on January 3, 2019 as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives after making history as the first woman elected to this seat and the first of two Latinas from Texas to serve in Congress.

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar | U.S. House of Representatives

MEET VERONICA

Representative Veronica Escobar is a third-generation El Pasoan and lifelong Democrat. She is one of the first two Latinas to serve Texas in Congress when elected in 2018, and the first woman to hold the seat in El Paso, Texas.

About Veronica - Veronica Escobar | Democrat for Congress | El Paso, Texas

Before her election, she served on the governing body for El Paso County, first as a County Commissioner and then as County Judge. There, she fought back against those who used government for their own personal gain and worked with her colleagues to modernize and reform the organization.

Veronica currently represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was elected in 2018 and took office in 2019. She previously served as an El Paso County Commissioner and County Judge.

2026 Texas General Election

In Congress, I’m focused on making the economy work for working families. I’ve backed efforts to raise wages, support small businesses, and make sure corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. I also support policies that help families keep more of what they earn, from expanding the Child Tax Credit and guaranteeing paid family leave to investing in affordable housing and childcare, raising the minimum wage, and more.

Issues - Veronica Escobar | Democrat for Congress | El Paso, Texas

Seniors have earned the right to retire with dignity and security. I’m focused on protecting Social Security and making sure it’s there for the long haul—without cuts or privatization.

I support:

Marriage equality
Equal pay
A woman’s right to choose her healthcare
Expanded inclusion for those with disabilities, and more.

Supports raising wages, aiding small businesses, and requiring corporations and ultra-wealthy taxpayers to pay their fair share.

Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit and paid family leave, investing in affordable housing and child care, and raising the minimum wage.

Opposes cuts or privatization of Social Security.

Supports equal pay and expanded inclusion for people with disabilities.

- Supports raising wages, aiding small businesses, and requiring corporations and ultra-wealthy taxpayers to pay their fair share.
- Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit and paid family leave, investing in affordable housing and child care, and raising the minimum wage.
- Opposes cuts or privatization of Social Security.
- Supports equal pay and expanded inclusion for people with disabilities.

Economy

El Pasoans know the impacts of gun violence.

Long before a gunman entered our kind community with lethal actions, we’ve needed comprehensive gun safety legislation.

I’ve written and supported gun safety bills, including:

Banning assault weapons
Required safe storage of firearms
Background check for firearm sales
Expanding penalties for mass shooters
Creating active shooter mobile alerts
Closing loopholes for violent offenders, and more.

Supports banning assault weapons, safe firearm storage, background checks, stronger penalties for mass shooters, and active-shooter alerts.

- Supports banning assault weapons, safe firearm storage, background checks, stronger penalties for mass shooters, and active-shooter alerts.

Public Safety

HEALTHCARE

I believe healthcare is a human right. That’s why I support Medicare for All to guarantee every American has access to comprehensive, affordable care.

I’ve also worked to protect reproductive rights, expand Medicare benefits, and ensure patients can get the care they need without barriers.

I’ve worked to lower healthcare costs, including capping insulin at $35 a month and limiting out-of-pocket expenses for seniors on Medicare. I also support expanding Medicare so it covers more of what people actually need, from dental to vision and hearing care.

JULY 16, 2026
Congresswoman Escobar Leads Texas Democratic Delegation in Letter to HHS, Opposing Cuts to Health Care
Today, Congresswoman Escobar (TX-16) led a letter of the entire Texas Democratic Delegation to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, urging them to oppose cuts to health care programs.

Supports Medicare for All to provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare.

Supports reproductive rights, expanded Medicare benefits, and reducing barriers to patient care.

Supports a $35 monthly insulin cap, limits on Medicare seniors' out-of-pocket costs, and Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care.

Led a Texas Democratic delegation letter urging federal officials to oppose cuts to healthcare programs.

- Supports Medicare for All to provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare.
- Supports reproductive rights, expanded Medicare benefits, and reducing barriers to patient care.
- Supports a $35 monthly insulin cap, limits on Medicare seniors' out-of-pocket costs, and Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care.
- Led a Texas Democratic delegation letter urging federal officials to oppose cuts to healthcare programs.

Healthcare

EDUCATION

I believe every child deserves access to a strong public education, no matter their zip code. That’s why I’m working to invest in our schools—from pre-K through college—so students have the tools they need to succeed.

In Congress, I’ve supported efforts to fully fund special education, expand access to financial literacy and enrichment programs, and improve school facilities.

I’ve also delivered millions in funding to our community—helping schools expand broadband access, invest in clean transportation, and create more opportunities for students.

Supports investment in public education from pre-kindergarten through college.

Supports fully funding special education, financial-literacy and enrichment programs, and school-facility improvements.

Delivered funding to expand school broadband access, clean transportation, and student opportunities.

- Supports investment in public education from pre-kindergarten through college.
- Supports fully funding special education, financial-literacy and enrichment programs, and school-facility improvements.
- Delivered funding to expand school broadband access, clean transportation, and student opportunities.

Education

Climate change is already affecting our communities, and I’ve treated it like the urgent issue it is. I served on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and helped pass the largest investment in clean energy in our nation’s history—cutting emissions, lowering energy costs, and putting us on a more sustainable path.

Here at home, I led the effort to protect Castner Range, preserving thousands of acres of open space for future generations after decades of local advocacy. I’ve also pushed for practical solutions that help communities prepare for extreme weather and build resilience.

I’m focused on expanding clean energy, protecting our natural spaces, and making sure communities like ours have the resources to adapt and thrive.

Helped pass a major clean-energy investment intended to reduce emissions and energy costs.

Led an effort to protect Castner Range and advocates for community resilience to extreme weather.

Prioritizes expanding clean energy, protecting natural spaces, and providing resources for communities to adapt.

- Helped pass a major clean-energy investment intended to reduce emissions and energy costs.
- Led an effort to protect Castner Range and advocates for community resilience to extreme weather.
- Prioritizes expanding clean energy, protecting natural spaces, and providing resources for communities to adapt.

Energy & the Environment

I believe voting should be simple, secure, and accessible to every eligible American.

Congress must continue to fight to pass federal voting rights legislation that will:

Make Election Day a federal holiday
Establish automatic voter registration through the DMV
Require states to offer early voting
Protect election workers
Limit “dark money” in elections
End gerrymandering nationwide
Reinstate the historic Voting Rights Act

Legislation Written by Congresswoman Escobar

* Stop ICE Election Militarization Act: This legislation would protect American elections from illegal ICE interference.

Immigration | Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Calls for federal voting-rights legislation providing automatic registration, early voting, election-worker protections, limits on undisclosed political spending, and an end to political manipulation of voting-district boundaries.

Wrote the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act, which would protect elections from immigration-enforcement interference.

- Calls for federal voting-rights legislation providing automatic registration, early voting, election-worker protections, limits on undisclosed political spending, and an end to political manipulation of voting-district boundaries.
- Wrote the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act, which would protect elections from immigration-enforcement interference.

Voting & Elections

My plan takes a practical, common-sense approach: strengthening border management, modernizing legal immigration, and restoring dignity to people navigating a broken system. The Dignity Act creates a pathway to legal status for long-term undocumented immigrants, protects Dreamers, expands legal pathways for workers and families, and improves how we process asylum claims.

1. Eligible undocumented immigrants could enroll in our newly created Dignity Program that would grant legal status, work and travel authorities, as well as protections in this permanently renewable status.

I Reintroduced the Dignity Act - Here's Why. | Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

2. The border security section has funding for border infrastructure and equipment, as well as CBP agents and officers. It updates their training and provides new guidelines, such as making it unlawful to carry out immigration enforcement actions in places like schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, and more.

3. Under current law, the only way to claim asylum is to declare your intention to seek asylum at the border. Our asylum reform section establishes 3 regional processing centers across Latin America so that immigrants can legally seek asylum without making the dangerous trek through the western hemisphere to the United States. It also ensures that asylum seekers have guaranteed access to legal counsel as they go through the asylum process.

I’ve also led efforts to keep families together, protect civil rights, and ensure accountability in our immigration system—because we can have a secure border and stay true to our values at the same time.

On June 11th, 2026, I offered six amendments for the House Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Homeland Security Bill.

* The first amendment was to prohibit the design, construction, and operation of immigration detention facilities at military installations. This amendment was rejected by Republicans.

* The fourth amendment was to provide $50 million in funding for the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. It was rejected by Republicans.

I’m proud to have voted for:
  * Expanded access to healthcare for veterans exposed to toxicity
  * Better access to service animals for our veterans.
  * The largest cost-of-living benefit increase in 10+ years.
  * Increased food assistance for low-income veterans
  * Housing solutions and rental assistance for veterans.

I’ve worked to make sure service members and their families have what they need, from better pay and housing to access to healthcare and childcare. That includes supporting pay raises for enlisted troops, expanding mental health services, and cutting costs for military families.

Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would create pathways to legal status, protect Dreamers, expand legal immigration, and change asylum processing.

Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would fund border infrastructure and personnel, restrict immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, and create pathways to legal status.

Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would establish regional asylum-processing centers and guarantee asylum seekers access to legal counsel.

Advocates for keeping immigrant families together, protecting civil rights, and accountability in immigration enforcement.

Offered an amendment to prohibit immigration-detention facilities at military installations.

Offered an amendment to provide $50 million for the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Voted for veterans' healthcare, service-animal access, food and housing assistance, and cost-of-living benefits.

Supports enlisted troop pay raises, military-family housing and childcare, mental-health services, and lower costs for military families.

- Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would create pathways to legal status, protect Dreamers, expand legal immigration, and change asylum processing.
- Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would fund border infrastructure and personnel, restrict immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, and create pathways to legal status.
- Reintroduced the Dignity Act, which would establish regional asylum-processing centers and guarantee asylum seekers access to legal counsel.
- Advocates for keeping immigrant families together, protecting civil rights, and accountability in immigration enforcement.
- Offered an amendment to prohibit immigration-detention facilities at military installations.
- Offered an amendment to provide $50 million for the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
- Voted for veterans' healthcare, service-animal access, food and housing assistance, and cost-of-living benefits.
- Supports enlisted troop pay raises, military-family housing and childcare, mental-health services, and lower costs for military families.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

As of July 22, 2026, Veronica Escobar’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Twitter

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Veronica Escobar

Supports raising wages, helping small businesses, and ensuring corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their "fair share."

Supports access to public education regardless of zip code.

Supports expanding clean energy and protecting natural spaces.

Said, "I believe voting should be simple, secure, and accessible to every eligible American."

Supports passing federal voting rights legislation.

Believes in maintaining border security while upholding American values by keeping families together, protecting civil rights, and ensuring immigration system accountability.

Veronica Escobar is from El Paso, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master's degree from New York University. She and her husband, Michael, live in Central El Paso. They have two grown children.

Veronica has worked for over 10 years, where she has focused on attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and creating jobs in the region.

Veronica is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Texas's 16th congressional district. She was first elected in 2018. Before her election to Congress, she served as the county judge of El Paso County from 2017 to 2018 and as a member of the El Paso City Council.

Texas' 16th Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Veronica Escobar - District Map - Congress.gov

Supports raising wages, helping small businesses, and ensuring corporations and wealthy individuals pay fair taxes.

Supports "required safe storage of firearms."

Supports background checks for firearm sales.

Supports expanding penalties for mass shooters.

Supports creating active shooter mobile alerts.

Supports closing loopholes for violent offenders.

Supports lowering healthcare costs by capping insulin prices and limiting out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare seniors.

Believes every child deserves access to a strong public education, regardless of zip code.

Supports automatic voter registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Supports requiring states to offer early voting.

Supports reinstating the Voting Rights Act.

Supports comprehensive immigration reform.

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- Your U.S. Representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 U.S. Representatives.
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- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
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