Congresswoman Escobar Votes to Invest in Our Servicemembers, Fort Bliss

As part of the minibus appropriations package, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense funding bill. This legislation invests in Fort Bliss, gives a well-deserved pay raise to servicemembers, and works to grow El Paso's defense manufacturing ecosystem.

"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, one of my priorities is a funding bill that supports our servicemembers and Fort Bliss," said Congresswoman Escobar. "This legislation invests in the pay, benefits, training, and readiness of the men and women in uniform. Representing Fort Bliss is an incredible honor and I will continue to ensure this great installation and our servicemembers receive the funding and support needed."

Cares for our Troops and their Families:

• Provides a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers.
• Reduces Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves to improve quality and stability of life for our troops.
• Funds $41.8 billion for medical and healthcare programs of the Department of Defense
• Increases funding for medical research by $1.7 billion, including $1.3 billion for Congressionally Directed Medical Research Projects (CDMRP) that support efforts to develop treatments for cancer, disease, and service-related injuries
• Expands the Sexual Assault Special Victims' Counsel Program bringing the program total to $47 million

Supports Operational Readiness:

• Supports day-to-day military readiness by robustly funding training, exercises, maritime activities, flying hours, equipment sustainment, and base operations across the Department of Defense.
• Funds $20.7 billion to Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and National Guard depot maintenance efforts to ensure servicemembers are equipped and prepared.
• Invests $18.8 billion for facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization to sustain targeted increases for installation maintenance, shipyard repairs, and other facility enhancements

Invests in Fort Bliss and El Paso:

• Increases the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) by $30 million
• Orders the Defense Health Agency report on action taken to repair water damage of William Beaumont Army Medical Center
• Expands programs for additive manufacturing, aerostructure development, and defense-wide manufacturing and technology by over $32 million
• Funds $429.5 million for the Defense Innovation Unit
• Provides $145.9 billion for in basic and applied scientific research, development, test, and evaluation of new technologies and equipment, and supports the research community, so forces will have the systems and equipment necessary to face tomorrow's challenges

Rejects Republican Poison Pill Riders:

House Democrats were able to strip harmful language that would:

• Prohibit funds for travel expenses related to reproductive healthcare for servicemembers and their families, even when they are stationed in states where it is unavailable
• Block funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community
• Prohibit the use of funds to classify false information as misinformation.
• Create a license for people to discriminate against LGBTQI+ people under the guise of religious liberty and prevent the federal government from adequately responding