GOP map would strip Fort Bliss, El Paso airport from US Rep. Veronica Escobar's District 16
The map, released Wednesday morning, follows two rounds of hearings in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. Hundreds of Texans turn out to oppose the plan that is part of President Donald Trump's scheme to maintain Republican control over the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm election.
Under the Republican plan, Fort Bliss and the airport would now fall under the representation of U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio. For Escobar, that spells disaster.
'Republicans, at the behest of Donald Trump, have engaged in a mid-decade redistricting that will impact federal representation for urban communities in Texas, including El Paso," Escobar, D-El Paso, said in a statement. "The current proposed map strips major parts of El Paso County, all of Fort Bliss, the El Paso International Airport (ELP), and the new Veterans Affairs Health Care Center (that I was able to secure $700 million in funding for) from having local representation."
"Instead, they are moved to a district that spans from San Antonio to the Borderland, includes two other military installations, and holds the conflicting interests of 27 counties across Texas (forcing Fort Bliss, our airport, and VA Center to compete for limited and shrinking resources)," she continued. "This means our needs would be handed over to a representative who regularly votes against the interests of El Pasoans (who has voted to cut Medicare, Medicaid, veterans programs, nutrition programs, infrastructure funding, water and wastewater funding, and more), only briefly visits the district when time permits, and who prioritizes assets and needs of constituents who are closer to his home in San Antonio."
Escobar noted that the proposed map is "nearly identical to the 2021 proposed map that El Pasoans successfully pushed back against, proving definitively that this fight isn't over."
More: OPINION: Texas redistricting is an attack on our democracy and minority communities
"We've been through this redistricting battle before and El Pasoans stood up to demand our community be represented by someone who lives here, not over 500 miles away," she said. "I'd encourage El Pasoans to stay engaged and informed, and participate in the hearing scheduled for Friday and make their voices heard.'
The new congressional map would have to be presented to the Texas Senate and House of Representatives in the form of a bill over the next couple of weeks and then voted on in both chambers.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Proposed Texas GOP map moves Fort Bliss to San Antonio district
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