Columns
  • House OK's $700 million for border region
    Aug 1, 2010  - Guest Columnist/El Paso Times As we have seen in El Paso, many local governments in the border region are struggling to cope with large budget deficits and pressing law-enforcement needs. With the continued violence across the border, the U.S. House of Representatives stepped up last week to p... More
  • Fill out census form to help El Paso, state
    Mar 7, 2010  - Participating in the 2010 Census is one of the most important ways you can help our community thrive. This month, El Pasoans and people across America will begin receiving their 2010 Census forms, and this year's survey is easier than ever to fill out. With only 10 questions, it takes less than 10 m... More
  • Conferences to Address Border Security, Veterans Small Business Opportunities
    Jul 28, 2009  - As the largest border community in the world, the El Paso/Juarez region is the ideal location to bring together leaders from both the U.S. and Mexico to address some of our most pressing border security problems. Next month, the University of Texas at El Paso, in conjunction with my office, will hos... More
  • Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Would Help Stop Unfair Practices
    May 17, 2009  - Column by Congressman Silvestre Reyes Recently, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing critical legislation to protect consumers from unfair practices by credit card companies. The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights (HR 627) passed the House by a large bipartisan majority... More
  • $8,000 tax credit can help many first-time home buyers
    Apr 29, 2009  - In February, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a bold investment package to create and save millions of jobs to help spur economic growth.  This landmark legislation includes a new $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help stimulate... More
  • Reyes returns from Afghanistan, Pakistan
    Apr 27, 2009  - As Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, it is my responsibility to ensure that our Committee is doing all it can to provide America’s intelligence professionals stationed around the world with the resources they need to effectively carryout their missions.  Last week, I ... More
  • Annual Border Conference puts El Paso in spotlight
    Mar 16, 2009  - On Thursday, I announced that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will provide the keynote address at the 13th Annual Border Issues Conference in Washington, D.C.  Each year, I work in conjunction with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce to organize this event to bring together business professionals, citizens, an... More
  • President Obama Signs SCHIP Legislation Into Law
    Feb 7, 2009  - Last month, I joined a bi-partisan majority in the House of Representatives in passing legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in low-income families.  The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act was approved by a vote of 289-139.  The bill is similar ... More
  • U.S. must invest in land ports of entry
    Dec 1, 2008  - Recently, I joined Customs and Border Protection in announcing new expanded hours at two of our ports of entry.  To help relieve bridge congestion and wait times, the Stanton Street Bridge now opens two hours earlier on weekends at 8:00 a.m., and the cargo lane at the Ysleta port of entry is now ope... More
  • New SBA position in El Paso will help small business secure federal contracts
    Nov 21, 2008  - Last month, I was proud to announce that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has agreed to hire an El Paso-based Procurement Center Representative (PCR). The PCR is a federal position in the SBA responsible for developing and implementing plans to increase the share of federal contracts awarded ... More