Washington, D.C.—Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) led a letter to House Leadership, calling for federal funding of the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) in any subsequent COVID package. The full authorized amount of $33 million will provide economic stability and relief to constituents by funding infrastructure projects and creating jobs in Southwest border communities.

“The Southwest Border Regional Commission was created to address the economic challenges faced by communities along the border. However, the Commission lacks the necessary federal funding to address these challenges,” said Congressman Cuellar. “For this reason, we are urging House leadership to fund the SBRC in the next COVID-19 stimulus package so we can build critical infrastructure, expand our workforce, and strengthen our communities during these challenging times. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to funding programs that encourage economic and community development on our southern border. I want to thank Congresswoman Torres Small and her dedication to expanding economic opportunity throughout the region.”

“Our vibrant border community is critical to economic health in southern New Mexico. While day-to-day life has changed overnight, many families and local businesses are working hard to adapt. The Southwest Border Regional Commission, previously authorized with bipartisan support, would help provide stability and relief in communities along the southern border. Today, I join my colleague Henry Cuellar in calling on leadership to include SBRC funding in the next COVID-19 package,” said Torres Small.

The SBRC was created to address economic distress in the southern border regions of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. One of seven authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, the SBRC is a congressionally chartered, federal-state partnership created to provide economic development in respective service areas. Although authorized in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-234), along with the Northern Border Regional Commission and the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, the SBRC is the only one of these commissions to have never received a corresponding federal appropriation.

By law, the Commission would work for a total of 93 counties on the southwest border - Arizona (10 counties), California (7), New Mexico (11), and Texas (65). To see a map of the Southwest Border Regional Commission, click here.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), and Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) co-signed this letter. To read Reps. Cuellar and Torres Small’s letter to House leadership, click here.