Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) held a ‘Conversations with Cuellar’ to discuss the passage of the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act and the Congressional Gold Medal for Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza. He also provided an update on the situation at the southern border.

“As a South Texan and American, I have worked diligently to pass the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act. ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata, originally from Brownsville, Texas, was killed by Mexican drug cartel members in San Luis Potosi, Mexico on February 15, 2011. His murderer will not be brought to justice because of a loophole in our current law. I introduced this bipartisan legislation in the House to close that loophole and ensure the safety of all federal employees serving our nation abroad,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I also cosponsored the Congressional Gold Medal Resolution to honor our fallen servicemembers in Afghanistan by presenting them with the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously. I spoke on the floor the United State House of Representatives, to honor Lance Corporate David Lee Espinoza. David was from Rio Bravo, Texas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school because he wanted to defend his country. Our community was heart-broken with the news of his death, we continue to mourn him. May the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions, honor these heroes.”

You can view Congressman Cuellar’s speech commemorating David Lee Espinoza on the House Floor by clicking here.

Congressman Cuellar Continued, “Additionally, we are approaching the Nov. 8^th date set to re-open our border to fully vaccinated non-essential travelers. We are increasing our vaccination efforts on both sides of the border to make this transition as smooth as possible. The border contracts were terminated and now we are increasing our security on the border with technology and equipment. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense will take over operations of tactical aerostat systems (TAS) on the southern border. The aerostats will continue to support USBP by providing round-the-clock regional domain awareness and long-range ground surveillance of the United States-Mexico border. In addition to the TAS and other surveillance technologies, USBP receives support from U.S Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO).  To protect our border we need more technology, equipment, and personnel.”

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