Republicans in South Texas scored a victory in June by helping to elect Mayra Flores as the United States House of Representative for District 34, a region that has long been considered a Democrat district.
Flores introduced her first bill on August 2. The Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2022 will improve coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies working along the border.
“I came to Congress promising to solve problems confronting our district, and this is exactly what my first bill delivers. I’m proud this bill is being introduced and lauded by Members on both sides of the aisle, as a more secure border means safer and more prosperous communities across this land,” said Flores in a press release.
“It is evident, from what we are witnessing at our southern border, that the only group benefiting from this self-inflicted chaos are criminals, drug and human traffickers, and the cartels. Our bill will put an end to this by bettering our law enforcement coordination and their ability to counter these dangerous groups. I thank my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan and bicameral effort.”
The Advanced Border Coordination Act calls for the establishment of two “command centers” that will allow the Department of Homeland Security and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate activities. Participation in the information-sharing is voluntary, according to the act.
Flores defeated Democratic challenger Dan Sanchez in a special election to replace Filemon Vela, who surrendered his seat to take a lobbying job. She will face election again in January and will face an established Democrat in a more-blue district. Texas redistricting transformed the South Texas district from one that President Biden won by 4% to a district he would have taken by 16%.
“The only thing the [National Republican Campaign Committee] proved last night is that they can barely get their MAGA Republican candidates across the finish line when they outspend the Democrat 20 to 1, and if only 7% of the electorate turns out to vote,” DCCC spokesperson Monica Robinson told the Texas Tribune following the special election. “This seat is a rental for Republicans, and we look forward to welcoming Vicente Gonzalez back to Congress this fall.”
While campaigning, Flores called out Democrats, claiming they are failing the communities in South Texas by refusing to take border security seriously. After winning the election, Flores said in an interview that her victory was because Democrats “feel entitled to [Latinos’] vote.”
Flores is one of only a few Republicans to represent Texans along the southern border. Flores was born in Mexico before lawfully immigrating to the U.S. as a child and becoming a naturalized citizen while a teenager. She ran for Congress on a platform of addressing inflation, the rising cost of living, and border security.
The bill that Flores introduced was co-signed by Congressman Dave Joyce (R-OH), Representative Susie Lee (R-NV), and Chris Pappas (D-NH). A companion bill was introduced in the Senate earlier this year. That bill is being carried by Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV).