El Paso Rep. Veronica Escobar tapped to give Spanish-language response to Trump’s State of the Union

WASHINGTON – El Paso Rep. Veronica Escobar will give Democrats’ Spanish-language response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday.

The freshman lawmaker said she was honored by the selection, adding that she looked “forward to addressing our nation on the progress Democrats have made ‘For the People.’”

“Our diversity is our strength,” she said in a written statement, which she shared on Twitter in both English and Spanish. “Now more than ever, Democrats will continue to celebrate our diversity, defend our democracy, and work for a more equal and just nation.”

The duty is the second plum assignment for a freshman Texas Latina in as many weeks.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, was last week tapped by Pelosi to serve as one of the Democrats’ seven impeachment managers in the Senate trial against Trump, putting her in a national spotlight as she helps lay out the case against the president.

Escobar’s assignment carries lower stakes, though the opportunity to give the response to a president’s State of the Union speech is a coveted one often reserved for up-and-comers.

POLITICS

Houston Rep. Sylvia Garcia named an impeachment manager by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

BY TOM BENNING

Pelosi, D-Calif., called Escobar an “outstanding member of Congress,” noting that she and Garcia were the first Texas Latinas ever elected to Congress. She said Escobar’s “values and vision beautifully represent our party and our country.”

Schumer, D-N.Y., added that “at times like these, we need champions to step up.”

“Whether it’s giving a voice to Latinos across America, or helping her home town of El Paso heal after gun violence, or holding the Trump administration accountable for its assaults on the vulnerable … Escobar has embodied the best of public service,” he said.

Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address on Feb. 4. Pelosi and Schumer also announced that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will give the English-language Democratic response, which will precede Escobar’s Spanish-language speech.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Samantha Cotten on Friday called Escobar “just another Pelosi puppet who is more than willing to sell out her constituents for political gain.”

“With historic low unemployment rates for the Hispanic community and a booming economy, President Trump has delivered on his promises and Texans will remember that when they reelect him in November,” she said.

Texas Democratic Party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, in turn, called Escobar a “fearless champion whose leadership on issue after issue has made an undeniable, outsized impact in her first term in Congress.”

“She is an inspiration to Texans everywhere,” he said.