Infrastructure & Trade

Congresswoman Garcia has fought to strengthen our infrastructure and keep up with the increase in customer demand. That is why she voted in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that invests in our nation’s roads and bridges, access to clean drinking water and reliable internet for all Americans and makes historic investments to public transit.  

The Congresswoman is also focused on advancing solutions to promote safety and improve daily lives for Texans across her district. As the East End transitions into a growing community of small businesses and is surrounded by high-frequency freight rail traffic, it is important to address the frequent train stoppages and rail-to-road traffic.  

During her time in Congress, Congresswoman Garcia has secured many federal investments, including federal grants to assess train safety at 14 train crossings, multiple demonstration projects, and improvements to Houston’s infrastructure to make our communities safer. She also has introduced the Don’t Block our Communities Act, which would prohibit rail carriers from blocking intersections with passing trains for more than 10 minutes. 

In addition, she is a proud member of the House Trade Working Group and recognizes that trade is a major driver of the Texas economy. That is why Congresswoman Garcia supported the USMCA, which promotes increased environmental and working regulations and implemented labor and environmental safeguards. The USMCA also increased trade with Mexico and Canada, which are two of Texas' biggest trading partners, accounting for nearly $165.4 billion of the state’s exports in 2023. Trade with Mexico and Canada also supports about 1 million jobs in Texas, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The renegotiated USMCA: 

  • Removed "Sustained or Recurring" Requirement so that acts of anti-worker violence can be more easily confronted and violations enforced. 

  • Created a new presumption that a labor violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise. 

  • Established Labor Attachés that will be based in Mexico and will provide on-the-ground information about Mexico's labor practices. 

  • Established key benchmarks for Mexico's labor reform implementation process. Failure to comply with these benchmarks will lead to enforcement action under the agreement. 

  • Led to penalties on goods and services that are not produced in compliance with the freedom of association and collective bargaining obligations. 

  • Created a presumption that an environmental violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise. 

  • Established Environment-Focused Attachés in Mexico City that will regularly monitor Mexico's environment laws, regulations, and practices. 

The Congresswoman also fought to ensure that the USMCA included reauthorization of the North American Development Bank, which funds environmental projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. She also supported the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, which supports U.S. companies exporting overseas. 

Congresswoman Garcia is also supportive delivering the resources needed for Port Houston to widen and deepen the Ship Channel, as well as streamline a public private partnership for dredging operations along the Ship Channel. 

For more information concerning work and views related to infrastructure and trade, please contact our office.