Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Responds to Governor Abbott’s Executive Order Pausing the State’s Reopening

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement in response to Governor Abbott's executive order pausing the state's reopening.

"I am glad Governor Greg Abbott has recognized that we're in the middle of a crisis and is finally taking action; however, more must be done to protect Texans. Governor Abbott failed the people of Texas when he rushed to reopen the state last month. Instead of listening to doctors and public health officials and asking us to cover our face, he was more concerned with covering for President Trump and going back to business as usual.

Because of this, Houston and Texas are now on the brink of becoming the next epicenter of this virus. We have a responsibility to save lives, which is why I urge Governor Abbott to immediately:

1. Institute a statewide face mask order;
2. Empower local officials to enact additional safety procedures of their choosing; and
3. Expand testing and tracing capabilities across Texas.

It is not too late for Governor Abbott to limit the damage already caused by his inaction. I hope he will do what is right for the safety and well-being of our fellow Texans."

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.