Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act
Sponsored By: Representative Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Introduced
Summary
Would bar federal funds for eminent domain and border-wall related construction at Mount Cristo Rey to protect the site's religious and cultural use. The bill would prohibit using federal funds to litigate United States of America v. 14.259 Acres of Land, No. 2:26-cv-01458 (D.N.M.) or to pursue any eminent domain action affecting Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico. It also would bar federal funds to construct, install, operate, or maintain roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors, or related structures on or near the mountain. Congress finds Mount Cristo Rey is a holy site owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, visited by over 40,000 people annually, home to a 29-foot statue dedicated in October 1939, and a destination for annual pilgrimages from Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Prevent Federal Eminent Domain at Cristo Rey
This bill would stop the federal government from using Federal funds to pursue eminent domain or related security construction at Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico. The bill would bar Federal funds to litigate United States of America v. 14.259 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situated in Dona Ana County, State of New Mexico, No. 2:26-cv-01458 (D.N.M. filed May 7, 2026). It would also bar Federal funds for any other action relating to eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey. The bill would bar Federal funds to construct, install, operate, or maintain roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors, or related structures on or near Mount Cristo Rey. If enacted, these limits would take effect upon enactment and would protect the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces (landowner), nearby residents, visitors, and local businesses at that site.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov