It's been another busy week in Washington and TX-23. I am proud to serve our district in Congress. Each day, I work to address your concerns and protect our liberties. From helping you navigate federal casework to addressing your concerns, my team and I are always here to help. Please read below for some updates on my recent work representing you in Washington, D.C. and back home in TX-23. Working for you in Washington Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border Last week, I spoke at the Wilson Center’s “Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border Conference", where we discussed how trade, commerce, and border security go hand in hand. Too often, Washington politicians refuse to come to the table and work on the major problems our nation is facing. Worker shortages and a lack of border security is impacting Main Street communities across TX-23 and the entire country – I’m working hard to mitigate these two issues in Congress. It’s time to put political theatre aside and get back to the business of producing tangible results for the American people. Click the video below to watch my remarks. Backing TX-23 Communities On Friday, I held a productive discussion with county judges, mayors, sheriffs, and school superintendents across TX-23. During our meeting, I was pleased to share the recent funding I secured through my work on the House Appropriations Committee. I'm proud to announce this package includes millions of dollars for TX-23 communities to improve our border security, aid our farmers and ranchers, assist our veterans, and much more. TX-23 – you have an ally, a fighter, and an advocate in me! I’ll never stop pushing to deliver resources to South and West Texas. To read my full statement, click here. Putting Partisanship Aside for our Vets Also on Friday, I joined my fellow For Country Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), on Fox News. We discussed the bipartisan efforts our group is working on to strengthen policies that will build up our national security endeavors and improve the quality of life for veterans and servicemembers across America. To see the full interview, click here. The bipartisan For Country Caucus provides its principled military veteran members the opportunity to work together across party lines to pass thoughtful legislation pertaining to national security, veterans’ affairs, and military service. To learn more about the For Country Caucus, click here. Schools are for Students - Period. Last week, I voted in favor of H. Res. 461. This resolution condemns using elementary and middle school facilities to provide shelter for unhoused illegal migrants. Turning schools into housing centers for migrants compromises our duty to educate the next generation and keep them safe.  Children have already faced historic learning losses due to COVID. There is no room for educational resources to be diverted from our kids. Bolstering Defense Priorities in TX-23 On Thursday, I voted to advance the FY24 Defense Appropriations bill. The package includes several priorities that will strengthen military operations across TX-23. Specifically, it includes $158 million in funding that will go toward the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to upgrade local infrastructure projects in areas that support military instillations. To read my full statement, click here. Protecting Reliable Energy for Families in TX-23 Also on Thursday, I voted to advance the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This bill contains two provisions that protect Texans’ freedom to drive a gas-powered vehicle or own a gas stove.   The Biden Administration continues to push for a “rush-to-green” agenda that strips consumers of their fuel options, drives up costs, and lowers Texas energy production. Their half-baked green ideas are dead on arrival in the House of Representatives! To read my full statement, click here. Celebrating Talent in TX-23: Congressional Art Competition It was great to host Liliana Reza Marquez and her family in my Washington D.C. office last week. Liliana was selected as TX-23's 2023 Congressional Art Competition winner. She attends Socorro High School and looks forward to studying architecture when she graduates.  Her artwork will proudly hang in the U.S. Capitol over the next year. I look forward to showing her work to constituents who visit my office in D.C. My team and I are always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact my office at any time. Washington, D.C. 2244 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4511 Del Rio 712 East Gibbs Street, Suite 101 Del Rio, TX 78840 830-308-6200 Fort Stockton 103 West Callaghan Street Fort Stockton, TX 79735 432-299-6200 San Antonio 4372 N. Loop 1604 W, Suite 205 San Antonio, TX 78249 210-806-9920 Socorro 10167 Socorro Road Socorro, TX 79927 915-990-1500 Uvalde 2401 Garner Field Road, Building Q Uvalde, TX 78801 830-333-7410 Visit our Website Rep. Gonzales | 2244 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington , DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]