Dear john,
I secured language to reform the Presidential permit process in the Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs House appropriations bill. The language will streamline and expedite the Presidential permit approval process for bridges, including the World Trade Bridge expansion project in Laredo.
Presidential permits are required for construction projects at border crossings. Obtaining a permit currently requires an environmental review, which often takes years to complete. My language would direct the President to issue conditional permits for projects while environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are ongoing.
Laredo is the nation’s #1 inland port of entry, and our infrastructure is critical to achieving that. I will continue to fight for improved infrastructure in our border communities.
As always, if you need help with a federal agency, please contact one of my offices: - Washington, DC: (202) 225-1640
- Laredo: (956) 725-0639
- San Antonio: (210) 271-2851
- Rio Grande City: (956) 487-5603
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Last week, I presided over the House Appropriations Homeland Security markup for the first time as Ranking Member.
When it comes to the border, the current Appropriations Homeland Security bill relies on outdated strategies that we know do not work. For example, the bill would require $2.1 billion be rescinded and reappropriated for wall construction, a 14th Century solution to a 21st Century problem. In January of this year: - 97% of fentanyl
- 94% of heroin
- 98% of methamphetamine
were seized at ports of entry and interior checkpoints. Walls will have no impact on those challenges. During the markup, I introduced an amendment that would have provided additional funding to counter the flow of illicit narcotics into the country, help disrupt and dismantle the transnational criminal networks responsible for it, and implement measures with our partners in the region to reduce the likelihood of dangerous persons attempting to enter our country at our southern land border. Unfortunately, it was not adopted.
Notwithstanding these challenges and gaps, I do want to acknowledge that there are a number of bipartisan funding initiatives included in its current state. The bill includes increased funding to sustain existing and acquire some additional Border Security Technology capabilities, increased funding for Homeland Security Investigations, and increased funding for TSA screening technology at passenger checkpoints.
I look forward to continuing our work together, so that by the end of this year's appropriations process, we can produce a final, bipartisan bill with overwhelming support.
Click here to watch a clip of my committee remarks. |
I also attended the House Appropriations Defense bill markup.
I have the honor of representing JBSA-Randolph in my district. As an Appropriator representing Military City, USA in Congress, along with my colleague, Tony Gonzales, I will continue to fight for improved equipment, conditions, and services for our military.
Click here to watch a clip of my committee remarks. |
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Congratulations to David and Emily Davila, this year's recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal for the 28th Congressional District of Texas. The Congressional Award program is an opportunity for young people to achieve personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. For their achievements, David and Emily attended this year's Gold Medal Summit in Washington, DC, and I had the opportunity to congratulate them personally. Again, congratulations! |
I met with Earthjustice and local Laredo farmer Manuel Juarez, Jr., to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill. With so many farmers and ranchers in TX-28, this year's Farm Bill is crucial to ensuring South Texas agriculture continues to flourish.
Thank you for stopping by! |
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I hosted former Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez and former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Mark Green in my Washington, DC office.
Thank you for stopping by! I look forward to continuing our work together and strengthening the ties between the United States and Colombia. |
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Thank you to Rachael Martindale from Cibolo for visiting me in Washington, DC on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Teen Advocacy Day. Cystic fibrosis and cystic fibrosis-related infections affect millions of Americans each year.
I will continue to utilize my position in Congress to ensure increased access to quality healthcare and combat this disease. |
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I hosted a roundtable with more than a dozen South Texas labor unions. Attendees included members of the Texas and San Antonio American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Communication Workers of America (CWA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
I am proud to stand with the working men and women of South Texas. I want to thank the more than 60 union members who joined my roundtable. They raised numerous issues that will continue to inform my work in Washington. I will continue to fight for good wages, more apprenticeship and job opportunities, and better funding for worker protection programs and labor law enforcement efforts. |
I held a webinar on funding opportunities for mental health services.
Robert McKenna, Acting Regional Administrator for the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Region 6, and representatives from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) discussed a wide range of funding opportunities for mental health services.
If you have any questions on the opportunities presented, please contact my Grants Coordinator, Randy Aguilar, at [email protected]. |
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A big thank you to Teach For America for inviting Alexis Gallegos from my Rio Grande City office to your 2023 Community Welcome Dinner.
Working together, we will continue reimagining the education system and expanding opportunities for all children.
We appreciate all of our educators! |
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My office joined Atascosa County's Veteran Resource Fair to provide veterans with information on what our office can do to assist them in their cases with the VA, National Archives, and other agencies.
If you, or a veteran you know, need assistance with a federal agency, please contact my office. |
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Thank you to the Laredo Pony League and the City of Laredo for inviting my office to your press conference to kick off the 2023 Pony World Series.
The 2023 Pony World Series Softball and Baseball Tournaments will be held from July 10-15 and July 26-31 in Laredo.
Best of luck to everyone! |
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Thank you to the City of San Antonio for inviting Eric Cleveland from my office to your cyber security briefing.
Cyber security is a rising necessity in modern life, and my office and I will continue working with local entities to ensure they have access to all resources available. |
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Thank you to the Mayor of Laredo, Dr. Victor Treviño, and the City of Laredo for inviting Melissa Peña from my office to join you for the proclamation of June 21st as Make Music Day in Laredo.
Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day is celebrated on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries around the world. |
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It was another successful Juneteenth Festival in San Antonio and my office was happy to be a part of it.
Thank you to everyone that made it special. |
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Congratulations, Monita's Groceries, for your 69 years of service to the Laredo community.
Thank you for allowing Melissa Peña from my office to present you with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition. |
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Congratulations to Maddox Thompson on being accepted into the United States Air Force Academy.
It was a pleasure nominating you, and I know you will make South Texas proud. |
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For more information on available federal grant opportunities, visit my website or contact my Grants Coordinator, Randy Aguilar, at [email protected]. |
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