It's been another busy week in 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. Back in Bexar County Results: Infrastructure Updates to the San Antonio Water System This week, I visited with the crew at San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to see the hard work they are doing to ensure that residents of Bexar County have reliable access to clean water. The work done by these crews cannot be understated, and they will always have my support in Congress. Last year, I helped secure over $2 million in federal funding to ensure that their pump stations remain operational under the harshest and often unpredictable conditions. Unified for Law Enforcement I also joined Bexar County Sheriff, Javier Salazar, to discuss the importance of investing in law enforcement initiatives. To do this, leaders at the local, state, and federal levels must be willing to match their rhetoric with actions. Recently, I helped advance $100 million out of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for local law enforcement through Operation Stonegarden. These funds supplement millions of additional dollars that have been allocated to the Byrne JAG and COPS programs, which provide law enforcement with new equipment and training resources. Additionally, I sat down with San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg, to discuss how we can continue partnering to provide the tools and support necessary for our men and women behind the badge. Serving our Servicemembers On Thursday, I headed over to City Hall to chat with Councilman Marc Whyte about the path forward for veterans' services in San Antonio. Improving access to benefits and services for our veterans is one of my biggest priorities in Congress. Through my work on the House Appropriations Committee, I advanced $3.1 billion for veterans’ homeless assistance programs through the VA. This funding package also fully funds veterans' healthcare programs and mental health initiatives. I appreciate Councilman Whyte's commitment to uplifting our local veterans and I look forward to continuing our partnership. Confronting Drug Trafficking in TX-23 This week, I met with Deputy Director, Michael Dromgoole and Executive Director, Tony Garcia, of the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program in San Antonio. Drug trafficking remains one of the most pressing issues that South and West Texas communities face. During our recent markup in the House Appropriations Committee, I voted in favor of $2.52 billion in funding for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to help disrupt human and narcotics smuggling, as well as $6.3 million towards fentanyl detection improvements. Ride Along with Somerset PD I joined Somerset Police Department Chief of Police, Gary Reeves, to see firsthand the challenges their department is facing due to staffing shortages. During our ride along we discussed how federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants can help alleviate some of these issues and provide much-needed resources to attract top-tier recruits as well as cruisers, equipment, and training. I remain dedicated to advocating for these grant requests to be approved once an application is submitted by our men and women in law enforcement across TX-23. Bringing History to Life: A Visit to the Witte Museum Not much excites the kids about Dad's job in Congress, except when dinosaurs are involved! Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Witte Museum in San Antonio to learn more about the great work they are doing to educate the next generation and bring history to life. Having these fun, educational centers for families is just part of what makes TX-23 a great place to live. Supporting Small Business & Local Infrastructure As your Representative in Congress, nothing is more important to me than listening to the communities I represent. It was great to catch up with local business owner, Sarah Sigmon, at Mesquite Creek Outfitters in Del Rio on Friday. We had a productive discussion regarding the challenges business owners are facing. Over the past few years, small businesses have faced obstacles as a result of the Biden Administration’s misguided economic policies. Our small businesses work best when red tape is cut so that entrepreneurs can steer their own ship. I am committed to working in Congress to deliver policies that help their operations grow and thrive. Also on Friday, I joined local residents at Rudy’s BBQ in Del Rio. We discussed the impacts of the border crisis on the community and ways Congress can help to improve local infrastructure. Celebrating TX-23's Finest On Friday, I took some time to express my gratitude and celebrate three of TX-23's incoming and outgoing leaders. First, I attended the change of command ceremony for outgoing National Security Agency (NSA) Colonel, Andrew Steffen, and incoming Colonel, Stacy Kihara. I am thankful for Colonel Steffen's leadership and years of dedicated service to NSA's South Texas operations and am looking forward to a great partnership with Colonel Kihara as she assumes command. Rounding out the week, I attended the promotion celebration of the new Chief of the United States Border Patrol, Jason Owens. Chief Owens has worked hard as the head of operations for the Del Rio Sector, and I am looking forward to working together with him to secure the southern border in his new role. 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]