It's been another busy week in TX-23 and D.C. 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 TX-23: Bexar & Medina County Mental Health, Veterans & Agriculture Monday morning, I joined the San Antonio Police Department's Mental Health Unit (MHU) for a ride-along to see their operations firsthand when responding to a mental health dispatch. Access to mental health care is of regional and national concern, which is why specialized law enforcement, such as SAPD’s MHU, is a vital community resource. Last year, I secured $1 million for SAPD through the House Appropriations Committee, and I’m glad to see those resources already in action. Monday afternoon, I also met with the owners of the Rustic Ranch in Medina County to hear more about their work to provide therapeutic support for our servicemembers who are working to improve their mental and physical health. This veteran-owned and operated organization provides this care through ranch life activities and horseback riding. My final stop was with stakeholders of the Medina County Farm Bureau to discuss the issues that farmers and ranchers are facing because of the crisis at our southern border. Last month, I helped advance legislation that urges the Secretary of Agriculture to reimburse landowners for property damages caused by migrants illegally trespassing on private property. Securing the border is more than just a national security issue – it’s an economic security issue as well. Discussing the Crisis at the Southern Border States like Texas have spent billions of dollars to secure the southern border in the absence of any effort from the Biden Administration to do so. Although state-led enforcement has been effective and much-needed, it's past time for the federal government to come together on this issue and provide meaningful relief to our border communities. On Monday, I spoke with Elizabeth MacDonald on the Evening Edit to discuss how I am leading this charge in Congress. To watch the full interview, click here or below. Fighting for Our Troops - National Defense Authorization Act On Friday, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA). I voted in favor of the bill and secured a total of $242 million for servicemembers across TX-23. This includes $158 million for JBSA-Lackland, $74 million for a new rail yard in Fort Bliss, and $10.8 million for the construction of an F-16 Mission Training Center at JBSA. To read my full statement, click here. Strengthening Cybersecurity - NDAA As part of the overall NDAA package, my amendment to shift the balance of power in the global war on cybersecurity was included. This amendment establishes a national digital reserve corps that combines our existing federal resources with the ingenuity of the private sector. As a former naval cryptologist, I know firsthand the important role that cybersecurity plays in our national defense. Advocating for Military Families Additionally, my amendment to increase the Family Separation Allowance (FSA) was passed in the House as part of the NDAA. In total, this accounts for an increase of nearly 40 percent in these payments. This allowance is provided to military members and their spouses when they are called to report for active duty and their family is unable to live together. Serving in the U.S. military requires sacrifice not just from the servicemember, but from their family as well. The dedication of both should be rewarded accordingly. Caring for our Border Personnel Earlier this week, I offered two amendments in the House Homeland Security Committee focused on improving the mental health of Border Patrol Agents and Customs officers. The first ensures that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers access to service animals as a method of treatment for mental health, while the second strengthens protections around any retaliation taken against personnel who come forward with a mental health issue. 14 Border Patrol Agents and CBP officers died by suicide last year. My amendments that passed through the committee and were included in the overall bill, H.R. 2577 - the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act, will provide much-needed mental health support for our law enforcement officers. To watch my full remarks, click here or below. Fighting Back Against Fentanyl I took part in a Homeland Security Committee hearing this week focused on the fentanyl crisis plaguing our neighborhoods. During the hearing, I focused my questioning on the use of drones in drug cartel operations to smuggle illegal fentanyl across the southern border. In TX-23, our border communities are on the frontlines combatting the opioid epidemic. I am leading the fight in Congress to halt the cartels from bringing any more of this poison into our communities. To watch my full remarks from the hearing, click here or below. Global War on Terrorism Memorial On Thursday evening, I attended the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation's event to celebrate the progress being made on the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in D.C. with my fellow For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). I have worked hand-in-hand with the Foundation to see this project through to the end. I look forward to visiting the completed memorial after it opens! 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]