Over the last few weeks, I have met with various groups and members of our community in Washington, D.C. to discuss how I can best serve you.

While Republicans unsuccessfully attempted to shut down our federal government, I, along with my colleagues, voted to keep the government open for the next 45 days, avoiding furlough for millions of federal workers and service members and the disruption of a wide range of services, including financial oversight and trash pickup at national parks. Please know that I will continue working with my colleagues across the aisle to keep our government funded. The current stopgap funding bill will continue to fund the government at current spending levels through November 17th and includes additional funding for disaster relief.

Read my full statement here.  

Additionally, on October 3, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House. This is a somber moment for our nation, as it marks the first time in U.S. history a speaker is removed. 

During a time where we should have been working to better our constituents, Republicans wasted time on political pageantry and theatrics because Kevin McCarthy was unable to control his party and put the wellbeing of our nation first. That is why I voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership. 

I recently announced $283,262 in funding to support and promote STEM education in South Texas. Investing and advancing pathways in STEM fields for our students and faculty is vital to the success of our nation. These funds will allow our schools to straighten the STEM pipeline and pave the way for a strong, diverse workforce. 

Our domestic shrimping industry is facing unprecedented challenges and economic losses due to an increase in foreign shrimp imports, high fuel prices, labor shortages, and immigration regulations. Our coastal communities’ economic success depends on having a competitive, and protected, domestic shrimping industry. Protecting our family-owned fishing businesses and Texas Gulf Coast shrimpers will always be a top priority of mine.   

That is why on September 29, 2023, I sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, urging for the department to initiate a review and issue a fishery resource disaster determination for fisheries along the Gulf Coast so that shrimpers may access disaster relief assistance. These much-needed funds will ensure South Texas shrimpers stay afloat. 

Read my letter here.  

One of the most important parts of serving as your U.S. Representative is making sure that federal agencies are working with you and for you. Whether you are having issues with passports, USCIS, OPM, the VA, or the IRS, my staff is here to assist you.   

Should you have questions or need assistance with a federal agency, please call my office at (956) 682-5545 or submit a request online here to speak with someone on my team. 

You may also stop by our Neighborhood Hours where members of my staff come to a city near you to provide these services. 

Thank you so much to everyone who came out during our new Neighborhood Hours! My staff’s next stop will be the City of Harlingen on Thursday, October 19th. Stop by City Hall from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT should you have questions or need assistance.

Stay tuned for more information on when they’ll be in your city next! 

You may be interested to know that Members of Congress can nominate candidates for an appointment to four of the five U.S. Service Academies!

To request a Military Academy Nomination from my office, please complete the form here by 5 p.m. CT on November 17th.  

Interested and want to learn more? Our Military Service Academy Day on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT, at Hanna Early College High School Auditorium, 2615 E. Price Rd., Brownsville, TX 78521. My staff looks forward to speaking with you! 

Please also take a look at this testimonial from Victor, who we assisted with their DACA Renewal! 

*Please do not reply to this email as this inbox is not monitored. Instead, please visit Gonzalez.House.Gov or call us at (956) 682-5545 or (202) 225-2531.*  

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