NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families are safe and well. As you may know, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed in to law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. This $1.9 trillion legislation will help us fight and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. With the American Rescue Plan, we will mount a national vaccine program, contain COVID-19, safely re-open schools, and deliver immediate relief to working families who are bearing the brunt of the health crisis.

More than $1.5 Billion in Aid for 15th District of Texas

I helped secure $504 million for the 15th District of Texas for state and local governments in the American Rescue Plan Act.. Read my release here. These funds will help our communities recover from the devastation wrought by the pandemic.

Furthermore, I helped secure more than $1 billion for local schools to re-open safely. Read more about this relief here and here.

American Rescue Plan Press Conference

I held a press conference on Monday, March 15 at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ​to explain in detail how this legislation will empower and provide relief to the people of the 15th District. 

Watch the press conference here. 

American Rescue Plan Resources for Working Families & Businesses

If you are wondering when and how you and your family will receive your stimulus check or how to apply for a small business loan, more information is available below. 

For information on tax credits and stimulus checks, click here.

For information on small business funding options, click here.

Congressman Gonzalez Visits Brooks County

I recently helped organize the transfer of 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg to Brooks County. 

Thanks to the Army National Guard, Brooks County Emergency Management, Brooks County Independent School District, the Texas Department of State and Health Services, and the wonderful volunteers, this vaccine clinic was a success. 

I will continue working to secure vaccines for rural communities in our district so that every South and Central Texan has access to this critical vaccine.

Congressman Gonzalez CNN Interview on Immigration

I am closely monitoring the situation on our southern border and working tirelessly to inform those in Washington and around the country about the reality on the ground. On Monday, I spoke with CNN about this and reiterated the importance of establishing an infrastructure that allows migrants to seek asylum in their home countries. We must make this process orderly, humane, and safe for Border Patrol Agents who are on the frontlines.

If you would like to see the interview, click here.

Congressman Gonzalez Passes Rural VAWA Protections for Women

On Thursday, we voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. This historic and bipartisan legislation will provide protection and care for victims of domestic violence. This bill also includes my legislation, the VAWA Protection for Rural Women Act, which every woman and victim deserves safe housing options no matter where they live. Watch my video statement here or below. 

Reminders & Updates

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

On Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. CST, I will host a virtual discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout on my Facebook Page. We will discuss current, past and future challenges to an equitable and accessible distribution of vaccines. Panelists will include:

• Dr. Robert D. Martinez, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
• Eduardo Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services
  
  
• Dr. Emilie Prot, DO, MPH, Regional Medical Director, Region 11, Texas Department of State Health Services
  
  
• Dr. Jennifer A. Wood, Acting Chief of Staff, VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System

The discussion will be moderated by Dr. John Krouse, Executive Vice President and Dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine.

It should be a lively discussion and I hope you will join and ask questions. 

As always it is my sincere honor to represent the 15th District of Texas. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns relating to federal matters.

*Please do not respond 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.*

Sincerely,

Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress