NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your families are safe and well. It has been a busy week and I wanted to provide you with a brief update about what we have been working on to service the people of the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Together, we will continue to seize opportunities and overcome the challenges our communities face.
United Way and Child Tax Credit
On Friday, I hosted a virtual press conference with Lilly-Lopez Killelea, President of United Way South Texas and Donna Hurley, Vice President of Community Impact of the United Way of the Coastal Bend to discuss the importance of filing your 2020 taxes early and taking advantage of the expanded Child Tax Credit.
The American Rescue Plan, which I helped pass, includes new advance monthly payments of up to $300 coming as soon as July. This will help set America’s children up for success by putting more money in the pockets of hardworking parents to pay for childcare or other necessary expenses.
I strongly encourage you all to please file your taxes early and take advantage of this tax credit. More information is available here.
Watch the press conference here.
Oil and Gas Meeting
As Chair of the Oil and Gas Caucus, I brought our caucus members together for a virtual meeting with leaders from the American Petrochemical and Fuel Manufacturers to discuss our short and long-term priorities for the 117th Congress. Energy workers are the backbone of our economy and it is critical that we engage with them to ensure carbon policy, renewable fuel standards, and infrastructure packages do not leave them behind.
Police Week
On Wednesday evening, I spoke on the House Floor to honor the fallen police officers and Border Patrol agents who have fallen in the line of duty over the past year. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice for our community and country. I will always stand with our law enforcement officers and work on their behalf.
Watch the speech here or below:
More than $1 Million in Federal Grants Awarded to UTRGV
This week, I announced over $1.13 million in U.S. Health and Human Services Department grants to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
This funding will support the Head Start Program, Physician Assistant Training in Primary Care, and Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry Research.
Read more about the grants here.
Meeting with Live Oak County Residents About Immigration and Border Security
On Tuesday, May 11, my staff attended a meeting in Live Oak County to discuss residents’ concerns with the recent rise in bailouts and human trafficking cases. Please know that I am pushing the Biden Administration to address these issues and establish a system where asylum seekers can apply in their home or neighboring country. We must work together in a bipartisan way to solve the immigration challenges we face.
(Congressman Gonzalez's Northern District Director Albert Martinez is seen seated third from the left.)
Rio Grande Valley Colleges and Universities To Receive American Rescue Plan Funding
I recently announced more than $175 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in the Rio Grande Valley under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness and other hardships. The American Rescue Plan, which I voted for, provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.
Read more about the funding here.
Friend of the Farm Bureau Award
On Thursday, May 6th, members of the Texas Farm Bureau presented me with a “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for my support for farmers and ranchers during the 116th Congress. Throughout my tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have advocated for agriculture producers in Central and South Texas.
I am honored to receive the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award and vow to continue supporting Central and South Texas agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, and their families are a cornerstone of our region’s economy; their reach spreads throughout the United States and the world. To every producer and farmworker, thank you for your essential work.
Updates & Reminders
FCC Emergency Broadband Program
I am encouraging residents of the 15th District of Texas to utilize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) emergency broadband program. The FCC program provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband (high-speed internet) bills for qualifying low-income households.
To learn more about the program and apply, click here.
FEMA AND SBA WINTER STORM DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO CLOSE ON MAY 20, 2021
On Friday, May 7th, Congressman Gonzalez announced that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will stop accepting registrations and applications for the February 2021 Texas Winter Storm Disaster Assistance Programs in two weeks. The deadline to register with FEMA and apply with the Small Business Administration (SBA) is Thursday, May 20, 2021.
Texas residents and businesses recovering from uninsured or underinsured losses and damage caused by February’s severe winter storms have two weeks left to register for disaster assistance with FEMA and apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan.
Eligible applicants may quickly register with FEMA by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) to register.
The toll-free phone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT, daily. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
SBA Targeted EIDL Advance Applications
SBA is now accepting requests to reevaluate declined Targeted EIDL Advance applications. To request a reevaluation, applicants should follow these steps:
- Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Reevaluation Request for [insert your 10-digit application number]”
- Include in the body of the email identifying information for the application including application number, business name, business address, business owner name(s), and phone number.
- Please also include an explanation and any documentation that addresses the reason for the decline, if available. SBA will contact applicants if additional documentation is required to complete our review.
SBA Shuttered Vendors Grant
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Shuttered Vendors Grant portal is now working after it's turbulent opening.
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. Eligible applicants include: Live venue operators or promoters, Theatrical producers, Live performing arts organizations operators, Museum operators, Motion picture theater operators (including owners), Talent representatives.
Apply for the grant here.
SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The Restaurant Revitalization Program is now accepting applications.
This program passed in the American Rescue Plan will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.
More information on eligibility and the application process available here.
USDA Disaster Designation
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack approved additional Secretarial disaster area designations for drought for the following contiguous counties in the 15th District of Texas: Karnes, Guadalupe, and Wilson.
With this designation, those affected by recent drought may be eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA) assistance.
The full USDA disaster designation list can be found here.
Tax Filing Deadline
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced earlier this month that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to June 15, 2021.
Read the IRS' press release here.
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 in relation 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 |
