NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT

Dear Friends, 
 
I hope you and your families are safe and well. It has been a busy couple of weeks 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. 
 
Honoring our Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day 
 
This Memorial Day, we commemorated those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this nation. May we never forget their contributions to our country and honor their memories. God bless our troops, veterans, their families and the United States of America.  
 
Watch my Memorial Day tribute message here. 
 
My Meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris 

On Tuesday, May 17, I, along with the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the influx of migrants at the border and immigration reform. I was the only member in attendance who represents the U.S. – Mexico border. 

At the meeting, we discussed how to best boost private sector investment and economic development to create jobs and incentivize migrants to stay in their home countries. I continued to stress the importance of establishing an orderly and humane process to address mass migration, discourage the perilous journey to our border and relieve local border communities. I also continued to urge the Biden-Harris administration to develop an infrastructure that allows for migrants to apply for asylum at a U.S embassy in their home country or neighboring country. 

Read more about my meeting with Vice President Harris here. 
 
Jim Hogg County Bill Presentation and Nurses Appreciation 

This week, my staff delivered the signed text of the my bill, the bipartisan Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act, to Jim Hogg County Judge Juan Carlos Guerra and Sheriff Erasmo Alarcon, Jr. Enacted in December 2020, this legislation will help law enforcement with the recovery and identification of missing migrants. 


 
My staff also presented nurses at the Gateway Community Health Clinic in Hebbronville with an American flag flown above the U.S. Capitol to honor them for their service to their community as health care professionals.  

 
Celebration Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. 

Asians and Pacific Islanders have played an integral role in our nation’s history as veterans, service members, political leaders, business owners, artists, educators and more.   

This past year we tragically saw an unprecedented rise in hate crimes against our Asian-Pacific Islander friends and neighbors, even as many from this community worked on the frontlines of the pandemic response. Moving forward, we must stand together and call out this unacceptable bigotry and xenophobia.  

I am proud to represent such a diverse AAPI community living and thriving within the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Furthermore, I am fortunate to have AAPI individuals on my staff and I greatly value their contributions to my team.  

As we honor and celebrate our friends from the Asian and Pacific  Islander  communities  during this commemorative month, may it remind us all of our goal as Americans to cultivate and celebrate our diverse backgrounds and continue to pursue a more equitable society and future for all. 

Supporting our Older Americans and Caregivers this Month 

Caregivers provide an essential service to our aging family members, and we must ensure they have the resources to continue their compassionate work. I’m proud to support our older Americans and caregivers across South and Central Texas and I thank you for your service. 
 
Watch my message to Older Americans and Caregivers here.  
 
American Rescue Plan Federal Funding for Texas Lutheran University 

On Wednesday, May 18, I announced nearly $4 million in emergency funding for  Texas Lutheran University under the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding will help local higher education institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely.  

Our college educators and students have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the American Rescue Plan will get them back on track. 
 
Read more about the funding here. 
 
Funding to Expand UTRGV School of Nursing  

On Tuesday, May 24, I announced a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the City of Pharr to build a facility that will be used by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to expand its School of Nursing. The project is meant to address nursing shortages and allow for the region to prepare for and best respond to COVID-19 and future health-related issues. 
 
The project is expected to create 750 jobs and generate $30 million in private investment. 

Read more about this project here. 
 
Funding for State Veterans Homes Under American Rescue Plan 
 
I announced $1,684,497 for the State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas under the American Rescue Plan on Friday, May 21. This funding is a part of $250 million provided through the  American Rescue Plan to help states upgrade State Veterans Homes across the country.  
  
I am committed to ensuring the 15th District of Texas receives the necessary capital to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 
 
Learn more about this funding here. 
 
Updates & Reminders 
 
Child Tax Credit 
Remember to file your taxes before the upcoming June 15 deadline so that you receive the accurate amount of new advance monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments you are entitled to as soon as possible. 
 
The American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit to up to $3,600 per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17.  

The American Rescue Plan also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021.  Beginning as soon as July and running through December, qualifying families are eligible to receive up to: 

• $300 a month per child for children ages 0 to 5. 
• $250 a month per child for children ages 6 to 17. 

• 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 names(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.