NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT

Dear Friends,  
 
I hope you and your families are doing 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 serve the people of the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Together, we will continue to seize opportunities and overcome the challenges our communities face.  

Protect Our Community and Get Vaccinated 

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in South Texas. As the Delta Variant spreads, it leaves many in our community vulnerable to infection. Help protect your friends and family and keep everyone safe by getting vaccinated.  

To find a vaccination site near you click here. 

Reintroducing the Repatriate Our Patriots Act (ROPA) 

On Monday, July 12, I proudly reintroduced H.R. 4382, the Repatriate Our Patriots Act (ROPA) with Congressman Don Young (AK-At Large). This bipartisan legislation would create a pathway to citizenship for honorably deported veterans by allowing the naturalization process to take place in their country of residence. 

No man or woman in uniform who was an upstanding member of our Armed Forces should be deported from the country they fought to protect. This is shouldn’t have happened in the first place, but has been taking place for decades. It is time to bring our veterans home. I will work tirelessly with the Biden administration and Congressional Leadership to bring this bill to the floor. 

Watch a heartbreaking story about a deported veteran here.  

Read the full press release here.

Calling on the Biden Administration to Define Clear Thresholds to Reopen the Southern Border 

It makes no sense to close our southern border when the undocumented and Mexican national visa holders can fly in with a negative COVID test. I am urging President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent to explain why our international bridges continue to be closed to legal visa holders. 

Read my full statement here. 

Child Tax Credit 

On Thursday, July 15th, families in the 15th District of Texas began to receive payments from the expanded Child Tax Credit. Eligible families with children will start receiving up to $300 a month for each child to help reduce the financial strain exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This could not have been done without the support of House and Senate Democrats and the Biden administration. Read more about the Child Tax Credit here. 

Voting to Protect Afghans Who Served Alongside Our Troops 

On Thursday, July 22, I joined my House colleagues to pass H.R. 3895, the ALLIES Act of 2021. This bill would make changes to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program (SIV) to allow 8,000 additional visas, strengthen protections for surviving spouses and children of deceased SIV applicants, and streamline SIV processing without compromising the strict background check and national security vetting procedures, or other processes to confirm visa eligibility. 

Learn more here.

My Letter to President Biden On American Access to Mexico’s Energy Market 

On Tuesday, July 20, I led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Biden demanding he look into the Mexican government’s recent actions that undermine the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). 

Read the full letter here. 

Voting to Protect Consumers and Businesses From Scammers 

On Tuesday, July 21st, I voted to restore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ability to get victimized consumers and businesses their money back from scammers and other lawbreakers, an authority the Supreme Court gutted earlier this year. H.R. 2668, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read the release here.  

Statement Opposing the Recent Decision by a Texas Federal Judge’s Decision to Stop Approving New Applications for the DACA Program 

The recent ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen to stop new applications for DACA will leave thousands of immigrant teenagers and young adults in limbo and prevent them from accessing American legal protections. These individuals are productive members of society and Americans in every way except on paper. I am deeply disappointed by this ruling and will continue to fight for a pathway for citizenship for these young people. It’s now on Congress to ensure that we codify these protections for Dreamers. 

My Statement in Support of the Cuban People
 
For too long, Cuba has suffered under dictatorial and socialist rule. Its citizens have been violently oppressed and silenced. I stand with the people of Cuba who have assembled peacefully to demand liberty and fundamental rights to self-determine their own futures. 

Delivering Funds to the McAllen Airport  

On Friday, July 17, I was proud to award the McAllen International Airport with $5.4 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan. This past year, we did our part and stayed home to stop the spread, but that meant those in the travel industry suffered as travel slowed to its lowest level in decades. 

I am proud to secure this funding in the American Rescue Plan because it will allow our travel industry to keep workers employed, continue improvement projects and help our aviation industry recover. 

Read more about the grant here. 
      
My Statement On The Voting Rights Act and the Texas Legislators Breaking Quorum 

The right to vote is an indispensable pillar in the foundation of our democracy. The President and Senate must do whatever is necessary to protect every American’s sacred right to vote. 

Read my full statement here. 

Securing Funds to Enhance Water Infrastructure in Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties  

On Monday, July 12, I announced a combined total of $13,067,900 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the El Oso Water Supply Corporation in Kenedy, Texas. El Oso services five counties including Atascosa, Bee, Karnes, Live Oak and Wilson. This funding will be used to update and improve the quality of rural drinking water.  

Read more about the grant here. 

Celebrating the Opening of Karnes Community Health Center 

Congratulations to the Karnes Community Health Center on their grand opening! I look forward to seeing the amazing work and top-of-the-line medical services they will provide to our community. 

They are located at: 757 S Panna Maria Ave., Karnes City, TX 78118 


National Science Foundation Funding for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 

On Wednesday, July 14, I announced $4.2 million in federal funding to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from the National Science Foundation. This grant will be utilized to increase diversity in higher education institutions, by providing materials to expand enrollment and increase retention in higher education institutions. Diversity in schools, research, and employment helps bring alternative perspectives and new ideas, and I look forward to seeing the great things those at UTRGV will accomplish. 

Read more about the grant here. 

Pharr Housing Authority Scholarship Gala 

On Friday, July 16, I gave the keynote speech at the Pharr House Authority Scholarship Gala which gave close to $235,000 in scholarships to 110 students.  



I am proud of the investments by the Pharr Housing Authority in our next generation of leaders.  


I know the last year has created new learning challenges and I am extremely proud of our graduates perseverance and tenacity.  

Congratulations to all the recipients on your hard work and I can’t wait to see where your education will take you. 

Reminders & Updates  

Get Vaccinated To Protect Against the Delta Variant 

South Texas has led the country in vaccinations, but we’re not out of the woods yet. With the spread of the Delta variant we must be vigilant and protect our community. 
Get vaccinated and help us return back to normal. 

Find locations to get your COVID-19 vaccine here. 

Investing In America’s Communities Program 
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing the $3 billion it received from the American Rescue Plan to fund 6 collective programs: 

* Build Back Better Regional Challenge  
 
* Good Jobs Challenge  

* Indigenous Communities
 
* Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation  
 
* Statewide Planning, Research and Networks  

Please Be Advised: Extreme Passport Delays 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, passport processing centers are experiencing delays in the renewal process. The State Department recommends renewing your passport at least six months before you plan to travel, and urgent day-of appointments are reserved only for life-and-death cases. 
 
The State Department continues to onboard more staff to quickly process the influx of applications, but at the moment routine service can take up to 18 weeks and expedited service can take up to 12 weeks. Don’t wait to renew, apply early! 

• Reduces a borrower’s monthly payment.    
• Provides a $500 appraisal credit to the lender at the time the loan is purchased if an appraisal was obtained for the transaction.    
• Waives the 50 basis point adverse market refinance fee for loans at or below $300,000.    
• Allows a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) up to 65%.    

• 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.