NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope your 2022 is off to a good start 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 I 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.
Spoke with Local Media about My Experience on January 6th a Year Later
January 6, 2022, marked one year since violent insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol and attempted to disrupt the certification of the election results.
I was in the House Gallery when the insurrectionists breached the Capitol. Without the brave and diligent efforts of U.S. Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. National Guard, and other military personnel, many more could have been hurt.
Reflecting on this moment, I am proud of how our country came together after this attack and how resilient our democracy remains in the face of adversity. I am proud we did not let the mobs stop us from fulfilling our duty that day. Later that night, my House colleagues and I returned to certify our election and ensure the peaceful transition of power.
Announced the First Apportionments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the State of Texas
On Friday, January 14, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make important repairs to bridges in South Texas and across the nation.
With this funding, Texas will receive $537.1 million to update dilapidated and unstable bridges throughout the state. In the 15th District of Texas alone there are 1,398 bridges—many of which are considered in “poor” condition. This is an investment in our future, our economy, and in the people of South Texas.
The Texas Department of Transportation will release local amounts at a later date.
Read the press release here.
Voted to Pass the GI Parity Bill
On Wednesday, January 12t, I voted to pass H.R. 1836, Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021.
This bill allows National Guard members and Reservists to receive active-duty service credit for GI Bill eligibility every day they are in uniform. It is past time for our National Guard and Reservists to receive the same benefits as other active-duty members in the military. They have time and time again stepped up to protect our nation, rebuild communities, resettle refugees and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. H.R. 1836 will ensure members of the National Guard and Reserve have access to benefits that reflect their contributions to our safety and security.
Read the press release here.
Announced the Opening of the 2020 Census Count Question Resolution Operation (CQR)
On Friday, January 7, I announced the opening of the United States Census Bureau’s “2020 Census Count Question Resolution Operation (CQR)”. This program will allow local entities who believe their region was miscounted to request the Census Bureau review their boundaries and housing counts.
Updating these numbers will ensures accurate federal, state, and local funding and population counts. This process will not affect redistricting data, apportionment counts or any other 2020 Census data.
Find out more here and read the press release here.
Announced Funding for McAllen ISD School Safety Resources
On Wednesday, January 5, I announced a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program for McAllen Independent School District (ISD). With this funding, McAllen ISD will develop best practices, training, and violence prevention.
Our students and teachers should not have to worry about the safety of learning environments. This grant will further equip McAllen ISD with the tools needed to identify and prevent violence and harmful acts before they happen.
Read the press release here.
Reminders & Updates
Fiscal Year 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety Program Application Period Opening
The FY 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, until Friday, February 18, 2022.
This grant would provide $46 million for national, regional, state, local, tribal, non-profit organizations, and eligible fire departments to create fire prevention programs and support firefighter health and safety research.
For additional information and to apply for the FY 2021 FP&S Program, please visit here.
USDA Reconnect Program Still Open!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $1.15 billion available through the USDA’s ReConnect program.
On November 24, the Department began taking applications for grants and loans to assist rural areas access high-speed internet.
To see if you qualify and to apply, click here.
Rental Assistance Resources
The pandemic has hit many individuals and families hard. Resources are available to help those struggling with rental payments and looming eviction notices.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (956) 682-5545 if you need assistance with any of these resources.
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Opening of Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund
The application portal for the Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund is now open for homeowners who live in Hidalgo County or whose mortgage is serviced by HomeLoanServ.
This financial assistance designed to support those who have fallen behind on their mortgage and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) this program is operating in its pilot phase for Hidalgo County residents.
Learn more and apply here.
Get Vaccinated To Protect Against the Delta and Omicron Variants
South Texas has led the country in vaccinations, but we’re not out of the woods yet. With the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants, we must be vigilant and do our part to protect ourselves, our families and community.
Find locations to get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster here.
Investing In America’s Communities Program
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing the, $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund six collective programs:
Please Be Advised: Extreme Passport Delays. Apply Early!
Due to the ongoing pandemic, passport processing centers are experiencing delays in the renewal process. The U.S. 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 currently routine service can take up to 11 weeks and expedited service can take up to 7 weeks. Don’t wait to renew, apply early!
More information can be found here.
Home Refinancing Options for Low-Income Families
On Sunday, June 6, Fannie Mae made RefiNow available to single-family lenders in connection with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) refinance option for low-income borrowers with Enterprise-backed single-family mortgages.
Among the features offered with the RefiNow option, it:
- 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%.
To learn more click here.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Affordable Connectivity Program as a permanent installation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program established to provide a temporary discount on monthly broadband (high-speed internet) bills for qualifying low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those fully enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit by December 31, 2021, will continue to receive their monthly benefit until March 1, 2022.
To re-enroll in this program, find if your eligible, or to apply click here.
Small Business Administration Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Applications
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting requests to reevaluate declined Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (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 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.
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
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