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 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.     

Presented Funding to the City of Mercedes from the American Rescue Plan 

On Monday, January 25, I presented the City of Mercedes with a total of $4,114,237 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This funding will help Mercedes get residents back on their feet, keep local businesses open and expand the city’s capacity to deliver essential services. 

The first half of the funding has been dispersed, and the second half will reach the city at a later date.  

It was an honor to visit the Queen City and receive this recognition. I promise to continue fighting for South Texas.  

Congratulating Achieve Early College High School on Their Blue-Ribbon Achievement 

On Friday, January 28, I celebrated Achieve Early College High School’s 2nd Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education. Achieve Early High School is one of only 26 schools in the entire state to earn this distinction. 

I’m proud to know South Texas schools continue to go above and beyond to create an outstanding curriculum that focuses on closing learning gaps. When we strengthen the foundation and tools for success, our children will be able to flourish inside and outside of the classroom. 

Congratulating Our 2021 Service Academy Nominees 

On Saturday, January 30, I met with the 16 Service Academy nominees for the 15th District of Texas to congratulate them on this outstanding achievement. To apply to a majority of the five U.S. Service Academies, applicants must secure a nomination from their Member of Congress, U.S. Senator, U.S. Vice President, or U.S. President. After that process is complete and those nominations are confirmed, the academy will then determine admission.  

If you are interested in learning more about the Service Academy nomination process, please visit my website.  

• Sayge Berger, nominated U.S. Air Force Academy 
• Ethan Buck, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
• Freddy Ceciliano, nominated U.S. Air Force Academy
• Hiram Flores, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
• Adrian Garcia, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
• Jofred Gonzalez, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
• Alyssa Gutierrez, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
• Genesis Hernandez, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
• Joshua Kelly, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Chance Krudwig, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Adam Nieto, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
• Joseph Orendain, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Zachary Porter, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
• Seth Rodriguez, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Denisse Serna, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Jessica Sherman, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy 

Voted for the Bipartisan Supplemental Aid Impact and Flexibility Act 

On Tuesday, January 18, I joined my House colleagues to pass S. 2959, the Supplemental Aid Impact and Flexibility Act, to protect Local Education Agency’s (LEA’s) participating in the Impact Aid Program from losing funding and offer them the flexibility to use pre-pandemic data to calculate funding for Fiscal Year 2023. 

An outstanding and affordable education is a top priority. I was proud to vote for this bill and ensure our schools have access to the resources they need to offer every student a quality education. 

Voted for the EVEST Act 

On Thursday, January 20, I voted to pass H.R. 4673, the EVEST Act, to automatically enroll eligible veterans into the Veterans Affairs health care system. Currently, all veterans seeking health care due to a service-related injury or disability or serving after a certain number of years, must apply for coverage. 

After protecting our country, our men and women in uniform deserve peace of mind about their health care after service. I was proud to vote for this bill. 

Sent Bipartisan Letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra Urging Medicare to Expand COVID-19 Testing  

On Thursday, January 20, my colleagues and I urged Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera to cover the cost of COVID-19 tests for Medicare beneficiaries. 

 
On January 15, the Biden Administration required insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter costs and reimburse those who have had to pay out-of-pocket. Unfortunately, many Medicare beneficiaries must jump through hoops to receive a test. Our letter urges HHS to remove the barriers to COVID-19 testing options for those enrolled in Medicare. 

Read the letter here. 

Sent Bipartisan Letter to the Biden Administration Urging Prompt Solutions to the Supply Chain Issues Impacting the Agricultural Industry 

On Monday, January 24, I sent a letter with my House colleagues urging President Biden to utilize emergency tools and authorities to incentivize the outbound shipments and support agricultural exporters. 

Our agriculture industry is essential to the well-being and our economy. We must ensure producers are able to export their goods in a timely manner for near- and long-term supply chain resiliency. 

Read the letter here. 

Honoring the work of Walnut Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center 

On Tuesday, January 26, TX-15's Northern District Director, Albert Martinez, met with the 25 veterans living at Walnut Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Seguin, Texas, and honored the facility for its high standard of care. Thank you to Mayor Pro-temp Joe Rea for joining us. I am grateful for every frontline worker that has worked around the clock to ensure our family members and friends are safe and well taken care of. 
 
   
Reminders & Updates    
 
Tax Filing season is here 

The 2021 tax filing season began on Monday, January 24, 2022, and ends on Monday, April 18, 2022. Here is a 5-point checklist from the IRS for a speedy process and refund delivery:  

1. File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays  
2. For an accurate return, collect all documents before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate  
3. Avoid lengthy phone delays; use online resources before calling the IRS  
4. Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processes? Special tip to help with e-filing a 2021 tax return  
5. Free resources are available to help taxpayers file.  

All of these free resources and more can be found on the IRS website. For more information on where to find a VITA program provider near you, please visit the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) website. 

Disaster Loan 

The deadline to apply for the 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) is Monday, January 31, 2022. The LFP aims to help offset economic hardships that have arisen from widespread drought conditions by providing payments to eligible livestock producers and contract growers who produce forage crops for grazing. 

Qualifying LFP areas are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor. To expedite the application process, producers are encouraged to gather and submit records documenting 2021 losses. Supporting documents may include information related to grazing leases, contract grower agreements, and more. 

Click here to find the application and determine if you are eligible. 

Fiscal Year 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety Program Application Period Opening    
 
The FY 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program began accepting applications on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, and will remain open through Friday, February 18, 2022.     
 
This program makes available $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, 2021, 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.      
   
 
            
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: 

• Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Finalist Announced)  
• Good Jobs Challenge (Closes February 10th)
• Indigenous Communities     
• Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation       
• Statewide Planning, Research and Networks    

• 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.