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 Duval County with Funding from the American Rescue Plan 
On Friday, February 10, I presented Duval County with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The County will receive $2.1 million, the cities within Duval County will receive over $2 million combined, and school districts will also receive $8.8 million combined!  

This money will equip our local governments and schools to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and build back better. 

We are grateful for Judge E.B. Garcia and all community leaders that are working hard to protect our community. Your leadership and commitment to creating a better place to live, learn, and work has not gone unnoticed. I’m proud to be your representative in Congress and I promise to keep fighting for our community. 

Presented Jim Hogg with funding from the American Rescue Plan 
On Friday, February 10, I presented Jim Hogg County with over $1 million and Jim Hogg Independent School District with over $4.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. 

This $5 million investment will help keep businesses open, ensure essential services remain available, and keep our kids in the classroom. I’m proud to have voted for this bill and to bring money to our local communities. 

I also want to extend a big thank you to Judge Guerra, Dr. Garza, and Dr. Rodriguez for their outstanding work and leadership. 

Voted to Pass the America COMPETES Act 
On Friday, February 4, I voted to pass H.R. 4521, America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength Act “COMPETES” Act of 2022. 

This comprehensive legislation will strengthen our supply chain, bolster American research and innovation, and empower the United States to remain competitive on the world stage. This bill also invests $52 billion in semiconductors to address the chip shortage and advance the creation of additional semiconductors here at home. We will strengthen American manufacturing and supply chains with $45 billion to produce critical goods and reduce our reliance on China and other countries for products like rare earth minerals.  

I was proud to vote for this legislation that will restore American competitiveness at home and abroad.  

Read my press release here. 

Voted to End Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Harassment Cases 
On Monday, February 7, I voted for H.R. 4445, Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This bipartisan bill aims to invalidate arbitration agreements that block an individual from filing a lawsuit involving sexual harassment or assault.  

I am proud to have voted for this bill to ensure survivors have their day in court and abusers, and those who protect them, are held accountable. This important legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. 

Voted in Favor of the Bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act 
On Tuesday, February 8, I voted for H.R. 3076, Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, to strengthen and improve the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS - and its workforce - are essential. They deliver life-saving medication, connect businesses and individuals across our nation, and provide important information, like W-2 tax forms, to all. 

This bipartisan legislation would enroll all postal retirees in Medicare, repeal a prefund requirement for retirees’ health care 75 years in advance, bring transparency and reliability to delivery times through a public facing online dashboard with performance data, codify mail delivery 6 days a week, and allow the USPS to raise additional revenue by offering non-commercial property and services to state, local and tribal governments. This overdue legislation would save the Postal Service $27 billion over 10 years. 

Read my press release here. 

Announced a $355,110 Diabetes Research Grant for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 
On Saturday, February 5, I announced a grant of $355,110 for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

This funding will support research into diabetic related eye diseases and their causes. UTRGV continues to remain a state-of-the-art research institution, and I'm proud to know that their research and advancements will serve the needs of South Texans. 
 
Announced Two U.S. Department of Agriculture Grants for the 15th District of Texas 
On Thursday February 3, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $1.4 billion program to support job training, business expansion and technical assistance in rural areas. Of the $1.4 billion, $10 million will go to Nixon Product Storage and over $199,000 will go to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) right here in the 15th District of Texas.  

This investment will open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who have historically lacked access to critical resources and financing. It will also help entrepreneurs, business cooperatives and farmers in our region and nearly every state create jobs, grow businesses and find new and better markets for the items they produce. 
 
Reminders & Updates    
  
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) launch New Online Service for Noncitizen Service Members, Veterans, and their Families 
The Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense launched two new resources to support noncitizen service members, veterans, and their families. This program is through the Immigrant Miliary Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI) and will host an online center through the DHS to consolidate federal resources. 

The online center will include a portal for veterans who need assistance in applying to return to the United States or accessing VA benefits that they are entitled to. It will also provide previously removed veterans a simple a fast way to get in contact with the appropriate department for assistance or to answer questions. 

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.   

• 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.               
     
Apply for the 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.