NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your loved ones are doing well. As your U.S. Representative for the 15th Congressional District of Texas, I wanted to update you on what I've been working on to make our community an even better place.
Sent Letter to Governor Abbott on Increased Border Inspections and Urged President Biden to Take Action
On Tuesday, April 12, I sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott demanding he stop unnecessary state inspections on commercial vehicles at our southern border on top of federal inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. I also joined 6 of my Texas Delegation colleagues in urging President Joseph R. Biden Jr, to take action to end these inspections.
Governor Abbott’s crusade on our southern border exacerbated our supply chain crisis, hurt American workers, and interrupted commerce along one of the busiest trade routes along the Southern Border, resulting in over $1 billion in losses. I am glad to see this decision reversed, but the damage incurred will be felt for months to come. We cannot place politics over the livelihoods of Texans.
Read my letter to Governor Abbott here and our Texas Delegation letter to President Biden here.
Cosponsored the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act of 2022
Despite being the largest minority group, Hispanics fall behind in the attainment of advanced degrees. To help support our Latino students and give them the building blocks to pursue a post-secondary education, I am a leading cosponsor of H.R. 7454, the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act of 2022.
When we support our students and give them the tools for success, we are supporting our community, our economy, and the growth of our region. I’m proud to join my House colleagues to introduce this bill and address inequities in our education system.
Announced $535,135 for the McAllen VA Clinic Improvements
On Tuesday, April 12, I announced a U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs grant of $535,135 to support updates to the McAllen VA Clinic. Our veterans have often sacrificed their health to keep us safe. We owe them our support and must ensure our VA clinics are up to date and equipped to provide the best quality of care.
Reminders & Updates
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant Applications Now Open!
The 2022 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) and Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program are now open and accepting applications. Up to $15 million is available for CAMP and $35 million is available for AHTF. Applications for both grants are due June 1, 2022, at 7:59 PM EST.
You can find more information for the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) here and more information about the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program here.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering disaster assistance in response to the recent wildfires, tornadoes, droughts, and severe weather impacting Texas.
Help is available for farmers and livestock producers who were affected by these natural disasters. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.
Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov.
Reopening of U.S. Capitol and White House Tours
Great news! On Monday, March 28, 2022, the U.S. Capitol reopened for tours in a limited capacity, and on Friday, April 15, 2022, the White House began conducting tours.
Please be advised that White House tours fill up quickly, and these requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance. My office recommends sending these requests as early as possible. The White House is the only entity with the authority to grant or deny White House tours, the office of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez is only the venue for submitting the request.
U.S. Capitol tours have reopened at a limited capacity and arrangements must be made through my office for the time being.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Washington, D.C.! Please fill out the tour request form on my website here.
Social Security Office Expanding In-Person Appointments
In early April the U.S. Social Security Administration will add in-person appointments and in-person services for those without an appointment.
The Social Security Administration is recommending virtual appointments, if possible, in order to allow timely service for those who do not have that option.
Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn:
- The best ways to get help from Social Security.
- What you should know before you visit a Social Security office, so they can help you safely.
- Innovative options that could help you have your hearing sooner if you are appealing a decision.
Social Security Administration National 800 Network Number Additional Submission Time
Recently, technical issues surrounding the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) National 800 Network Number (N8NN) and Field Office general inquiry phone lines may have caused difficulties for some attempting to contact SSA.
On April 1, 2022, beneficiaries who allege difficulties in submitting timely 2022 GEP, IEP, or EP enrollment request via phone or fax will be allowed additional consideration of equitable relief until December 30, 2022.
For more information, click 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.
Need Help with your mortgage? The Texas Homeowners Assistance Fund is Here to Help
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 program is 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 COVID-19
South Texas has led the country in vaccinations, but we’re not out of the woods yet. With the spread of new 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, three of which are still open:
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.
Still Available: Home Refinancing Options for Low-Income Families
On Sunday, June 6, 2021, 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.
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
Sincerely,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
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