NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT
Dear Friends,
I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of May. I wanted to share with you some of the work I've been doing on behalf of South Texas. As your representative in Congress, I promise to keep working to make our region a better place.
Celebrated $3.7 Million for Hidalgo County to Expand the North Main Drain
On Tuesday, May 3, I joined Hidalgo County Commissioners Ellie Torres and David Fuentes to celebrate over $3.7 million in Community Project Funding that I secured in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill. These funds will support the expansion of the North Main Drain to better meet the drainage needs of our community.
Year after year, floods devastate our community due to an aging infrastructure, population growth, development, and a changing climate. This project will increase the holding capacity and flow of water and provide critical updates to our drainage infrastructure.
 
Sent Letter to the Biden Administration Urging Creation of a new Five-Year Plan
On Wednesday, May 4, I sent a letter to the Biden Administration calling for them to ensure we continue focusing on American energy independence by publishing a new Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Plan to allow for continued offshore energy development. Failing to release a Five-Year Plan could have negative implications for our nation, our allies, the global economy, and our environment.
Read the letter here.
Celebrated South Texas Recognitions by the Small Business Administration
On Tuesday, May 3, I attended the Small Business Administration luncheon where we recognized outstanding South Texas entrepreneurs for their hard work this past year.
Operating a small business takes dedication, hard work, and a passion for your craft. Our small businesses provide employment and essential goods and services to our region. Thank you to all our business owners for your work to grow and support our community.
.png "IMG_7769_(2).png")
Voted to Improve Small Business Development Centers
On Tuesday, April 26, I voted to pass H.R. 6445, the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2022, which reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through 2025. This program provides resources and key information to empower entrepreneurs and business owners in our region and keep our economy strong.
Voted to Fund Ukraine Reconstruction
On Wednesday, April 27, I voted for H.R. 6930, the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act. This bill will support the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and establish a process for confiscating Russian oligarchs’ assets. We must do everything we can to stifle Putin's regime.
Urged Congressional Leadership to Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap
On Monday, April 25, I joined my colleagues in a letter calling on Congressional leadership to bring up legislation to close the Medicaid coverage gap in Texas and the other 11 non-expansion states.
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation. Quality, affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We cannot leave our communities behind and lacking resources to live a healthy life. South Texas already faces a crisis of insufficient healthcare resources, coupled with higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, we face costly and sparse treatment options. We need to close the Medicaid coverage gap now and make healthcare more accessible and more affordable.
Read the letter here.
Honored our Judges
Last week, my Northern District Director, Albert Martinez, presented on my behalf certificates and my utmost gratitude to Jim Hogg County Judge, Juan Carlos Guerra, District Court Judge Janna Whatley, and District Court Judge Richard Terrell for their outstanding work for our community.
 
Reminders & Updates
Homeowner Assistance and Reimbursement Programs (HARP) Application Still Open!
The Texas General Land Office is still accepting applications for reimbursement for those whose homes were damaged by flooding in 2018 and 2019. Residents of Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties are eligible to receive assistance with home repairs or full reconstruction, as well as repayment of eligible out-of-pocket repair costs up to $50,000.
Learn more here and apply here.
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/6:59 PM CT.
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! The U.S. Capitol and the White House have reopened for tours in a limited capacity.
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.
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
Fannie Mae’s RefiNow program is still 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
Member of Congress |
