NEWS FROM THE 15th DISTRICT
Dear Friends,
I hope everyone is doing well. 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.
 Everyday our federal firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us, yet they have fewer protections than our local firefighters. On Wednesday, May 11, Congress took an important step to right that wrong by passing H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022. This bill added the presumption of certain illnesses contracted in the line of duty to federal workers’ compensation.
.png "Passed_the_Federal_Firefighters_Fairness_Act_(1).png") The Community Services Block Grant program empower low-income communities and improve economic self-sufficiency and opportunity. In Fiscal Year 2022, the 15th Congressional District received an estimated $3,070,553 from this program to provide South Texans access to employment, education, income management, housing, emergency services, self-sufficiency, and health resources.
On Friday, May 13, I voted to pass H.R. 5129, the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022. This reauthorizes the program through Fiscal Year 2031 and modifies the program to change the performance measurement and allotments to states and territories.
 On Wednesday, May 18, I voted for H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, a bill that I proudly co-led. This bipartisan legislation will provide our law enforcement and communities with the resources and tools needed to combat threats from domestic violent extremists.
In the wake of the Buffalo, New York shooting and the rise in violent extremism and domestic terrorism, we must fortify and prepare our communities and law enforcement with the tools to combat evolving threats and ensure the safety of our communities.
.png "Passed_the_Federal_Firefighters_Fairness_Act_(3).png") On Wednesday, May 18 the House passed H.R. 7790, the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, which will provide $28 million to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the shortage of infant formula and prevent fraudulent products from being placed on the shelf.
My colleagues and I also introduced House Concurrent Resolution 90 urging President Biden to increase the production of baby formula using the Defense Production Act of 1950. The president heard us and has taken this important step to ensure our children do not go hungry.
 On May 11, I participated in the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth to examine how we can bring economic development to underserved communities. In our region, we know too well how hard it can be to attain economic mobility. Through investments from our community, the federal government, and the state of Texas we are focused on growing our region and providing the resources for success in the Rio Grande Valley. 
.png "SCOEDFG_(1).png") On Tuesday, May 10, I announced a grant of $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan for the City of McAllen’s Business-Industrial Park. Funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), this project will create 665 jobs, retain 185 jobs, and generate $85 million in private investments. It's important that we bring jobs and economic investments to our community, and I am proud to see this project get off the ground thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan.
Read my press release here.
 Our law enforcement officers are steadfast in their efforts to protect our community and it’s our job to give them the resources they need to keep us safe. On Tuesday, May 17, I voted for two bills to support them.
H.R. 6943, the Public Safety Officer Support Act will encompass stress and trauma related injuries and death-by-suicide in the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program. H.R. 2992, the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, will develop crisis-intervention training tools for our officers to better respond to the needs of our community.
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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.
June 1st Deadline Approaching for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant
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. Contact my office here if you need a letter of support.
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!
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. Due to the ongoing pandemic, 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
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