Hi Friends,

I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to share some of the work I've been doing on behalf of South Texans. As your representative in Congress, I promise to keep working to make our region a better place.

Memorial Day Ceremony
This Memorial Day, I was honored to participate in a beautiful ceremony remembering the lives of our service members. Thank you to VFW Post 7473, the Women’s Auxiliary, the Catholic War Veterans, the Weslaco Fire Department, Hidalgo County Veterans Service Officer Felix Rodriguez, and the Highland Cemetery Staff for hosting such a moving ceremony in remembrance of some of the bravest men and women in our country.

Hosted the Congressional Art Competition Celebration
On Monday, May 23, I was happy to celebrate the incredible artistic talent of young South Texans. Each year, students can submit their artwork for consideration in the Congressional Art Competition. This year, Cindy Fraire of Edinburg North High School received first place in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition with her piece “Home of the Brave” which will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

She will also be awarded a trip to Washington, D.C. and eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I am continually blown away by the talent in South Texas; working with our esteemed judges to select a winner is never easy. I am grateful to all who entered the competition and showcased their incredible promise.

Presented $9,170,062 in American Rescue Plan Act Funding to the City of San Juan
On Tuesday, May 24, I presented the City of San Juan with $9,170,062 from the American Rescue Plan Act. This funding has helped the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping people employed, businesses open, and kids in school.

The American Rescue Plan improved our communities and allowed us to take care of our family and friends. I am honored to present this funding and to have voted for this legislation on behalf of South Texas.

Announced over $1.5 Million For Mission Regional Medical Center
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded Mission Regional Medical Center $1,596,900 in reimbursements for costs incurred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The beginning of the pandemic overextended our health care systems and hit our community hard. Thankfully, our healthcare professionals met this challenge head-on, serving and protecting South Texans. I am glad to see that the Mission Regional Medical Center is getting the reimbursements owed to them to continue offering top notch medical services.

Announced $200,000 From the Department of Energy for Solar Energy & Efficiency in Edinburg
The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded $200,00 for a Solar Utilization and Commercialization Coalition for Energy Efficiency Devices program in Edinburg, Texas. This grant is one of eighteen awarded for clean energy projects across our nation, totaling $3.6 million.
As the race for clean and efficient energy continues, we must ensure our local companies and entrepreneurs are able to utilize these products to the best of their abilities.

Reminders and Updates

Clean School Bus Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for the Clean School Bus Program through August 19.

Funded through the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program will provide $5 billion over the next five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.

Apply here.

Safer Streets and Roads for All Program Is Now Open
Established through the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program to prevent roadway deaths.

$5 billion for this program has been appropriated over the next 5 years for regional, local, and tribal communities. The program is open until 4 pm CST/5 pm EST on September 15, 2022.

Apple here.

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.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Available

Help is available for farmers and livestock producers who were affected by 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 added 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.                        
        
Key Update on Small Business Administration Funds
     
The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program allocated more than $378 billion in relief aid to over 3.9 million borrowers, including to the smallest of small businesses from historically underserved, disadvantaged communities.

Unfortunately, on May 5, 2022, funding for SBA EIDL program was depleted. However, additional SBA resources and support are still available. In addition to contacting their local SBA office, small business owners seeking assistance in navigating government resources can also work with the SBA’s network of 140+ Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 22 Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), 68 Field Offices, and 1000s of Resources Partners that offer counseling, training, mentorship, and assistance.

For more information, please visit Small Business Administration (sba.gov)

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,

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez