NEWS FROM THE
15th DISTRICT OF TEXAS
Dear Friends,
As we approach the holiday season, I hope everyone in Central and South Texas are staying warm. I want to take the time to give you all an update on my recent work in Washington, D.C., and our region on behalf of the 15th District of Texas.
As always, it is my honor and privilege to serve the 15th District of Texas. Here are a few highlights and updates from the past few weeks.
Holiday Message from Congressman Gonzalez
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season! Click on the image above for my holiday message.
Congressman Gonzalez Keeps Promise to Lower Drug Costs for 15th District of Texas
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a sweeping, revolutionary healthcare bill that will lower prescription drug prices, close coverage gaps for Medicare beneficiaries, and invest critical funding for innovative cures and treatments. This bill will save approximately $500 billion over the next ten years which will be reinvested in programs that benefit the American people. I was proud to cosponsor and vote in favor of this bill.
Read my full press release here.
Congressman Gonzalez Voted to Approve Bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019
On Wednesday, I voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019. This bipartisan bill provides reforms that will overhaul the farmworker visa program and improve agricultural labor standards. In addition to helping American farmers compete in global markets, this legislation provides them with much needed certainty. The bill passed the House by a vote of 260 to 165 and is now headed to the Senate.
Read my full press release here.
Congressman Gonzalez on Recent USMCA Deal
On December 10, House negotiators struck a deal with the United States Trade Representative and the Governments of Mexico and Canada on the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). While, the USMCA raises the bar for enforcement and provides certainty for our farmers, ranchers, and businesses, it still falls short. This agreement fails to address the single greatest threat to cross-border commerce and tourism: chronic violence and insecurity in Mexico.
In addition, I made an appearance on CNN to discuss the insecurity that was not addressed in the USMCA agreement, and I will continue to engage the U.S. and Mexican governments until this issue is resolved.
Read my full press release here.
Watch the full clip here.
Congressmen Gonzalez and Vela Asked Speaker Pelosi for Firm Commitment on Security from Mexico for USMCA
On December 5, Congressman Filemon Vela and I sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing our concern over transnational criminal organizations’ continued interference in the flow of cross border commerce and tourism. We will continue to request the Speaker’s assistance to secure a firm commitment from the Mexican government to guarantee the protection of highways between the United States and Mexico used for trade and tourism.
Read my full press release here.
Congressman Gonzalez Voted to Reduce Illegal Robocalls
On December 4, I voted in favor of S. 151, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act. The bill passed by a vote of 417 to 3 and inow awaits the President's signature. This act would require telecommunications providers to block robocalls at no-additional cost to protect consumers and small businesses. The TRACED Act will enable the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to have more enforcement over these unlawful calls and robocallers. It's time we stopped the onslaught of robocalls and phone scams once and for all.
Read my full press release here.
Congressman Gonzalez Announced Submissions for Congressional App Challenge
On December 2, I was excited to announce that a total of 10 submissions were received for the Congressional App Challenge (CAC) from the 15th District of Texas. The CAC is a district-wide competition to encourage middle school and high school students from each Congressional district to learn to code and inspire them to pursue careers in computer science and other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. I will continue advocating for increased learning opportunities for all students and resources that will lead them to success.
Read the full press release here.
Congressmen Gonzalez and Cuellar Announced $374,480 for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
(Congressman Henry Cuellar and Congressman Gonzalez presenting a check to UTRGV)
On December 2, I announced $374,480 in federal funds for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) with Congressman Henry Cuellar in a joint press conference in Mission, Texas that will provide grants for economic development and empowerment for small and minority-owned businesses in the 15th District of Texas and South Texas.
Watch the full clip here.
Congressman Gonzalez Announced $1,243,658 For UTRGV For Special Education Training Program
On November 21, I announced $1,243,658 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs for the UTRGV. This funding will go towards funding the university's Project PLEASE (Program for Leaders to Educate and Advocate for Special Education). This program will train 14 district educators from the Rio Grande Valley to administer special education and early intervention programs. These educators will also have the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Special Education.
Please read my full press release here.
As always it is an honor to represent the 15th District of Texas. If office may ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes!
Sincerely,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
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