Dear john,
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have always sought to bring sensible, bipartisan solutions to South Texas, regardless of which party is in power.
I look forward to working with all my colleagues in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, on legislation to secure our southern border, expand our children’s education, create good-paying jobs, make healthcare more affordable, lower costs for our families, and revamp our economy.
I’m committed first and foremost to my constituents, and I will always fight for South Texas.
As always, if you need help with a federal agency, please contact one of my offices:
- Washington D.C.:(202) 225 1640
- Laredo: (956) 725-0639
- San Antonio: (210) 271 2851
- Rio Grande City: (956) 424-3942
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I attended former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson’s official portrait unveiling. I had the pleasure of working with Secretary Johnson between 2013 and 2017. We worked together to secure our southern border and bring relief to our border communities. Thank you, Secretary Johnson, for your service. I value our friendship, and it was an honor to join you for this momentous occasion. |
I joined my friend, Nelson Balido, to kick off Homeland Security Week 2023. As a resident of the border, I know firsthand that homeland security is important to our region. The men and women in green and blue are crucial to keeping our communities safe. Thank you, Nelson, for hosting me. I will continue to advocate for our ensured domestic security. |
I announced $7,200,000 for Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD) to implement the SCAN-LISD Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Project in Laredo. Through the project, SCAN will provide school-based services to improve mental health and combat substance use among students in Laredo ISD. The program will benefit an estimated 15,600 students and employees. I want to thank SCAN CEO, Isela Dabdoub, SCAN Vice President, Chris Craddock, LISD Superintendent, Sylvia Rios, and LISD Board President, Monica Garcia, for their leadership in addressing this important issue within our community. |
I want to thank the Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association, their President, Robert Morris, Laredo College, and my friend, Arturo Dominguez, for inviting me to speak at the 2023 Southern Border Conference. The Laredo Port of Entry is the busiest inland land port along the U.S.-Mexico border and is critical for the U.S. economy with more than 5 million commercial truck crossings per year. I worked with Democrats and Republicans on the passage of the USMCA, which empowered us to build off the successes of NAFTA, while putting American interests first. Last year, I secured the designation of I-27 Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future interstate. This will make Laredo the only port of entry with three corridors: I-35, I-69, and I-27. In addition, we invested billions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for border infrastructure. I will continue to work with all local, state, and federal interest holders so that, together, we implement sensible solutions that will keep Laredo as the number one inland port along the border! |
I had the honor of speaking at the Laredo Fire Department’s Cadets swearing in ceremony. I want to recognize and thank all our first responders who risk their lives for the well-being of our community. I truly commend you for the work you do. Since coming into office, I have helped secure $8.7 million for the Laredo Fire Department to hire 69 new firefighters. I have also helped secure over $420,000 for the Laredo Fire Department to purchase safety and firefighting equipment. Last year, I cosponsored the Fire Grants and Safety Act to reauthorize and increase federal resources for local fire departments across the nation. I was also a cosponsor of and voted for the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act to strengthen sick benefits for federal firefighters last year. As a Laredo native and a member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I am pleased to see that federal decision-makers recognize the quality and importance of our local responders, and I will continue to advocate on their behalf. Congratulations again, to all the new firefighters and paramedics. I also want to thank Mayor of Laredo, Dr. Victor Treviño, and Laredo Fire Chief, Guillermo Heard, for their leadership, and Laredo College and their President, Minita Ramírez, for hosting the ceremony. |
My daughter, Christina, and I visited the 27th Annual Laredo Crime Stoppers Menudo Bowl. As always, the hospitality was amazing and the food was even better. Good luck to everyone participating! Thank you Laredo Crime Stoppers, Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Laredo Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, and all of our local law enforcement for helping make Laredo the safest city on the border. |
I had the opportunity to listen to Joe Piersante’s “Overcoming Adversity” talk at the U.S. Border Patrol Union Hall in Laredo. Chief Carl Landrum invited Joe, a former DEA agent and veteran, to Laredo to share his experience with the men and women of the USBP Laredo Sector. Through Joe’s experience, we are inspired to overcome the day-to-day obstacles in our personal and professional lives. Thank you, Joe, for your motivational words, and thank you, Chief Landrum, for inviting me. |
I attended the Youth of the Month ceremony hosted by Laredo Sector Border Patrol at Nixon High School. I presented this month’s honorees with Congressional Certificates of Recognition. The Youth of the Month recognizes high school seniors in Webb County who have displayed academic excellence and leadership in the classroom. Congratulations on your achievements! I hope this award inspires you all to pursue your dreams beyond high school. |
I met with the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS). We discussed issues important to the 345,000 Texans, including 78,000 retirees, that are served by TCDRS. Thank you to Deputy Executive Director Tom Harrison for your visit. I look forward to continuing to work with you. |
My Jim Hogg County Outreach, Robert Bazan, visited Jim Hogg County Public Library to donate over 40 books from the Library of Congress. The books are a surplus from the Library of Congress and cover an array of topics, including fiction, non-fiction, adult’s and children’s novels, and general reading material. A big thank you to all the staff at Jim Hogg County Public Library! |
Zayd Jendoubi is currently an intern in my Washington D.C. office. He is in his 4th year at Texas Tech University where he majors in communications and minors in political science and legal studies. He enjoys traveling, playing basketball, and listening to music. He also plans to pursue a career on The Hill. Thank you for your hard work Zayd. |
Alexis Gallegos currently works in my Rio Grande City office as my Constituent Services Representative and Outreach Coordinator. From an early age, she became passionate about public service and giving back to the community. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and setting the expample for her children. Thank you Alexis for your service. |
My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to Alberto Gonzalez from Laredo for his local contributions to the game of baseball. Mr. Gonzalez has utilized his passion for sports to help shape the lives of young athletes. Thank you for your commitment to foment sports in our community. |
My San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Toro Martinez, visited Kindling Texas Kitchen in support of Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week is being held to assist restaurants by Culinaria, a not- for-profit organization focused on promoting San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination. Thank you, Culinaria, for utilizing your expertise to help spur economic development in the San Antonio Metroplex. |
My San Antonio office attended the 2023 Spurs STEM Fest at the AT&T Center. This wonderful event invites students in grades K-12 to join in on science, technology, engineering and math-related activities featuring over 30 different local vendors. Thank you, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, for hosting another successful STEM Fest. |
In honor of School Board Appreciation Month, my office presented Congressional Certificates of Recognition to the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District school board. A big thank you to the entire board for their commitment to our children’s education and for being an integral part of our education system in Starr County. |
My Laredo office attended the La Estrella Del Deporte Award Ceremony hosted by Webb County Commissioner for Precinct 1, Jesse Gonzalez. These young men and women have displayed excellence in both, academics and sports, throughout the month of January. Thank you Commissioner for inspiring our students to reach their full potential on the field and in the claasroom. Congratulations to all of you! |
My office attended the City of Schertz’s swearing in ceremony. Mayor Ralph Gutierrez and Councilmember Place 2, Michelle Watson, were sworn into office. Congratulations to you both! |
My office attended the swearing in ceremony of the new Mayor of Cibolo, Mark Allen. Congratulations mayor. I look forward to establishing a strong partnership with you! |
My San Antonio office attended a fundraiser for Jourdanton Police Officer, Alexis Hernandez, who was injured in a motor vehicle accident last month. The funds will help cover medical expenses and bills Alexis may incur during her recovery. I’m glad to see the community coming together to support a member of our law enforcement. I wish you a speedy recovery! |
My office attended the Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show at the Guadalupe County. Students representing schools throughout county had the opportunity to showcase swine on Thursday. Congratulations to all participants! |
My San Antonio office attended the Southside Resource Fair and Expo. At the event, people were given access to essential resources free of charge. If you require any additional assistance please feel free to contact my office. |
My office attended the 69th Annual Atascosa County Livestock Show and Auction. Congratulations to everyone that took part in this years festivities. |
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