Agriculture
Congressman Gonzalez is proud to represent a thriving agricultural community. The 34th District of Texas is home to the King Ranch and a diverse array of produce, specialty crops, and livestock operations. The district is known for its citrus, cotton, sugarcane, sorghum, and cattle ranching operations.
Congressman Gonzalez has a proven record of supporting agricultural research, trade assistance, and robust crop insurance and disaster assistance programs that offer farmers and ranchers the resources to succeed.
He understands the importance of protecting and improving farmers and ranchers' safety net systems and is dedicated to elevating the concerns and priorities of South Texas agriculture producers in Washington, D.C. Congressman Gonzalez supports increasing market access for all American agricultural products and efforts to strengthen our food supply chain and economy while providing regulatory certainty to agriculture producers.
Since being elected to Congress in 2016, Congressman Gonzalez has shepherded over $156 million in funding for our South Texas agricultural industry.
More on Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, November 19, 2021, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) co-introduced targeted, bipartisan legislation to reimburse farmers and ranchers for damages and vandalism occurring on their property due to increased irregular migration. The proposal repurposes unobligated monies from the American Rescue Plan to reimburse America's agricultural producers for damages stemming from mass migration, including: livestock loss, crop loss and damage, damage to perimeter fences, damage to physical structures, and property loss/damage.
MERCEDES, Texas – On Thursday, May 6, members of the Texas Farm Bureau presented Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) with a "Friend of Farm Bureau" award for his support for farmers and ranchers during the 116th Congress. Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gonzalez has advocated for agriculture producers in Central and South Texas.
In accordance with House Rules, and to promote oversight, transparency and accountability, this web page contains the disclosure materials relating to projects I have submitted on behalf of a local sponsor to either the House Committee on Appropriations or any other House Committees requiring disclosures.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack approved a Secretarial disaster area designation for drought for the following counties in the 15th District of Texas: Karnes, Live Oak primary; and contiguous, Brooks, Duval, Wilson. With this designation, those affected by recent drought are qualified to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) assistance, including loans.
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, March 18, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted to pass H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act which will provide stability, predictability and fairness to the workers who feed and clothe America. This bipartisan bill provides reforms that will overhaul the farmworker visa program, improve agricultural labor standards, and help American farmers compete in global markets.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack approved a secretarial disaster area designation on March 1, 2021 for the following counties in the 15th District of Texas: Hidalgo and Duval, primary; and contiguous, Brooks, Jim Hogg, and Live Oak. With this designation, those affected by the recent winter weather are qualified to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) assistance, including loans.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) sent a bipartisan letter to the newly confirmed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tom Vilsack urgently requesting the approval of a secretarial disaster designation in counties affected by the winter weather disaster in Texas. Texas farmers and ranchers face unprecedented damage and loss as a result of the winter storm.
In addition to the secretarial disaster designation, the Members of Congress asked for the appraisal and resumption of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced new measures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to help rural residents, businesses and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I urge those who need help from the USDA to take full advantage of these tools," said Congressman Gonzalez. "Those who need help with applying or navigating these new measures should contact my office for help."
MCALLEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) praised farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, packers, shippers, and all those across our food supply chain for their efforts to keep our nation fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This group of people are considered essential in the country's workforce. If they want to work and are healthy to do so, then they can work and are allowed to travel to work during this difficulty time for our country with some areas of the United States calling for a shelter-in-place order: