Congressman Gonzalez Sends Letter to Governor Urging Public Mask Mandate and Authority for Local Emergency Managers

WASHINGTON –On Wednesday, July 1, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott requesting mandatory mask orders and the return of authority to local emergency managers to better handle COVID-19 response.

Together the Members of Congress lay out specific requests to the Governor. The Members wrote: "This is a crucial time and there is no doubt that quickly opening the State of Texas did not work. It is imperative that we work together to save the lives of our fellow Texans and act decisively on masks and stay at home orders."

Congressman Gonzalez previously led a joint statement with seven other members of Texas Congressional Delegation urging Governor Abbott to give back control to local counties and cities in regards to COVID-19 decisions. Governor Abbott has pursued a failed, aggressive economic reopening strategy that has led to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases and an influx of patients in Texas hospitals.

In addition, Congressman Gonzalez joined a letter with Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34) requesting the National Guard be deployed to South Texas to aid with COVID-19 response.

To view the full letter, click here.