Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $150 million in grants available to rural communities across the United States affected by natural disaster including those in Hidalgo County. The grants may be used for relief in areas affected by natural disaster such as hurricanes, tornados, and the recent devastating floods in the Rio Grande Valley.

"Time and time again, President Trump ignores facts for his fantasy of building an ineffective, futile wall along our southern border. He is literally taking resources from our military, and disaster relief in order to construct this wasteful project. These acts are reckless and endanger the lives of our nation's servicemembers and potential victims of natural disasters," said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez.

MCALLEN – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced more than $10 million in federal disaster loans for SouthTexas businesses and residents impacted by severe storms and flooding that occurred between June 24-25, 2019, and were approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline to register for federal assistance is Monday, September 16.

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent letters to Mexican Ambassador to the United States Martha Bárcena and Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Alfonso Durazo urging Mexico to create a timeline for the implementation of the Safe Highway program and asked for an assurance that Highway 40, which is part of the Safe Highway program, and a connection to U.S. – Mexico international bridges, is secured before a vote for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is considered in Congress.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that Duval and Jim Hogg Counties were designated as natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered consecutive weeks of intense drought qualifying them for disaster assistance.

In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture named Brooks, Live Oak, Jim Wells, La Salle, McMullen, Maverick and Starr Counties in Texas as contiguous disaster areas.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following Texas Governor Greg Abbott's issuance of a disaster declaration in response to drought conditions in South Texas:

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) expressed relief that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Mexican Tomato Growers reached a deal to lift tariffs on imported tomatoes from Mexico:

"For months now, I have urged Secretary Ross to reconsider exiting the Tomato Suspension Agreement. The last thing we need is a tariff that will affect Americans' pocketbooks and interrupt business supply chains. Citizens of both countries use fresh tomatoes for a plethora of things from pizza sauce to salsa and ketchup and everything in between," said Congressman Gonzalez.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) encouraged Central and South Texan organizations to apply for natural disaster aid funding following the announcement of $587 million being made available by the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA). Eligible grantees must be in communities impacted by Presidentially declared natural disasters in 2018, and floods and tornadoes in 2019.