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“Every year, Congress is responsible for funding our nation’s defense priorities to keep Americans safe and our military strong. I worked in a bipartisan manner to raise military pay and expand access to housing, childcare, and healthcare for our service members and their families in South Texas and around the world, including at the Naval Air Stations in Kingsville and Corpus Christi. Also included in this bill is language and amendments I authored to protect Corpus Christi Army Depot’s military competitiveness and the thousands of hardworking South Texans it employs. Together, we will ensure that the economy continues to thrive and our region remains a critical part of our national security.”
Issues:Veterans & Our Military
“It is absurd that a name proposal from outside our state was able to threaten the very essence of a cultural and historic landmark in South Texas,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “The severe lack of transparency from the Domestic Names Committee almost shut out the people of Cameron County from a decision that directly impacted our daily lives—and would have created a financial burden for local municipalities responsible for replacing signage and other publicly used identifiers. While our community was able to quickly band together to stop this initial proposal from being adopted, my bill would ensure that Boca Chica Beach always remains the People’s Beach.”
Issues:Energy & Environment
“When a veteran returns from service, our government has a responsibility to provide them with the resources and support they’ve rightfully earned,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Today, extreme Republicans in Washington tried advancing a radical bill that weaponized meaningful legislation, like the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, to provide themselves political cover as they attempted to implement the largest cut to veterans benefits in a generation. I fought back, and the bill got pulled from the floor. South Texas is home to more than 50,000 veterans, and nearly half live with service-connected disabilities. We cannot turn our backs on those who proudly served.”
Issues:Veterans & Our Military
“Brownsville’s airport is a vital gateway that fuels economic growth and connects families to communities across the border and throughout our nation,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Upgrading airfield signage is an investment in the airport’s long-term future and ensures that pilots and passengers alike can travel safely through our airport. I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue working with our local leadership to build a world-class airport that meets the needs of our region.”
Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) urged the U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names Committee to oppose a proposal to rename Boca Chica Beach to “Cyber Beach.” The federal naming committee provided less than a 24-hours-notice of a vote that would take place today, July 9, at 2 p.m. The lack of transparency is nothing more than an attempt to silence the people of Cameron County and erase our region’s history.
Issues:Energy & Environment
“Improving public safety and strengthening our local economy requires resilient infrastructure that can withstand the frequent challenges of extreme weather in South Texas,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “I proudly fought in Congress for this federal investment to help improve the City’s stormwater system and ensure our homes and businesses are protected from heavy rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding. Together, alongside the City of Mercedes and all our neighbors, we will continue to build a safer, more prosperous community.”
“A working sewage system is essential to safeguarding public health, preserving the environment, and keeping our communities safe,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Last year’s devastating storms and flash floods left the City of Combes’ lift stations in need of urgent repairs. That’s why I worked alongside local leaders to champion this community project funding in Congress. With this investment, we will strengthen our ability to maintain reliable sewage operations daily and when extreme weather events hit flood-prone areas like the Rio Grande Valley.”
“South Texas is rapidly transforming, and we must meet the housing needs of our population,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “However, our region is facing an alarming labor shortage due to rising costs and a reckless ICE agency indiscriminately targeting construction sites and delaying the ability to build enough housing for families. There is still much work to be done to ensure that the workers who build our communities are protected at job sites and that every South Texan gets a fair shot at homeownership. We are making progress and I’m proud to have voted for this comprehensive housing affordability package, which includes a bipartisan bill I co-led to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and streamline the development of affordable housing in rural areas. I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
Washington, D.C.—After sounding the alarm for nearly two years, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) took additional steps last week alongside Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and the Texas Democratic Delegation in demanding answers from United States Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins and requesting a briefing on how the USDA plans to address the resurgence of New World Screwworm in Texas and across the United States.
Issues:Agriculture
“The resurgence of this invasive pest, which the U.S. successfully eradicated in the 1960s, could devastate South Texas ranchers, wildlife, and our communities as a whole,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “With inflation already on the rise from the Administration’s policies and war in Iran, the last thing Texans need is a potential $1.8 billion hit to our cattle industry and statewide economy. Just as I warned, the arrival of the New World Screwworm has crossed the border. The Administration didn’t act fast enough. Instead, they cut funding for early detection and prevention and prioritized billions in taxpayer money to support lowering the cost of beef from Argentina—not America. While the recent opening of a new sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas is welcomed, it will not be operational until next fall. Now, USDA is playing catch-up to protect the livelihoods of our ranchers and prevent harmful effects to our food supply.”
Issues:Agriculture