Press release from the Office of U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales 23rd Congressional District

05-19-25

STOP Screwworms Act

This week, I introduced the bipartisan STOP Screwworms Act with Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to combat the growing threat of the New World screwworm—a flesh-eating parasite spreading north through Mexico that poses a major threat to our livestock industry. The STOP Screwworms Act directs the USDA to build a sterile fly production facility in the United States so we can take matters into our own hands and stop this pest before it reaches our herds. Ag producers are sounding the alarm—and we’re listening. This is about protecting American livestock and our food supply. For more information on the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act, click here. Fighting for West Texas Oil Communities This week, during a House Appropriations Committee hearing, I questioned U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on a critical issue impacting West Texans: road safety in our oil and gas producing counties. West Texas is an energy-producing powerhouse that sees a lot of traffic, but our road infrastructure is worn down and dangerous. I’ve seen it firsthand, and it’s a real safety risk for families, workers, and truckers Click here to watch Rep. Gonzales’ questioning of DOT Secretary Duffy. I told Secretary Duffy the story of a local mother who said her 15-year-old son is terrified to learn to drive. That shouldn’t be the case in any community, especially one that powers our economy. I’m continuing to push for funding to move the Pecos East Relief Route forward—this project will reduce congestion, protect lives, and support the continued growth of the oil and gas industry in West Texas. Rural communities deserve the same level of investment and safety as anywhere else in the country. I look forward to working with Secretary Duffy on this priority. Prioritizing School Safety During a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, I raised the importance of leveraging every federal resource—including the U.S. Secret Service—to prevent future tragedies. Click here to watch Rep. Gonzales’ questioning of DHS Secretary Noem. While best known for protecting national leaders, the Secret Service has a critical but often overlooked role in school threat assessment and prevention. I asked Secretary Noem about expanding that role, and she agreed that more resources are needed to fully equip them for this mission. We owe it to our children to act before another tragedy strikes. That means investing in prevention, supporting families, hardening schools, and making better use of the tools already at our disposal. My team and I are always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact my office at any time. Washington, D.C. 2239 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4511 San Antonio 3522 Paesanos Pkwy Suite 301 San Antonio, TX 78231 210-806-9920 Fort Stockton 103 West Callaghan Street Fort Stockton, TX 79735 432-299-6200 San Elizario 1501 Main Street San Elizario, TX 79849 915-990-1500 Uvalde 2401 Garner Field Road, Building Q Uvalde, TX 78801 830-333-7410 Visit our Website

 Press release submitted by Communications Director Peter Clark of Texan Care for Children

 Top image credit: Texans Care for Children

05-19-25

  Austin – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is planning to vote on its controversial “mega-bill,” which includes approximately $625 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. A close vote is expected. Uvalde’s Rep. Tony Gonzales is likely to be one of the deciding votes.

  “We are deeply concerned that Congress is rushing to pass Medicaid cuts that will terminate health care for millions of Americans and SNAP cuts will result in more children going hungry,” said Adriana Kohler, Policy Director for Texans Care for Children. “We urge all Texas lawmakers to vote against cutting Medicaid and cutting SNAP.”

  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 7.6 million more Americans would be uninsured as a result of the proposed Medicaid cuts.

  In Texas, Medicaid primarily provides health insurance to children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors in nursing homes. Undocumented immigrants are prohibited from enrolling in Medicaid.

  While most Republican lawmakers are expected to vote for the bill, Reps. Gonzales is one of two Texas GOP legislators who publicly raised concerns about Medicaid cuts earlier this year.

  In Rep. Gonzales’ district, there are approximately 82,000 children enrolled in Medicaid.

Press release from U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales

04-24-25

Hi Friends, I wanted to update you on my continuing efforts to fight for legislation to make our borders more secure and keep Texans safe. This week, I was proud to introduce the BE GONE Act, which will strengthen our ability to DEPORT illegal aliens with criminal records. The BE GONE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify sexual assault and sexual violence as aggravated felonies, thus giving our law enforcement more tools to prosecute and quickly deport sex offenders who are in our country illegally.

In September, I obtained data from ICE showing 15,811 illegal immigrants on their “non-detained docket” have sexual assault convictions, out of 425,431 convicted criminals on the list overall. This is absolutely unacceptable. The BE GONE Act is another important step forward in our efforts to codify President Trump’s strong border security policies into law. You can read more about the BE GONE Act here. he previous Administration’s four years of chaos and neglect are finally over, and I’m incredibly energized and excited to work with a president who is truly fighting for America. It’s a new day in America, and I look forward to staying in touch as we work to make our country safer and more prosperous. If you haven’t already, subscribe to my newsletter to get weekly updates on the campaign and my work in Washington! God Bless, Tony Gonzales

Press release from Tony Gonzales

02-14-25

This week, I voted in favor of H.R. 35, which increases federal penalties on anyone who evades law enforcement and engages in a vehicle pursuit.

For too long, high-speed car chases, particularly with human smugglers, have endangered our communities and our law enforcement officers. I’m committed to protecting our citizens and holding these criminals accountable.

Also this week, I voted on legislation (HR 736) that reduces red tape for small businesses by reducing excessive government paperwork. 

Government needs to let small businesses do what they do best: focus on their bottom lines, not on bureaucracy. I will always promote and support policies that protect small business owners!

Lastly, I was proud to vote on legislation (HR 224) that helps our veterans maintain access to proper housing by ensuring that disabled vets aren’t penalized by housing programs for receiving disability compensation.

We owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude. I will always champion our veterans and fight to reduce any and all bureaucratic red tape so they can get the support they deserve.

Over the next two years, we have many priorities to accomplish. I look forward to staying in touch as we work to make our country safer and more prosperous!

God Bless,

Tony Gonzales

By Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Javier Cazares (Uvalde) asks Val Verde Sheriff’s candidates about their respective positions concerning Senate Bill 4 which, according to Cazares would allow local law enforcement to check immigration status of persons who are detained.  Photo is a screenshot from the KWMC 1400 Livestream

10-21-24

A delegation of Uvalde citizens and Robb victim’s family members attended the Border Organization’s Accountability Session held Thursday night October 17th at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gymnasium in Del Rio which was also attended by candidates running for various offices in the Region.

A livestream video and recording of the meeting was made available by KWMC 1490. 

Border Organization leader Sandra Fuentes delivered opening remarks on the history and challenges The Border Organization is addressing including the lack of mental health care, lack of school funding, lack of drinking water for some communities.

“So the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to say to the candidates: These are our issues, our challenges, our stories. Listen to us. and If you see fit, commit to our agenda,” Fuentes said.

The following candidates attended the session:

Joe Frank Martinez and Roger Hernandez running for Val Verde County Sheriff

Val Verde County Precinct 1: Kerr Wardlaw and Alfino Flores

Texas State Representative District 74: Eddie Morales.

Texas State Representative candidate Robert Garza was invited to attend but did not attend. 

U.S. District 23 House of Representatives: Santos Limon. 

Republican candidate for U.S. Representative District 23 Tony Gonzales was invited to the Session but was absent for the event despite attending the Groundbreaking of the MHDD Behavioral Health Center in Uvalde earlier in the day.

 

by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

10-19-24

Thursday, October 17th, 2024: Uvalde area elected officials as well as U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales assembled at the Uvalde County Fairplex Events Center to present information on a new Behavioral Health Center which will serve a 17-county area in rural SW Texas. The City of Uvalde agreed to do

donate land to MHDD to construct the treatment center which will serve children and adults. Following talks and a slide show depicting the facility, a groundbreaking ceremony was held near the site.

Once completed, the facility will create approximately 100 jobs.

Americans Deserve Transparency: The Biden-Harris Border Crisis

In March, I requested data from the Biden-Harris administration on how many illegal immigrants with a criminal history have been released in our communities. I received an answer this week: Over 662,000. The data released by ICE is beyond disturbing, and it should be a wake-up call for the Biden-Harris administration and cities across the country that hide behind sanctuary policies.

I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure ICE has the resources necessary to conduct deportations of those who are not authorized to be here, especially those that pose a danger to our public safety. This must be a priority.

Legislation on the Move

This week, my PEARL Act passed in the Committee on Homeland Security. The PEARL Act would establish a pilot program that connects local animal shelters with Customs and Border Protection personnel to provide Border Patrol Agents and Customs Officers with support dogs to assist in their demanding roles.

With the unprecedented crisis at the southern border, it’s critical that CBP has access to resources that support staff members and their overall wellbeing.   I will always work to support the hardworking men and women who defend our borders.

Delivering for Veterans

Ensuring veterans’ benefits are protected is one of my top priorities. When news broke this month of a $3 billion budget shortfall at the VA that could jeopardize veterans’ compensation and benefits, I worked alongside my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to help introduce the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024.

This legislation, signed into law last Friday, secures $2.89 billion in emergency funding, guaranteeing that veterans’ benefits remain fully funded without interruption. I will always stand by our veterans and fight to protect the benefits they earned.

District to D.C. It’s always great to meet with Texans in Washington, D.C. If you’re ever in town, I encourage you to stop by our office. This week, I met with the San Antonio Chapter of Associated General Contractors. This organization plays a vital role in building our communities, and I’m eager to collaborate with them to support infrastructure developments in Bexar County.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Hudspeth County Judge Jojo MacKenzie. I’m committed to continuing to work alongside Judge MacKenzie to ensure West Texas receives the support it deserves in Congress.

Press Release from U.S. Congressman District 23 Tony Gonzales

August 18th, 2024

In Congress, I’ve worked hard to secure millions of dollars in funding to enhance school security, improve mental health services, and provide resources to teachers, school faculty, and first responders so they are prepared in the event of an emergency. I’m also working on legislation that pairs new resources with better guidance on school safety. My bill, the National Strategy for School Security Act, will develop a strategic operating plan with best practices for school safety measures. This important change will provide educational institutions with a national model that they can scale and implement. Founding the School Security Caucus As the proud founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus, I am working hard to ensure that school security remains a priority in Washington. Our task force gives Members of Congress the opportunity to come together and foster policy discussions pertaining to school safety. Through the Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus, I have helped introduce several school safety bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and held roundtable discussions with educators, law enforcement, and school safety experts on Capitol Hill. Advancing School Safety Legislation I support a well-rounded approach to school security that invests in mental health initiatives and equips school faculty with the resources necessary to prevent school violence from taking place. I’m working to advance several bills in Congress that will support this mission. UNITED Act – recommits mental health resources to underserved communities across the nation EAGLES Act – establishes a national program focused on targeted school violence prevention ALYSSA Act – requires silent panic alarms in all schools to immediately alert law enforcement of an active shooter incident Strengthening Our Schools Act – increases investments in School Resource Officers to help protect students and faculty from potential active shooter situations ATTAIN on Mental Health Act – creates a user-friendly, online dashboard to expand access to funding for mental health and substance use disorder grants