April 23, 2016

Saturday, April 23, 2016 WEBSITE | SHARE ON: 
Congressional Report

Dear Friends,

This past week, I announced that I successfully included a number of provisions into the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs House Appropriations bill that are designed to make life better for our country’s veterans. I also included $42 million in federal funds in this year’s Agriculture House Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017 to help U.S. citrus growers, including those in the Rio Grande Valley and included language in the Fiscal Year 2017 Energy and Water House Appropriations bill to limit methane gas emissions from flaring and venting in shale formations such as the Eagle Ford Shale in the 28th Congressional District. You can read more about those provisions below.

The EPA recently decided to drop a proposed rule change that would have prohibited the modification of street cars, or cars for regular driving purposes, for use in off-road racing events. I agree with the EPA's decision and sponsored legislation with Congressman Patrick McHenry of North Carolina last month to protect these modifications. This means that racing enthusiasts in my district and across the country can continue to make modifications without fear of punishment.

In Washington, I joined U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and colleagues in announcing a dispute settlement with China regarding export subsidies. This settlement helps to ensure everyone in the free trade world is playing by the same rules. You can read more below.

I also met with representatives from a number of organizations in Washington.

In San Antonio, I attended STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Day at Northeast Lakeview College, where different organizations came together to show students of all ages the diverse careers in these fields.

In Laredo, my staff donated over 200 children's books from the Library of Congress to Webb County Library in Mirando City. And in La Gloria, my staff met with constituents to go over Department of Veterans Affairs claims.


Lastly, I have included some useful information from the CDC regarding the Zika virus and how to prevent mosquito bites.

Remember, you can reach out to my office regarding any issue you have with a federal agency.


Congressman Cuellar Applauds EPA’s Decision to Drop Street Car Rule Change
I commended the Environmental Protection Agency on its recent decision to drop a proposed rule change that would have prohibited the modification of street cars, or cars for regular driving purposes, for use in off-road racing events. The proposal was the result of a new interpretation of emissions standards in the Clean Air Act. Last month, I sponsored H.R. 4715, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016, along with Congressmen Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10), Richard Hudson (R-NC-8), Bill Posey (R-FL-8) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1). The legislation is designed to protect a long-held understanding that the Clean Air Act does not prohibit such modifications.

The EPA’s proposal ran counter to the long-accepted interpretation of the Clean Air Act that exempted these changes to cars. Now racing enthusiasts in my district and across the country can continue to make modifications without fear of punishment. To see the text of the bill, please click here.



Congressman Cuellar Successfully Includes Language in Military Construction and Veterans Affairs House Appropriations Bill
I recently announced that I successfully included in the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs House Appropriations bill a number of provisions designed to make life better for our country’s veterans. The bill was reviewed last week by the entire U.S. House Appropriations Committee, where I am also a member, and was passed out of committee. The bill can now head to the House floor for a full vote. The bill increases total funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs from $71.4 billion in Fiscal Year 2016 to 73.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2017. Click here to read more.

Click here to view video of the meeting of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill on April 13, the first to be passed out of committee for Fiscal Year 2017.


Congressman Cuellar Helps Secure $42 Million to Bolster Citrus Growers

This week I announced the inclusion of $42 million in federal funds to help U.S. citrus growers, including those in the Rio Grande Valley. The funds, which have been included in this year’s Agriculture House Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017, will offer support to citrus farmers in a number of ways. The bill must now pass the full House and Senate before being signed by the President. Click here to read more.


Rep. Cuellar Helps to Reduce Methane Gas Emissions in Shale Formations
I recently announced the successful inclusion of language and funds in the Fiscal Year 2017 Energy and Water House Appropriations bill to limit methane gas emissions from flaring and venting, different types of release of natural gas, in shale formations such as the Eagle Ford Shale in the 28th Congressional District. Venting, unlike flaring, does not remove impurities and causes the release of unburned fossil fuel directly into the atmosphere. Click here to read more.



Announcing Dispute Settlement with China Regarding Export Subsidies

Last week, I joined U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and colleagues Sam Farr, Congressman Kurt Schrader and Congressman Scott Peters in announcing a dispute settlement with China regarding export subsidies. I am a firm believer in free trade, but all parties need to play by the same rules. Click hereto read more.


Meeting with Southwest Airlines Director of Governmental Affairs in D.C.

On April 14, I met with Jose Luis Sanchez, Director of Governmental Affairs for Southwest Airlines, (left), in my office in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues relating to the Transportation and Security Administration, among other topics.


STEM Day at Northeast Lakeview College in Universal City

On April 16, I participated at the 2nd Annual STEM Day event at Northeast Lakeview College, where several organizations and institutions came together to show students of all ages the diverse careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Students and parents also heard remarks from Captain Barrington Irving, (pictured top center with hat) who became the youngest person and first African-American pilot to fly solo around the world in 2007 at the age of 23.

 
Recognizing Stephen J. Pringle, Associate Director of Government Affairs for the Texas Farm Bureau

On April 14, I presented a congressional recognition to Stephen J. Pringle, Associate Director of Government Affairs for the Texas Farm Bureau, for his contribution to Texas agriculture. Mr. Pringle’s passion for agriculture began in 1973, when he served as a staff member to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. While working for the committee, he had the honor of attending the World Food Conference in Rome and was present on the House floor during the swearing-in of Vice-President, Gerald Ford. After leaving the committee, Mr. Pringle worked as an assistant to the President of Texas A&M University, served as State Executive Director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and worked at the International Association of Drilling Contractors in Houston. Mr. Pringle then went on to spend 26 years at the Texas Farm Bureau, where he worked tirelessly to support and protect the livelihoods of Texas’ many farmers and ranchers.


Meeting with Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp in D.C.

Last week, I met with my friend, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, in D.C. to discuss ‪important issues in higher education.


Meeting with Texas Restaurant Association


On April 13, I met with representatives of the Texas Restaurant Association in my office in Washington to discuss issues affecting the restaurant industry.


Meeting with Laredo HS student in DC

On April 13, I met with Jannette Tijerina of Martin High School in Laredo, who was visiting DC. Jannettee is in the Close Up Foundation, which promotes responsible and informed participation in the democratic process.

 
Meeting with Pfizer to Discuss Appropriations Bill

Last week, I met with representatives from Pfizer and Tom Handel, general manager of Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer affiliate company, to discuss the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. From left to right in the photo: Angela Walker Riemer, Pfizer federal relations; Emma Peacock, Pfizer corporate affairs; and Tom Handel, general manager of Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company.


Presenting Library of Congress Children's Books for Mirando City
On April 19, my outreach coordinator for Webb, Zapata and La Salle counties, Francis Atwell, met with Vicenta Johnson (center), director of the Mirando Community Center, and Yvonne Gribble, (left) librarian at the Webb County Library in Mirando City, to donate over 200 children's books from the Library of Congress

 
Zika Virus 101- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Zika virus is another wild card dealt to us by nature. It was first discovered in 1947, but only recently grew into one of the newest global health threats, primarily for pregnant women and their unborn children. This video from the CDC provides you with useful information about the virus and how to protect yourself from mosquito bites.





Sincerely,
Henry Cuellar


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