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Dear Friends,
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The Postal Service is essential to the fabric of our communities, providing Texas families and all Americans with critical services, including the delivery of life-saving prescriptions, Social Security benefits, paychecks, tax returns, and ballot. This past weekend, I along with many of my House colleagues, voted to pass the Delivering for America Act, which saves the USPS from any ongoing interference at the hands of the Trump administration.
In the district, it was a busy week. I took part in various press conferences – in which I supported the USPS, discussed funding for Higher Education, as well as discussed a surge in CBP officers at the southern border. I also took part in interviews, briefings, and more.
My staff in the District also attended various events to raise awareness for the 2020 Census as well as helped distribute resources to local communities.
As always, if you need help with a federal agency, please contact one of my offices:
- Laredo: (956) 725-0639
- Mission: (956) 424-3942
- Rio Grande City: (956) 487-5603
- San Antonio: (210) 271-2851
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Rep. Cuellar Serves as Speaker Pro Temp
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On Saturday, August 22nd, I had the honor of serving as Speaker Pro Temp while Congress debated H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. Not only did this act pass, but it is a critical step in saving the US Postal Service as well as protecting the right to vote from any ongoing interference.
The Delivering for America Act would prohibit:
- Any change that would generally affect service on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis;
- Any revision of existing service standards;
- Closing, consolidating or reducing the hours of any post office or postal facility;
- Any prohibition on paying overtime to Postal Service officers or employees;
- Any change that would prevent the Postal Service from meeting its service standards or cause a decline in measurements of performance relative to those standards; and
- Any change that would have the effect of delaying mail or increasing the volume of undelivered mail.
This legislation will also:
- Include $25 billion requested by the Postal Service and supported unanimously and on a bipartisan basis by the Trump-appointed Postal Board of Governors;
- Require the Postal Service to treat all official election mail as First-Class mail;
- Prohibit the removal, decommissioning or other stoppages of mail sorting machines, other than for routine maintenance;
- Prohibit the removal of mailboxes; and
- Explicitly reverse any changes already implemented to the operations or policies of the Postal Service that delay mail delivery.
Rep Cuellar Hosts Press Conference to Discuss a Surge in CBP Officers at the Southern Border
On Friday, August 21st, I hosted a press conference discussing the increased activity in border crossings and surge in CBP officers at the southern border, specifically to the Laredo and Rio Grande Valley areas.
During the conference, I also explained my proposal for 'Enhanced Screening' at ports of entry to identify and prevent the spread of COVID-19. As well as CBP’s most recent change to operations for non-essential travel into Mexico at select ports of entry along the southwest border.
For a link to the video, click here.
Rep. Cuellar Holds Weekly 'Conversations with Cuellar' to Discuss Expanding Education Programs
On Wednesday, August 19th, I held my weekly 'Conversations with Cuellar' to discuss the FY21 Appropriations Bill that gives over $1.67 billion to expand education programs for low-income student and Hispanic student populations. These programs provide the necessary financial resources to Institutes of Higher Education helping students fulfill their educational goals.
To watch the conversation, click here.
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Backpack Distribution at the Fred M. & Anita Bruni Community Center
On Friday, August 21st, my Outreach Coordinator for Webb, Zapata, and LaSalle Counties, Orlando Ramirez, attended a backpack distribution event at the Fred M. & Anita Bruni Community Center. While at the event, Orlando helped raise awareness for the Census and its importance to our community. Remember, you can help shape these next 10 years, by completing the 2020 Census. It takes 10 minutes or less! Thank you to Commissioner Cindy Liendo and her staff for hosting this incredible event.
Get yourself counted here.
Census Day at Pleasanton City Library
On Thursday, August 20th, my Outreach Coordinator for Wilson, Atascosa, Bexar, and McMullen Counties, Gilbert LaFuente, attended the Pleasanton Census Event at the Pleasanton City Library. While there, Gilbert assisted people in filling out their Census and answering any questions constituents may have had.
If you like to respond over the phone, call:
- English : 844-468-2020
- Spanish: 844-468-2020
To respond online to the Census, Click here.
Pictured from left to right:
Gilbert LaFuente, Pleasanton Emergency Management Coordinator Phillip Glass, Librarian Steelman, and U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist Richard Castanon.
City of Penitas Food Drive
On Thursday, August 20th, my Outreach Coordinator for Hidalgo and Starr counties, Nicolas Cruz, attended the City of Penitas Food Drive. While there, Nicolas helped serve the citizens of Penitas by providing food relief to those in need. Thank you to the Food Bank RGV INC and to the County Commissioner Joe Flores for hosting this event to serve the community.
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Do you know what's happening in TX-28?
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Are you staying up-to-date with all things TX-28? I'm constantly posting information about federal, state, and local resources, how I'm fighting for you in D.C., and what myself and my offices are up to in the district. Don't miss out on the latest news and follow me today! You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by searching @repcuellar.
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Coronavirus Resource Handbook
My office's COVID-19 Resource Handbook provides an extremely helpful list of tools and services for all those in the district. We are constantly updating the information in our handbook and you can regularly check my website for the newest edition. This wide-ranging economic rescue package provides rapid and meaningful assistance for individuals, businesses, and first responders.
Sections include unemployment, direct payments, food assistance, homeowners and protection programs, and more. If you have any questions about the topics listed on the handbook, please contact my offices for assistance. To view the English handbook, click here. To view the Spanish handbook, click here.
The Data's in... and We're Behind On the 2020 Census
As of August 26th, our district has a response rate of 51.5%. Unfortunately, this only a .9% improvement from last week and we're still tailing behind the state's average rate of 59.4%. We are behind the state's average responses by 7.9%. In order to improve these numbers, we must make sure that every man, woman, and child living in TX-28 is properly accounted for. You can complete the Census form, by clicking here. Or, you can respond through the mail, once you receive the paper form.
| This Week's Grant Newsletter |
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Don't miss out on a grant opportunity! Attracting more federal funds to the district and region has been a top priority during my tenure in Congress. In an effort to better serve you, I want to provide you with information on a variety of open federal grant opportunities in each week's newsletter. To see this week's edition, click here. If you'd like to subscribe to the weekly grants newsletter, please fill out our google doc form.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Shopping for Food and Other Household Essentials
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Knowing the guidelines to follow when grocery shopping is important to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Make sure to stay safe and follow these guidelines for a safer shopping experience.
In this week's video, the CDC illustrates how to shop for food and other household essentials.
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| LATEST NEWS |
8/24, Laredo Morning Times: U.S. citizens and residents visiting Mexico may face longer lines, questioning, upon return
8/23, The Intercept_: BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION SET TO BEGIN NEAR HISTORIC CEMETERIES IN SOUTH TEXAS
8/21, KGNS: Cuellar proposes advanced health screenings at ports of entry
8/21, The Monitor: 600 CBP officers sent to border to help with “essential travelers”
8/21, The San Antonio Express: Hundreds more federal agents en route to southern border to deter crossings
8/20, KGNS: CBP and BP officials update Cuellar on border
8/19, WKRG: Drowning of leader at Mexican migrant camp spurs ‘silence and tears’
8/19, KGNS: Congressman Cuellar proposes bridge checks
8/19, Laredo Morning Times: Congressman Cuellar holds press conference on steps of Laredo post office demanding aid for USPS
8/18, KGNS: Former fire chief honored for 30 years of service
8/18, The San Antonio Express:Laredo activists paint a street mural to protest the border wall
8/17, Texas Public Radio: The COVID-19 Vaccine: Inside America’s Race For An Answer
8/17, KURV: Federal Funds Approved For Small Business Relief
8/17, Border Report: DHS inspector general calls border wall ‘outdated’ in report critical of CBP spending
8/16, The Brownsville Herald: EDITORIAL: Reinforcements: Case backlog necessitates more immigration judges
8/16, The Monitor: $500K in federal aid secured for small businesses in Western Valley
8/14, Laredo Morning Times: Webb County Head Start programs to receive $11.6M in funding for virtual learning
8/10, Texas Border Business: Rep. Cuellar Announces $13,928 in Federal Funds to Penitas' Fire Department
8/10, NPR: Border Patrol Faulted For Favoring Steel And Concrete Wall Over High-Tech Solutions
8/07, San Antonio Express-News: Border wall: Hundreds of miles funded, 5 new miles built
8/06, Rio Grande Guardian: Cuellar: Cutting Census count efforts by a full month is reckless and dangerous
8/06, The Monitor: Cuellar hopes 100 more immigration judges will ease 1.2M case backlog
8/05, KGNS: Congressman Cuellar announces 8 new immigration judges coming to Laredo
8/03, Texas Border Business: Rep. Cuellar Helps Secure $2.8 Billion for Construction, Major RFepari and Alternations to Land Ports of Entry
8/02, The Monitor: McAllen clinic one of 89 in US to begin COVID-19 vaccine trial
8/02, Rio Grande Guardian:Podcast: Cuellar announces COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in South Texas
7/31, KGNS: Millions of federal funds could go to Chacon Creek project
7/31, Laredo Morning Times: Laredo officials and residents react to Trump’s suggestion to delay election
7/30, Laredo Morning Times: Trump signs permit for second rail bridge in Laredo
7/27, KGNS: Cuellar Calls for more COVID-19 relief funding for schools
7/27, Laredo Morning Times: Laredo chosen for potential COVID-19 vaccine study
7/27, WOAI: San Antonio one of several South Texas areas where COVID-19 vaccine will be tested
7/27, KGNS: Cuellar calls for more COVID-19 relief funding for schools
7/26, KVEO: FEMA approves Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas
7/25, Rio Grande Guardian: Cuellar: State of Texas is ‘hoarding’ $7.5 billion in CARES Act funding
7/23, Border Report: Border lawmakers push for ‘binational strategy’ in COVID-19 relief measures
7/22, KVEO: House committee OKs $500K to help ranchers continue grazing cattle along Rio Grande
7/20, KGNS: Congressman Cuellar announces additional resources to help during pandemic
7/20, FOX San Antonio: Rep. Cuellar announces more than $2.6 million in funding for San Antonio first responders
7/18, Laredo Morning Times: Battle for the border
7/18, Laredo Morning Times: Laredo to receive funds for new air and marine hangar
7/17, Nexstar: Texas lawmakers fear businesses along U.S. border could suffer with extended travel restrictions
7/16, Missouri Times: Opinion: America needs more options for meat processing
7/14, Rio Grande Guardian: Podcast: Cuellar hosts virtual meeting of US-Mexico Interparliamentary Group
7/10, Border Report: IBWC demands water Mexico owes US, otherwise Texas ranchers, communities ‘suffer’
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