November 4, 2020

Congressional Report

Dear Friend,

This week marks the beginning of the 2021 open enrollment period! I encourage all South Texans to go to healthcare.gov to research plans and find one that works best for them and their family. In addition, I advise families with current health insurance plans to check the rates and coverage to ensure it is still the best fit for them. The deadline is December 15th.

At this time of uncertainty, I will continue to fight for every American to ensure they receive the critical medical care that families need to stay healthy and safe.

My staff and I participated in a number of events throughout the week. I traveled down to the Rio Grande Valley to help open the new northbound lanes at the Anzalduas International Bridge as well as host a grant announcement with the City of La Joya and UTRGV. I also visited San Antonio to hold a press conference with UTSA to deliver two federal grants.

As always, I encourage you to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stay safe. Stay strong. Wear a mask.

Rep. Cuellar Helps Deliver $398,096 to UTSA

On Tuesday, October 27th, I hosted a press conference with the University of Texas San Antonio to help deliver two federal grants, totaling $398,096. I announced $84,000 in federal funds, through USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program, for workforce development, business development, and job creation in the San Antonio region.

In addition, I helped deliver $314,096 in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School program. These funds will be used to provide campus-based childcare services to children of low-income undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in postsecondary education.

To watch the press conference with UTSA, click here.

Rep. Cuellar is pictured with Lupe Valdez, USDA Area Director; Albert Carrisalez, UTSA Assistant Vice President for Government Relations and Policy; Al Salgado, Assistant Vice President for Small Business and Community Engagement for UTSA’s Institute for Economic Development; and Dr. Margo DelliCarpini, UTSA Dean for the College of Education and Human Development.

Rep. Cuellar Inaugurates New Northbound Lanes at Anzalduas International Bridge

On October 29th, I joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Superintendent of Bridges Juan Olaguibel, Senator Cornyn’s office, Senator “Chuy” Hinojosa, State Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr., and mayors from surrounding cities to celebrate the northbound lane expansion at the Anzalduas International Bridge. This expansion adds two operational inspection lanes, which will shorten wait times and improve border efficiency.

Rep. Cuellar is pictured with CBP officials, Armando O'Caña, Mayor of Mission, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, State Senator of District 20, and Ana Garcia, Regional Director for Senator Cornyn's office.

Rep. Cuellar Delivers $549,948 to the Rio Grande Valley

On Thursday afternoon, I held a press conference with UTRGV and La Joya to deliver two grants, totaling $549,948. Specifically, I announced $499,948 in federal funds to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and their work to establish and expand services for victims and survivors of sexual assault.

In addition, I announced $50,000 in federal funds to the City of La Joya, through USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program, which will be used to generate statistical data of the size of its economy and identify opportunities for future economic development.

To watch the press conference, click here.

In the first photo, Rep. Cuellar is pictured with Veronica De La Garza, Director of Government Relations, Dr. Parwinder Grewal, Executive Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies & New Program Development, and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, State Senator of District 20

In the second photo, Rep. Cuellar is pictured with Isidro Casanova, Mayor of La Joya, and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, State Senator of District 20.

IDEA Rio Grande City Receives U.S. Constitutions

My Outreach Coordinator for Hidalgo and Starr Counties, Nicolas Cruz, visited IDEA Rio Grande City to give about 300 5th and 6th grade students pocket-sized constitutions, the most influential legal document in existence. With these pocket-size constitutions, they will learn how constitutional issues impact our everyday lives. Knowledge of the constitution will allow our students to understand how they fit into the world around them as well as their civic responsibility in society.

Nicolas Cruz is pictured with IDEA RGC College Prep. Principal, Karmen Alanis, and RGC Teacher, Aileen Encinia.

Service Academy Nomination Deadline November 6

Each year I have the privilege of nominating young men and women for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point. This year's deadline is November 6th, 2020. For more information, click here.

Grants Newsletter

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. 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 a previous edition, click here. If you'd like to subscribe to the weekly grants newsletter, please fill out our google doc form.

Sincerely,

Congressman Henry Cuellar