Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, released the following statement in response to today’s joint announcement by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S. southern border beginning August 1, 2010.
Read more »
The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that after receiving a letter from U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Rubén Hinojosa and Solomon Ortiz, the State will expedite funding for mosquito abatement in several counties affected by Hurricane Alex. The $500,000 approved late Thursday, was requested by Webb, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties for ground spraying chemicals and briquettes, which are placed in standing water to kill mosquito larvae.
Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Saldana to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Saldana will serve as one of two federal judges for the U.S. District Court in Laredo, Texas. This is the first nomination made by the President to fulfill the pending federal judgeships throughout the State of Texas. Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs for simplifying the application process for veterans filing for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) benefits and health care services. The new procedures, effective this week, will significantly reduce the information a veteran needs to submit when claiming PTSD.
Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that $701 million in emergency funding for the nation’s southern border passed the House late Thursday as part of a larger emergency spending measure to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The funding will allow for the deployment of 1,200 new Border Patrol agents between the ports of entry along the U.S. Mexico border and also includes $201 million for Justice Department programs that support local law enforcement. Read more »
Today, the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation issued the following statement regarding a provision contained in the House-passed 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act to prevent the state of Texas from diverting $820 million in emergency education jobs funding for non-educational use. Last year, Texas state leaders diverted to its rainy day fund $3.25 billion in federal Recovery Act funds that were intended to support Texas public schools. Read more »
Beginning today, uninsured Texans with pre-existing conditions can apply for a new health insurance program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) will cover a broad range of health benefits, including primary and specialty care, for uninsured Texans who currently don’t have health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) helped pass the Homebuyers Assistance and Improvement Act to extend an important deadline to help eligible first-time homebuyers benefit from tax credits. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly Tuesday and would give homebuyers an extra three months to complete their home purchases to benefit from tax credits worth up to $8,000. Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court decision affirming state and local rights for individuals to keep and bear arms. On Monday, the high court ruled to uphold nationwide the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, concluding that the constitutional right of an individual to keep and bear arms is protected from state and local laws restricting gun ownership. Read more »
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that a new health care website will go live on July 1 to provide Americans a place to compare and research health insurance plans online. The Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to launch the website next week: www.healthcare.gov.
Read more »
