LAREDO, TX – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $20 million in federal funding for water infrastructure in Laredo as well as other funding priorities secured in the recent government funding bill. He also announced the passage of legislation that he helped champion that restores full social security benefits for our public servants.

“We successfully secured integral funding and support through the recent government bill to address critical water infrastructure needs in Laredo,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This achievement was made possible by a bipartisan Texas delegation letter that I led on the issue of Laredo’s water infrastructure needs to both Democratic and Republican leadership. I want to thank the House Appropriations Committee leadership for including funding for these vital projects in the recent government funding bill. These initiatives represent a significant step forward in enhancing our water infrastructure and supporting our communities. Let’s continue working together to build a better future for Laredo and beyond.”

The government funding bill includes $300 million for the Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental infrastructure assistance program, which, combined with the recent Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorities, secured by the Congressman, will support $20 million in funding for wastewater infrastructure and water supply in Webb County. This program supports the design and construction of infrastructure in specified municipalities, counties, and states. Projects encompass water distribution works, stormwater management, surface water protection, and environmental restoration, among others. 

Congressman Cuellar also announced the following federal funding priorities secured in the recent government funding bill: 

• $110 billion in overall disaster assistance for relief efforts across the country including:
  • $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers and ranchers,
  • $21 billion in disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers,
  • $2.2 billion in federal funding to support small businesses and individuals through the Small Business Administration disaster loan program,
• $250 million in federal funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission for emergency water infrastructure repairs and to address sewage contamination of United States communities. 

Furthermore, Congressman Cuellar announced that he helped secure language in the government funding bill to provide economic support to farmers who have been negatively impacted by Mexico's failure to deliver water to the United States in accordance with the 1944 Water Treaty.  

Finally, Congressman Cuellar announced that he helped pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, legislation that restores social security benefits for public servants including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and postal workers. 

The Social Security Fairness Act, which Congressman Cuellar championed, repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government.

Specifically, the bill eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own.

The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 has passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and is on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

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