On Thursday, May 13th, I joined the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security for a hearing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to discuss resource management and operational priorities.

Despite the polarization of immigration policy, Congress must take action to balance immigration enforcement with both due process and humanitarian considerations.

Watch the hearing here. 

Through the American Rescue Plan, Gateway Community Health Clinic received $7,005,500 in federal funding to enhance and expand Gateway’s capacity of services in Zapata and Webb Counties. On Monday, May 10th, I joined Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell, Gateway CEO, Elmo Lopez, and the rest of Gateway’s Zapata staff to discuss how these funds will be critical in providing resources and services to those seeking medical care, including COVID tests and vaccines.

Watch the grant announcement here. 

Pictured is Rep. Cuellar, County Judge, Joe Rathmell, Gateway CEO, Elmo Lopez, and county and state representatives.

On Wednesday, May 12th, my Outreach Coordinator for Webb, Zapata, La Salle, and McMullen Counties, Melissa Pena, attended the Border Patrol Youth of the Month parade in Laredo. Due to the pandemic, Border Patrol was unable to hold their monthly celebrations. This parade honored the students selected during the months of Oct. 2020 to May 2021. While there, Melissa presented 88 Congressional Certificates of Recognition to each high school student for their outstanding work.

Pictured is the Youth of the Month parade. 

Local RGV media titan, Ron Whitlock, is a dear friend of mine. My heart broke when I learned of his son's passing.

His son, Ronald James "Jimmy" Whitlock, was the executive director of the Sunday morning talk show, Valley Newsline with Ron Whitlock on KRGV-TV News Channel 5, and its predecessor program on the station, Borderline with Ron Whitlock. Jimmy played a pivotal role in the Rio Grande Valley's media scene and built a long-lasting legacy. 

My Outreach Coordinator, Nicolas Cruz, attended Jimmy Whitlock's funeral reception on my behalf. The Whitlock family has a history of citrus farming and gardening, and in a moment of pain and grief, Ron continued to be a source of light, graciously sharing a bag of home-grown pears with my staff. 

Pictured is Nicolas Cruz and Ron Whitlock.

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, we can create a culture that normalizes and prioritizes mental health.

For more information and resources, click here. 

The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidelines on how to protect yourself and others once you're fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or physical distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

If you aren't vaccinated yet, I highly urge you to find a provider in your area. 

For more info from the CDC, click here.