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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Labor shortages and rising housing costs is putting homeownership out of reach for many South Texas families.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced $859,756 in federal funding for three South Texas fire departments to strengthen fire and other related emergency readiness. Specifically, the funds, delivered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will provide the City of San Juan with $56,727 and the Edinburg City of Administration with $136,363 to acquire critically needed equipment and train emergency personnel to enhance operations. Funds will also provide the City of Edcouch with $666,666 to support vehicle acquisition.

“South Texas firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe; they deserve top-notch equipment and resources to do their jobs effectively and efficiently,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “I am proud to help bring funding home that supports emergency operations and improves public safety. Together, in partnership with our community leaders, I remain committed to assuring our region continues to benefit from federal investments.” 

Since 2001, AFG has helped meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. To learn more about $291.6 million made available nationwide through the Fiscal Year 2024 AFG program, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C.—As Republicans continue their self-created health care crisis that will raise costs on thousands of South Texas families, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) is supporting a discharge petition to force a vote in the House of Representatives that would extend Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years. The petition currently has signatures from 212 of the required 218-congressional member threshold.

In a video, Congressman Gonzalez details how Republicans “One Big, Ugly Bill” as well as their refusal to include an extension of ACA tax credits in the deal to reopen the federal government will kick 15 million Americans off affordable health coverage while spiking insurance premiums for nearly 130,000 South Texans in the 34^th Congressional District of Texas.

To download the video in high-quality resolution, click here.

Transcript of Congressman Gonzalez’s remarks:

Hi, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez here.

We need to talk about health care because this administration has created a crisis for hundreds of thousands of South Texans and aren’t doing a damn thing to fix it. 

After they passed the “One Big, Ugly Bill” that will kick 15 million Americans off low-cost health care plans, I made it clear that I would fight to extend the ACA tax credit that makes American health care more affordable for almost 130,000 people in our district. 

What did Republicans do?

They shut down the government for 43 days. 

And when a deal finally came to the House for a vote, it did nothing to address the Republican health care crisis or renew the ACA tax credits.

Chaotic policies are already making everything more expensive, from groceries and clothing to furniture and electronics. 

Now, they want to break the bank for lifesaving care.

South Texans shouldn’t be forced to delay doctor visits, ration necessary medications, or in the worst-case scenario, forgo health care altogether because of skyrocketing costs.

I’m glad that the government has reopened so workers can get their paychecks, families can get the help they need to put food on their table, and air travel can return to normal.

However, we can’t just ignore the looming health care crisis.

So, where do we go from here? 

The Senate already agreed to vote on an ACA tax credit in December, but to no one’s surprise, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to do the same. 

That’s why, just last week, I signed a discharge petition to force the House to vote to extend the ACA tax credit subsidies for three more years. 

We need 218 signatures, and I’m hopeful we get there soon.

I refuse to abandon South Texas families, like the 60-year-old couple who earns [$82,800] a year and now has a health insurance cost increase of [$16,639].

Or Alix, from Brownsville, who relies on ACA coverage to manage a chronic health condition he’s had for over three decades. And without it, he’ll pay nearly $1,000 more out of pocket for medications.

Health care is not a partisan issue. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, it affects us all. 

From South Texas to the halls of Congress, I won’t stop fighting to make sure we have affordable coverage.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres, Alexis@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C.—After Republican Senate leadership promised a December vote to address expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and a bipartisan group of his colleagues requested that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer work with House lawmakers to craft a comprehensive and bipartisan health care proposal.

In the letter last week, the members wrote, “If we work together, our hope is that the bill will not only achieve a sixty-vote majority in the Senate but will also then move to the House for immediate consideration and passage.”

Because ACA Open Enrollment runs from now to January 15, 2026, many South Texas families are turning to the Health Insurance Marketplace to find a low-cost plan that meets their needs. Republicans already passed their “One Big, Ugly Bill” earlier this year that will kick 15 million Americans off their coverage.  Now, nearly 130,000 South Texans in the 34th Congressional District of Texas will see their insurance premiums skyrocket if Republicans allow ACA tax credits to expire at the end of the year. A 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 a year would see an annual increase of $16,639, and a family of four earning $64,000 a year would see an increase of $2,571.

While Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not publicly committed to holding a vote on ACA tax credits, Congressman Gonzalez also signed a discharge petition to force a House vote on extending ACA tax credits subsidies for three years. It currently has 183 out of the 218 signatures needed for consideration.

Joining Congressman Gonzalez in last week’s letter are Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), Jen Kiggans (VA-2), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), Susie Lee (NV-3), Don Bacon (NE-2), Ed Case (HI-1), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Greg Landsman (OH-1), Jeff Hurd (CO-3), Darren Soto (FL-9), Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-8), Tom Barrett (MI-7), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), George Whitesides (CA-27), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Donald Davis (NC-1), Scott Peters (CA-50), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Josh Riley (NY-19), Laura Gillen (NY-4), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13). 

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

“The Rural Residency Planning and Development Program is vital to addressing physician shortages in rural communities. It is our job in Congress to invest in the next generation of rural health care workers and provide these hardworking men and women the proper resources and program stability they need to learn and continue to practice in rural communities,” said Rep. Miller (R-WV).

“Rural hospitals across the country, including in Nebraska’s Third District, struggle to recruit and retain enough providers to fully meet the needs of their communities. Part of this problem comes down to lack of exposure: only two percent of residency training occurs in rural areas. We know training new physicians in rural areas builds connections to rural communities and encourages them to seriously consider jobs in similar areas. Extending the RRPD’s authorization will help more rural hospitals establish new residency programs and bolster the workforce pipeline to our rural communities,” said Rep. Smith (R-NE).

“I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to strengthen the pipeline of physicians who live and practice in rural America. This bill makes a simple but powerful commitment: if we want more doctors in our rural communities, we must train them in our rural communities. HRSA’s RRPD program has already delivered real results, including in Louisiana, by helping towns build new residency programs from the ground up. By authorizing and sustaining this program, we’re giving rural hospitals, clinics, and training partners the tools they need to recruit and prepare the next generation of family physicians, internists, OB-GYNs, psychiatrists, surgeons, and more. This is how we close care gaps, support our rural workforce, and ensure every family, no matter their ZIP code, can count on access to quality health care,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA).

“Our rural and remote communities are facing some of the most severe provider shortages in the country. Without real, long-term investment in workforce development and job training, we will not retain the doctors and specialists we need. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Rural Residency Planning and Development Act, which would bring stability to a program that has successfully created new rural residency programs and positions nationwide, including in Hawai‘i. Our bill will help rural hospitals and clinics grow the local workforce, expand provider capacity, and reduce wait times for patients,” said Rep. Tokuda (D-HI). 

 Click here for bill text.

Background

– Nearly 20% of Americans live in rural areas, but only 10% of physicians practice in these communities. 

– The United States continues to face a serious physician shortage, especially in rural communities. Current projections show the nation may fall short by up to 124,000 physicians in the next decade, with rural areas alone  expecting to face a deficit of more than 20,000 primary care doctors by this year.

– Training, recruiting, and retaining physicians in rural communities is essential to ensuring that people living in these areas have reliable access to comprehensive health care services.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the RCORP Authorization Act, a bipartisan bill that amends the Public Health Service Act and ensures the continued operation of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). This legislation secures and strengthens vital prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder in rural communities. This bill will also help local providers expand medical care and better respond to emerging public health challenges.

“Supporting communities battling addiction remains one of my highest priorities. Representing a rural district, I know how critical it is for families to have reliable access to quality health care and recovery services. RCORP delivers essential funding to rural areas that lack the resources needed to address substance use disorders, and formally authorizing this program provides stability for the providers doing this lifesaving work. I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to strengthen prevention and recovery services in some of the most underserved parts of our nation,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“For the millions of Americans battling substance use disorder, having access to proven, affordable treatment can mean the difference between life and death. The RCORP program is critical in bringing those lifesaving services to our rural communities, including those in our own Capital Region. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation that ensures those living with the disease of addiction have access to the health care treatment and resources they need to find and follow the path to recovery,” said Rep. Tonko (D-NY)

“Opioid addiction doesn’t discriminate by age, income, or political party, and it’s going to take all of us working together to end to this national crisis. I’m proud to work with my colleagues authorize the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. While there is no silver bullet, bipartisan solutions like this will help us save lives and support those struggling with substance use,” said Rep. Sewell (D-AL). 

“Rural districts like mine face significant barriers to opioid treatment and recovery. Formally authorizing the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program ensures those battling substance abuse maintain access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. As a pharmacist, this issue is deeply personal to me. I will continue working so every American has the tools and support necessary to overcome addiction, and I thank my colleagues for working together to save lives,” said Rep. Carter (R-GA).

“On behalf of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, we are thrilled to see Reps. Carol Miller, Buddy Carter, Terri Sewell, and Paul Tonko introduce the RCORP Authorization Bill of 2025.  The RCORP program has been a lifeline for Rural communities in West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, New York and all 50 states.  If passed into law this bill solidifies the standing of the program in the eyes of Congress – we look forward to working with our rural champions to ensure Congress advances this important bipartisan measure,” said Tammy Norville, CEO of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. 

“Substance use disorder, including opioid use, is exacerbated in rural America by a lack of access to care and treatment. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is the only opioid grant program targeted exclusively to rural populations and is aimed at alleviating access gaps by establishing and expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services. NRHA applauds the efforts of Congresswoman Miller and Congressman Tonko for their introduction of the RCORP Authorization Act and their continual leadership on rural issues,” –said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association.
 

 Click here for bill text.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), joined by Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV), introduced a resolution honoring U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who were targeted and tragically shot while serving in the line of duty last Wednesday. Specialist Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, and while Staff Sergeant Wolfe is showing improvement, he remains in the hospital fighting for his life.

Representatives Miller and Moore express their gratitude to Senators Capito (R-WV) and Justice (R-WV) for their work on the companion legislation in the Senate.

“Serving our nation in the National Guard takes immense courage, and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe embodied that courage to its fullest. They represent the very best of us and exemplify true dedication to their country. As a mother and grandmother, I grieve with Sarah’s family as her life was taken far too soon. I am also praying earnestly for Andrew, who continues to fight for his life with incredible strength. This resolution honors Sarah and Andrew and ensures that Congress stands with all their loved ones, as they face the unthinkable. We honor their selfless service and, as Americans, stand united against the evil that has struck our nation,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“As a father, my heart breaks for the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. She volunteered to serve, and in the end gave the last full measure of devotion to her country. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who comes from a proud West Virginian family dedicated to serving their community and country, continues to fight for his life in the hospital. My heart is with their families and loved ones. This resolution sends a clear message that the American people stand with the Beckstrom family, Andrew Wolfe, and the whole West Virginia National Guard community. We grieve this horrific and senseless attack, and continue to pray for these Guardsmen and their families,” said Congressman Moore. 

Read the resolution here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Washington, DC – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined his colleagues Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02), Janelle Bynum (OR-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) in introducing the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act. This bill reduces administrative barrier for ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodplains, speeding up development time and reducing regulatory costs.

“Bureaucratic red tape should not stall common sense conservation projects,” said Steil. “The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act eases administrative burdens and empowers Wisconsin communities to make our waterways healthier, strengthen our resilience to floods, and enhance ecosystems across the nation. I’m proud to help lead the effort to ensure Wisconsin’s conservation projects are completed on time, strengthening our environment and reducing flood risks in our community.”

 “FEMA’s No-Rise Rule is hindering conservation efforts across the state of Montana and across the country,” said Downing. “My bipartisan legislation cuts this burdensome red tape, empowering locally supported conservation and restoration projects. I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this common sense measure to right size regulation for American conservation.”

“Environmental restoration projects across Oregon – and the country – are being held up by unnecessary red tape when they don’t need to be,” said Bynum. “It’s resulting in canceled projects and costing our communities thousands of dollars. I’m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for partnering with me on this important legislation that will protect our communities, restore our environment, and remove barriers to progress.”

“Floodplain restoration projects reduce flood risks and provide many other public benefits,” said Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive Director Tracy Hames. “Despite this, many obstacles impede wetland, stream, and floodplain restoration within FEMA-mapped areas. Addressing the regulatory barriers is a crucial first step to bringing back the water-managing functions of Wisconsin’s floodplains. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Steil and other congressional delegates to advance this commonsense approach.”

Read the bill HERE. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Elkhorn, WI – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) presented Sam Porter, a nurse at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital and Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, with Wisconsin’s First Congressional District’s 2025 Health Care Worker of the Year Award.

 “Health care professionals serve on the front lines. Our community is especially thankful to Samantha Porter for her dedication to helping others, both inside and outside of the emergency department. Her selflessness, compassion, and commitment to putting her patients’ needs first should be commended. Congratulations, Samantha.”

(Pictured: Theresa Porter, Healthcare Worker of the Year Sam Porter, Congressman Bryan Steil, Joan Yunker, and Sean Yunker)

Steil presented the 2025 Health Care Worker of the Year Award to Sam Porter, an Emergency Department Nurse at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital and at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. Samantha was nominated for her commitment to providing life-saving and compassionate care to every patient she serves. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

Court Sides With Pallone and Colleagues in Challenge to Trump’s Illegal Habba Appointment