While in Jourdanton, I learned about a recent water break and visited one of the worksites alongside Mayor Robert “Doc” Williams and Jourdanton City Council Member Katrina Wiatrek to see the situation firsthand. Reliable water infrastructure is essential for families, businesses and the continued growth of our communities. I’ll continue working to bring back federal dollars to Atascosa County to help improve water infrastructure and address these important needs.

My office recently joined Laredo Independent School District for its Childhood Awareness Month Proclamation to recognize the importance of supporting children and families across our community. Our schools, educators, parents, and community organizations all play an important role in giving children the support and opportunities they need to succeed. Thank you to LISD for bringing attention to this important effort and for the work you do every day for students and families in Laredo.

The Rio Grande is a year-round homeland security mission. That is why I secured language in the House FY27 Homeland Security appropriations bill to expand the Coast Guard’s presence in the Rio Grande Valley, including the personnel and facilities needed to sustain operations. This will strengthen federal law enforcement capabilities along the river. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue working to make sure South Texas has the personnel, technology, and resources needed to secure our border.

I was honored to present a Congressional Recognition to Dustin and Michelle Titzman and their children, Penelope, Everly, Adeline and Stokes, for founding Warrior Kid Medic, a remarkable initiative born right here in Jourdanton, Texas, that’s helping prepare children to respond in an emergency. Through Warrior Kid Medic, the Titzman family teaches children practical first aid, emergency preparedness, critical thinking and leadership skills. Building on Dustin’s two decades of experience as a firefighter, paramedic and Army Reserve Blackhawk pilot, as well as the family’s work with Camp SkyWay, they’ve now taught more than 1,000 children through camps, homeschool groups and community trainings. I was honored to have this tribute entered into the Congressional Record so the Titzman family and our community can always look back on the impact Warrior Kid Medic is making. Congratulations to the Titzman family, and thank you for empowering the next generation to lead, serve and help others when it matters most!

I was pleased to announce more than $42.1 million in projected federal transportation funding for Atascosa County through TxDOT’s newly approved 2027 Unified Transportation Program alongside Jourdanton Mayor Robert “Doc” Williams and Poteet Mayor Denise Sanchez. This funding will support improvements to highways, bridges and local transportation infrastructure throughout the county, including important corridors like FM 476, SH 173, SH 97, US 281 and I-37. These investments will help improve road safety, strengthen rural communities and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of Atascosa County. Thank you to TxDOT, our local officials and transportation partners for continuing to move these important projects forward. I’ll continue working to bring federal transportation dollars back home to improve the roads and infrastructure our communities rely on every day.

I am saddened by the passing of my friend and former colleague, Garnet Coleman. Garnet and I served together in the Texas House, and I had the privilege of knowing him not only as a dedicated public servant, but as a friend. For more than 30 years, he represented the people of Houston and worked to improve health care, mental health services, and opportunities for families across our state. Garnet cared deeply about the people he represented and dedicated much of his life to serving Texas. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace. houstonpublicmedia.org/artic…

I was honored to present a Congressional Recognition to Dr. Gilda Y. Martínez for a career dedicated to helping others learn, grow and succeed. As a daughter of Laredo and a TAMIU graduate, Dr. Martínez began her work in our local classrooms and went on to prepare and mentor the teachers who would shape the next generation. Through her work in bilingual education and the Unidos Para Texas Bilingual Education Conference she founded, she helped educators better serve students and recognize their language and culture as strengths. Her dedication to education made a lasting difference in our community. I was honored to have this tribute entered into the Congressional Record so her family, students and future educators could always look back on the impact she made. Congratulations to Dr. Martínez, and thank you for helping students see what was possible for their lives!

This morning, I was pleased to announce $491,320 in federal funding for Texas A&M International University’s Advanced Nurse Education-Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (TAMIU-SANE) Program. This funding will help TAMIU continue training and certifying nurses to become Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, expanding access to compassionate, trauma-informed forensic care for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence right here in South Texas. Through hands-on training, clinical experience and mentorship, nurses are prepared to provide specialized medical and forensic care. TAMIU is already putting these resources to work through SANE boot camps, forensic training and partnerships with local health care providers to expand access to specialized equipment and care. Thank you to TAMIU and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as the nurses, health care professionals, law enforcement officers, advocates and community organizations who support survivors every day. I’ll continue working in Congress to bring federal resources home to South Texas and ensure our nurses and community partners have the tools and training they need to provide survivors with the care, dignity and support they deserve.

Since Sunday’s ICE-related shooting in Austin, TX, I immediately began working with my subcommittee to find answers as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, including whether or not the agent involved was wearing body worn camera – technology I advocated for when finalizing the DHS appropriations bill for 2026.  It is unfortunate that we are still awaiting that clarification from ICE given the recent public reporting that the shooting involves a new recruit and was not using a body camera, despite clear instruction and funding from Congress as well as prior confirmation from ICE that body cameras had been deployed to all ICE agents in Texas. We have also asked several questions about the agencies involved in this investigation and the role they will play, confirmation on whether the agent(s) involved will remain in Texas for the duration of the investigation as well as their current duty status, why Mr. Perez was moved to a detention facility with a bullet remaining in their body, and the future outlook of procuring dashboard cameras as well as justification for the prioritization of non-criminals for deportation.   I have been equally engaged in the on-camera assault on two U.S. citizen teenagers by ICE agents in Alamo, TX as well as the recent deportation of Teresa de Jesus Ochoa Briseno. We are awaiting further clarification from ICE on the events of that day and if and when the agent’s body worn camera footage may be released to Congress.

My Defense Fellow, Fady Antoon, met with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, to discuss how Congress can better support the families of fallen servicemembers and veterans. Since 1994, TAPS has helped military families through peer support, casework assistance, survivor seminars, and programs for children, all at no cost to families. We discussed survivor benefits, casualty assistance, and support for families grieving a death by suicide. When a servicemember dies, our responsibility to their family does not end. I will continue working to make sure military and veteran families have access to the benefits, services, and support they have earned. If you or someone you know has lost a military loved one, TAPS is available 24/7 at 800-959-TAPS (8277).

Diesel prices are putting real pressure on truck drivers, farmers, small businesses, and families across South Texas. The war in Iran has disrupted global diesel supplies and helped push prices to record highs. The national average has climbed above $6.50 a gallon, and the Administration is now considering restrictions on U.S. diesel exports as one option to bring prices down. Unfortunately, this proposal would only make matters worse and push prices higher. We need to have a real conversation on how to reduce prices without inadvertently hurting families further. This includes ending the war in Iran, which Congress has made clear, was not properly authorized. theguardian.com/us-news/2026…

Happy 103rd Birthday to longtime Laredoan Leo Greenblum! My office had the honor of presenting Mr. Greenblum with a Congressional Recognition in celebration of this incredible milestone. Mr. Greenblum continues to stay active, enjoy time with his family, and make the most of each day surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Congratulations, Mr. Greenblum, on 103 years. Wishing you continued health, happiness, and many more memories with your family.

My office joined Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo for the People of Hope Museum Tour during its stop in Laredo. The traveling exhibit shares stories of resilience, poverty, and the difference communities can make when neighbors step up to help one another. Thank you to Catholic Charities for bringing this exhibit to Laredo and for the work you do every day to support families across our community.

I had a great time meeting with the Texas Farm Bureau at Palenque Grill in Laredo today. We had a conversation about the challenges facing our farmers and ranchers, from high input costs and drought to the threat of New World screwworm. I’ll continue working to advance a long-term Farm Bill and make sure our producers have the resources and federal support they need to protect their livelihoods and keep feeding America.

South Texas is growing, and our roads and highways need to keep up. TXDOT’s newly adopted 2027 transportation plan includes more than $4.6 billion in road and infrastructure investments across nine counties in #TX28. Federal transportation dollars play a major role in getting these projects built. For many highway projects, federal funding covers up to 80% of eligible costs, helping Texas make critical investments in our roads, bridges, and highways. These investments will help make our roads safer, improve mobility, and keep families, businesses, and freight moving across South Texas. I will continue working in Congress to bring federal transportation dollars back home and make sure South Texas has the infrastructure it needs to keep growing.

I am very concerned about reports of an ICE-involved shooting in Austin, Texas. There needs to be a thorough and independent investigation into this incident. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I have made it a priority to ensure transparency within DHS. I look forward to receiving answers in a timely manner on this situation. nytimes.com/2026/09/20/us/ic…

Celebrating another year of life and feeling especially grateful for everything this past year has brought. I’m thankful for my family and friends who have been by my side, for the memories we’ve made and all the moments that made this year special. Thank you to everyone who took the time to celebrate with me and make my birthday even more meaningful. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and all the memories still to come!

It was great to attend the investiture ceremony of Dr. Christopher Maynard and celebrate this exciting new chapter for Texas A&M International University as he was formally invested as TAMIU’s seventh president. It was a special opportunity to celebrate his leadership and the continued growth of our university. I was honored to present Dr. Maynard with a congressional recognition that will be included in the Congressional Record, recognizing his leadership and TAMIU’s accomplishments during his first year, including reaching more than 9,000 students and securing a historic $38 million unrestricted gift to expand merit-based scholarships. Thank you, Dr. Maynard, for your leadership and commitment to TAMIU. I look forward to working with you and seeing all that TAMIU will accomplish in the years ahead.

I announced more than $43.5 million in federal education funding for Webb County schools, including $31.3 million through Title I and $12.3 million through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These federal dollars help provide additional academic support, strengthen educational opportunities and ensure students with disabilities have access to special education and related services. Title I also helps schools serving high numbers of students from low-income families provide resources to help close achievement gaps. I thank the educators, administrators, school board members, parents and community leaders at Laredo ISD, United ISD and Webb CISD who work every day to give our students the education, support and opportunities they need to succeed. Federal education funding isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. It means resources in our classrooms, support for teachers and services for students. I’ll continue fighting to protect these programs and bring federal dollars back home to make sure our schools have the resources they need.