Congressman Rubén Hinojosa continues to work for Texas and for you
July 19, 2011

This July, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa wished the people of the 15th District of Texas a happy 4th of July holiday, and urged everyone to remember the sacrifices made by our ancestors and the soldiers of today who continue to fight for our country’s safety.

On July 7th, the Congressman announced the resolution of a US-Mexico trading dispute and the start of a new cross-border long haul trucking program that lifts Mexican tariffs imposed more than two years ago. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and his Mexican counterpart Arturo Pèrez-Jàcome Friscione met in Mexico City to sign the new agreement. Under the new program, 50% of retaliatory tariffs placed on more than $2 billion in U.S. agricultural and manufactured products will be lifted by July 17th, with the remainder to be lifted in the coming weeks. The agreement will provide new opportunities to increase U.S. exports and will expand job creation in the 15th District.

“This is certainly great news for our farmers and other business owners in the state of Texas and especially in the Rio Grande Valley,” said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. “This agreement will keep our trade moving safely and create an economic boon with our nation’s third largest trading partners.”

Congressman Hinojosa also announced the creation of the new federal Emergency Homeowners Loan Program, which will directly help struggling homeowners with mortgage payments. Through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Congress has allocated more than $1 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the new program. All homeowners who have experienced a significant income reduction due to unemployment or underemployment and are at risk for foreclosure are eligible under the program to receive a zero-interest, forgivable bridge loan up to $50,000 to assist in mortgage payments. The program is expected to assist up to 35,000 borrowers, with an average loan of $35,000.

“I encourage anyone who is struggling with their home mortgage to apply for the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program,” said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. “Those who qualify and are approved will have the opportunity to be assisted with their housing needs.”

In addition, Congressman Hinojosa announced grants of over $1 million have been awarded to UTPA, TSTC, and the Costal Bend College branches in Beeville and Alice to fund the Talent Search program, which helps low-income students in pursuing a higher education.

On July 8th, Congressman Hinojosa commended the South Texas Literacy Coalition of Edinburg on receiving a $3,500 funding award from Literacy Texas to support financial literacy. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, the congressman said he was impressed with the success the program has had so far in the Hidalgo County area.

On July 11th, Congressman Hinojosa announced a $339,981 grant awarded to UTPA to fund a high-technology science project which will develop self-assembling systems at the molecular level. This cutting-edge project could change the way computers and medicine and used.

On July 13th, the City of La Feria was awarded a grant of $18.5 million by the Texas Land Office to repair critical damages to the city’s drainage infrastructure sustained during Hurricane Dolly in 2008. Improvements to be funded include repair and construction of gutters, retaining walls, manholes, and pipes, which will reduce flooding and improve drainage in the city.

Congressman Hinojosa announced the award of almost $4 million in grants to District 15 public Housing Authorities, which will be used to construct new homes and improve older ones in communities including Alamo, Beeville, Edcouch, McAllen, Three Rivers, and Yoakum.

By an overwhelming vote, legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Hinojosa to reauthorize and reform the National Flood Insurance Program passed the House on July 13th. The bill reauthorizes NFIP for the next five years and includes provisions to increase revenue by $4.2 billion over the next 10 years.

On July 15th, Congressman Hinojosa announced that Republicans had passed legislation in the Education and Workforce Committee to raid funding for the poor and minority students while undermining civil rights. The new legislation allows federal money allocated for use on disadvantaged students to be put to any other use under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act under the guise of flexibility. The legislation is opposed by the congressman, the Tri-Caucus, the business community, and dozens of civil rights groups including the National PTA, the NAACP, and the National Council of La Raza.

Last week, the Harlingen Housing Authority was awarded $99,057 by HUD to fund vouchers to help homeless valley veterans find and pay for housing in the area.

“I am continuing to work very hard to represent the constituents of the 15th Congressional District of Texas. So far, there has been a tremendous amount of federal funding and programs which I have helped bring to our area. This funding and the programs which have been established are directly helping our residents, and our economy, by creating jobs, and expanding businesses and infrastructure in our urban and rural communities.”

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