Legislative Activity

The Selena Commemorative Coin Act directs the Treasury to mint gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2029, bearing designs emblematic of Selena Quintanilla. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, supporting museum operations and a Selena exhibit. Minting and issuing the coins must not create any net cost to the Federal Government.

This bill expresses support for diplomatic efforts to ensure Mexico adheres to the 1944 treaty by delivering the agreed-upon water to the United States annually. It highlights the water shortages faced by South Texas farmers due to Mexico's non-compliance. The bill aims to foster new agreements that guarantee the U.S. receives a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water each year, as stipulated in the treaty.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 requires that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a disclaimer informing applicants that they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if they have served in the military. It also requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on lender compliance with the disclaimer requirement.

The "SPEAK Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to form a task force to improve access to healthcare information technology for those who do not speak English. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance within one year, in consultation with various entities, on best practices for telehealth services for people with limited English proficiency. The guidance will cover a variety of topics, including using interpreters during telemedicine appointments and providing accessible instructions on accessing telecommunications systems. The goal is to ensure that non-English speakers have equal access to telehealth services and healthcare information.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 620 East Pecan Boulevard in McAllen, Texas, as the "Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Post Office Building." It also mandates that all legal and official documents will refer to the facility by this new name.

The "Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act of 2025" ensures that U.S. Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers are paid during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2025. The bill appropriates the necessary funds to cover the salaries and expenses of these essential employees, guaranteeing they continue to receive paychecks even when the government is shut down.

The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act ensures that veterans' service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs is not considered when determining income eligibility for housing assistance programs. This change aims to make housing more accessible for disabled veterans. Additionally, the Act requires a report to Congress reviewing the impact of disability compensation on eligibility for HUD programs, identifying inconsistencies, and suggesting improvements to better assist veterans and underserved communities.

This bill condemns the Government of Mexico for its failure to meet its annual water delivery obligations to the United States, as stipulated in the treaty governing the use of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers, and the Rio Grande.

The "Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act" establishes a Southern Border Initiative within the Food Security Act of 1985. This initiative directs the Secretary to provide payments to agricultural producers in specific Texas counties along the southern border. These payments will support conservation practices aimed at repairing damage to agricultural land and infrastructure, addressing natural resource issues in the region with contracts lasting one year.

The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act requires a review of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program to assess its effectiveness, benefits, and burdens on cattle producers. The review will also look at treatment methods and fund allocation. Following the review, a report will be submitted to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees with recommendations for program improvements, particularly focusing on reducing compliance burdens for cattle producers.

The Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare a report for the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. This report will outline USDA programs and authorities available to support Texas agricultural producers facing economic losses because of Mexico's failure to deliver water as required by the 1944 Water Treaty. The report must be submitted within 180 days.

The "Honor Inauguration Day Act" mandates that the American flag be flown at its highest peak on each Presidential Inauguration Day. This act emphasizes the importance of elections and celebrating the peaceful transition of power. This requirement is to be upheld regardless of any conflicting laws.

The HUD Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to testify annually before Congress. This testimony will focus on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within HUD, as well as ways to improve the efficiency and accountability of HUD programs. The goal of this act is to increase transparency and oversight of HUD's operations.