Legislative Activity

The Bracero Program 2.0 Act aims to modernize the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program by streamlining employer processes through a new online portal and setting a guaranteed minimum wage plus $\$2.00$ per hour for workers. It also establishes a six-year pilot program allowing certain returning H-2A workers to move between approved farms within the same state for greater job flexibility. Finally, the bill expands H-2A eligibility to include greenhouse and indoor farm workers and mandates several oversight reports by the GAO.

The New World Screwworm Preparedness Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study on the United States' readiness to combat the reintroduction of the New World screwworm, a devastating parasite of warm-blooded animals. This study, led by the Secretary of Agriculture, must assess current threat levels, sterile fly production capacity, surveillance systems, and emergency response plans. The resulting report will provide Congress with critical recommendations to strengthen national preparedness against this costly agricultural and wildlife pest.

This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Sergeant Alfredo 'Freddy' Gonzalez for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War. The medal will be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and ultimately presented to the Museum of South Texas History for permanent display. The Act also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with all proceeds returning to the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Healthy Babies Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the WIC program to update regulations within one year to include "infant food combinations and dinners" as eligible supplemental foods. This change expands the variety of prepared food options available to infants participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

The Selena Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue special $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins honoring the late Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla. These collector coins, which must feature her image, will be available for sale only during the calendar year 2029. All surcharges collected from the sales will be directed to the Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History to support its operations, including a Selena exhibit. The Treasury must ensure the program fully covers all production and issuance costs before any surcharge funds are distributed.

This resolution expresses strong support for diplomatic efforts to ensure Mexico fulfills its annual water delivery obligations to the United States under the 1944 treaty concerning the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers. It highlights the negative impact of Mexico's current practice of delaying deliveries until the end of five-year cycles, which causes shortages for South Texas farmers. The bill encourages the Administration to secure timely deliveries and pursue new agreements for a guaranteed minimum annual water transfer.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the addition of a disclaimer on standard mortgage applications, informing applicants who indicate military service that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan. This ensures veterans and service members are immediately directed to explore their VA loan eligibility when applying for a mortgage. The bill also requires the GAO to study the effectiveness of this new disclaimer requirement among lenders.

The SPEAK Act of 2025 directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue updated guidance on ensuring meaningful language access during telehealth services. This guidance must establish best practices for incorporating interpreters, improving access to technology, and providing multilingual patient materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. The goal is to ensure equitable care delivery across virtual health platforms.

This bill officially 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." The legislation ensures that all official records and documents reflect this new memorial name for the building.

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.

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 Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to identify and report on federal programs available to support Texas farmers who have suffered economic losses due to Mexico’s failure to meet water delivery obligations under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty. This report must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

The Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act establishes a federal initiative to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers in specific Texas border counties. This program funds the implementation of conservation practices designed to repair damage to land and farming infrastructure caused by border-related activity.

The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to commission an independent review of the current program aimed at preventing tick-borne illnesses in cattle. This review will evaluate the program's effectiveness, funding, and impact on producers to identify potential improvements. The findings and recommendations will be submitted to Congress to help streamline operations and reduce the compliance burden on the cattle industry.

The Honor Inauguration Day Act mandates that the United States flag be flown at full staff on every presidential Inauguration Day. This legislation ensures that the flag remains at its highest peak to celebrate the democratic process and the expression of the people's will, regardless of any conflicting display regulations.