CARES ACT IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Senator John Cornyn visited the RGV, meeting with local leaders and health officials to discuss the latest on COVID-19 response and relief efforts. 

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in the U.S., Senator Cornyn has been in constant contact and participated in several virtual conference calls with constituents in the Rio Grande Valley (listed below, Citation). Senator Cornyn supported passage of the federal CARES Act, ensuring millions in relief was allocated to the Rio Grande Valley. This funding supported efforts ranging from providing PPE to medical personnel and first responders; to creating medical surge capacity; to ensuring businesses stay afloat and staff remain employed thanks to the PPP.

Senator Cornyn also signed on to legislation that retroactively sends economic recovery checks authorized by the CARES Act to Texans in “mixed status families.” These households did not originally qualify for relief funds because one spouse is a foreign national and, therefore, does not have a Social Security Number. This legislation will ensure American citizens receive assistance for themselves and their children.   

During calls with business leaders in the last several months, the senator ensured a representative from the U.S. Small Business Association was on the line to help answer questions — in real time — about the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and other federal support for businesses. 

MARCH: 

  • Rio Grande Valley Partnership VTC

APRIL: 

  • Hidalgo County COVID-19 Daily Coordination Call

MAY: 

  • Joint Call with National Border Patrol Council Leadership, Texas Border Patrol Sector Council leaders, and Texas Union Border Patrol Agents
  • VTC with Texas Border Coalition
  • Cameron County’s COVID-19 Coordination Call
  • Statewide Faith-Based Teletown Hall (including faith leaders from the RGV)
  • Texas Hispanic Chambers of Commerce VTC (including chambers and members from the RGV)
  • Joint VTC with Border Trade Alliance, Borderplex Alliance, & South Texas Manufacturing Association
  • McAllen Chamber of Commerce VTCCall with South Texas Rural Counties, Small Cities, & Economic Development Councils

JUNE:

  • VTC with Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, City of Brownsville, Port of Brownsville, and Brownsville EDC

JULY:

  • Two Calls with Hidalgo County Judge Cortez
  • Call with RGV hospital leadership

WHAT THEY’VE SAID: 

KVEO: Senator Cornyn hosts COVID-19 call with Rio Grande Valley Partnership members

Texas Border Business: Cornyn: RGV Schools to Receive $58M in Federal Grants for Coronavirus Response

KRGV: Rio Grande Valley awarded $13.8 million to improve transit in Harlingen, McAllen amid pandemic

KVEO: Rio Grande Valley airports to receive $26M in relief funds

Lower RGV News: Cornyn, Cruz, South Texas Congressmen Call for HHS Field Hospital and More Resources in RGV