Representative Monica De La Cruz

I'm hosting a telephone town hall event on Tuesday, June 24th, at 6:30 p.m. CT to provide an update on my work for Texans and to answer questions on the issues that matter to you and your neighbors.

Would you like to receive a call to participate in next week's telephone town hall?

In Case You Missed It

If we don't take action now, the New World Screwworm will devastate Texas livestock and wildlife. It was great to join USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins this week to announce $8.5 million to establish a sterile fly facility in Hidalgo County to stop the spread of the New World Screwworm! Watch the announcement of the new facility...

Get Help With the Federal Government

Norayma Garcia of Mission contacted my district team to help with her passport due to date discrepancies on her birth certificate. After years of delay, my team helped her secure her updated passport quickly! Our district offices are always here to help. If you're having trouble with a federal agency, please call us at (956) 800-6069 or visit delacruz.house.gov/casework.

Flood and Storm Assistance

Following my advocacy, President Donald Trump declared the March floods that ravaged Hidalgo County a major disaster and unlocked federal resources for South Texans.

Additional Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), FEMA, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Recovery Centers are now open in Hidalgo County to help with applications and connect with disaster-related resources in person - no appointment needed. If you need help, stop by one of the locations daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m:

For more assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362.

Las Palmas Community Center (1921 N. 25th St. McAllen)
Pharr Development & Research Center (850 W. Dicker Rd, Pharr)

What to Expect After Applying for Assistance

Click HERE to find out what to expect after applying for FEMA assistance.
Find out more about the home inspections by clicking HERE.

Around the District

Jim Wells, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties

My team will host staff mobile office hours in Wilson County on June 23rd and Live Oak County on June 30th. If you need help with a federal agency, please visit my team at this event or call us at (956) 800-6069 in McAllen or (830) 463-0800 in Seguin. You can also visit us at delacruz.house.gov/casework.

Jim Wells County

June 23rd from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Alice City Hall

500 East Main Street

Wilson County
June 23rd from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sam Fore Jr. Wilson County Public Library
1103 4th Street, Floresville

Live Oak County

June 30th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Three Rivers Library

102 Leroy St

June 30th from 2 to 3 p.m.

George West Library

402 Houston St

Hidalgo County

We had a great ride along with Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Cattle Fever Tick Cowboys! This team of dedicated inspectors patrols the U.S.-Mexico border to stop the spread of cattle fever ticks and New World Screwworm. Thank you for your tireless work to protect our livestock and communities!

My team attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Nuestra Clinica Del Valle facility in Alton. This new clinic is a big step forward in expanding access to quality healthcare for families in the area. I’ll continue working to support local efforts strengthen our communities and improve lives across South Texas.

Edinburg continues to grow, especially around the new UTRGV football stadium. My office was on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Sonic restaurant — a great addition to the city’s expanding business community. I’m excited to see more local investment and job creation taking root in South Texas.

Following the recent runoff elections, Sylvia Castillo was sworn in as the new mayor of Sullivan City. My office was proud to attend the ceremony and support this next chapter of leadership. I look forward to working together to serve the people of South Texas.

Brooks County

After 35 years of shaping young lives on and off the field, Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Arturo Garcia is retiring from Brooks County ISD. His impact as a mentor, role model, and leader has left a lasting mark on generations of student-athletes across South Texas. Congratulations, Coach Garcia, on a remarkable career. I wish you all the best in your next chapter — you’ve made your community proud. (Photo/Info Courtesy: Brooks County ISD Facebook Page)

Guadalupe County

After 33 years of dedicated service, Aaron Krause is retiring as Golf Professional at Starcke Park Golf Course. The City of Seguin honored him with a special plaque during this week’s council meeting, recognizing his impact on the community and local golfers. Congratulations, Aaron, and best wishes for a well-deserved retirement! (Photo/Info Courtesy: City of Seguin Facebook Page)

Karnes County

The Karnes County Sheriff's Office recently teamed up with Karnes City ISD’s STEM Camp for a hands-on lesson in criminal investigations. Students worked through a mock crime scene — collecting evidence, identifying a suspect, and even “solving” the case. It’s great to see law enforcement connecting with students and sparking interest in public safety careers. (Photo/Info Courtesy: Karnes County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page)

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Traveling out of country this summer? Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive critical information in your country of destination. While we all hope for the best when traveling, emergencies such as natural disasters or security incidents can happen. View the travel checklist. And remember, the best way to get direct information from the U.S. Embassy is by enrolling in STEP. Click here to sign up as a guest, the fastest enrollment option before you travel...

COPS Grants and COPS Hiring Program

School Violence Prevention

The 2025 COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program is a competitive program that provides funding directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies to be used to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee. Up to $73 million is available for this program.

Applications are due by June 26, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 School Violence Prevention Program.

COPS Hiring Program

The 2025 COPS Hiring Program is a competitive grant program designed to provide funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire existing career law enforcement officers and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. All local, state, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply. Up to $156 million is available for this program.

Applications are due by July 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2025 COPS Hiring Program.

Join the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge!

The Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge is officially underway! Now through September 5, kids in grades K–8 can participate by reading 12 books, filling out a reading log, and submitting it for a prize and a chance to win a special trip to our Nation’s Capital! Get started today by downloading the materials at wh.gov/read. Let’s make it a summer full of reading and discovery!

Legislative Update

This week, I co-sponsored H.R. 3965, the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and LOVE (PEARL) Act.