Representative Tony Gonzales | Official U.S. House headshot
Representative Tony Gonzales | Official U.S. House headshot
Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted for the final passage of three Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Gonzales played a significant role in crafting H.R. 8774, the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025; H.R. 8752, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025; and H.R. 8771, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, we are tasked with crafting policies that determine how our tax dollars will be spent," said Congressman Gonzales. "I worked alongside Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee to carefully craft three pieces of legislation that put South and West Texas at the top of the list. These bills contain strong policies that will strengthen border security measures, bolster America’s military readiness, support our veterans and servicemembers in South and West Texas, and hold Mexico accountable for its water debts. By cutting funding for President Biden’s far-left tax and spend wish list, we reallocated funding to programs and services that will put our country back on the right track.”
Key wins secured by Congressman Gonzales in H.R. 8774 include:
- Funding for training and recruitment efforts associated with Lackland Air Force Base.
- $6.5 million for Air Force PACER FORGE Infrastructure at Lackland Air Force Base.
- $15 million for Air Force vertical integration of scramjet supply chain.
- $10 million increase for Air Force AFWERX Autonomy Prime.
- $15 million increase in funding to bolster STEM Education for Hispanic Serving Research Institutions such as The University of Texas at El Paso.
- $80.13 million included for United States Special Operations Command Counter Unmanned Systems.
- Supports funding for Air Force Specialized Skill training.
- $13.4 million for Air Force operational additive manufacturing capabilities.
- $5 million for Space Force cislunar space domain awareness.
- $15 million increase for small Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs).
- $674 million for counternarcotics support.
In H.R. 8752, key wins include:
- Maintaining funding for 22,000 Border Patrol Agents.
- $90 million allocated to Operation Stonegarden.
- $60 million to hire additional Deportation Officers and Criminal Investigators.
- Language directing DHS to report on immigration case dismissals due to failure to prosecute.
- Language rejecting catch-and-release policies while prioritizing detention and removal by ICE.
Border technology investments comprise:
- $300 million for new border security technology
- Various allocations including:
- $15 million each for counter-drones/small drones and land mobile radios/enhanced communications
- $171.4 million to sustain current border security technology
- Additional funds totaling over half a billion dollars across several technologies
For CBP workforce/mental health:
- Allocations include:
- $160 million for Border Patrol overtime
- Restoration of pay cuts totaling nearly $141 million
- Additional funds focused on workforce care/suicide prevention
In H.R. 8771:
- Funding includes:
- $175 million dedicated to countering fentanyl/synthetic drugs
- Policies prohibiting facilitation of illegal immigration toward U.S.-Mexico border
- Measures aimed at improving dam safety/repairs like Amistad Dam
- Holding Mexico accountable under the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty
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