US Rep. Al Green requests USPS establish customer service team to help people with package delays in Missouri City
United States Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) wrote a letter to USPS to ask them to establish a customer service team to help those who have experienced their packages being delayed at the Missouri City mail facility.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is running for Houston mayor
Jackson Lee enters a mayoral contest that is already well underway. The early frontrunner is state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and his competitors include Chris Hollins, the former Harris County clerk, and Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member.
Telephone Road Project: Mayor Turner introduces $21M RAISE grant for construction
The United States Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the City of Houston will receive $20.96 million in federal funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant program for the Telephone Road: Main Street Revitalization Project.
American Rescue Plan: Local officials to address how $1.9T plan will impact Houston, Harris County
HOUSTON โ Local officials are slated to hold a news conference Friday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the passage of the American Rescue Plan and its direct impact on Houston, Harris County, and area school districts. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Texas Rep. Al Green (TX-09); U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, and other local officials are expected to attend the event. KPRC will broadcast a live stream of the event. Be sure to watch in the video player at the top of this article when the video becomes available.
AOC raises $3.2 million for Texas winter storm victims, volunteers at Houston food bank
Congresswomen from two different states came together Saturday to provide relief of Texans impacted by the winter storm. Representatives Sylvia Garcia and Shelia Jackson-Lee of Texas, along with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York joined forces Saturday morning. The elected officials met at the Houston Food Bank to pack boxes of meals and share their plan to help Texans hit hard by this weekโs deadly weather event. The New York congresswoman said 100% of the donations will be split among five to ten organizations, which includes the Houston Food Bank. The chosen organizations either provide food support, elder care, or shelter assistance.
More Texas Congressional leaders call for President Trumpโs ouster
HOUSTON โ Late Thursday a growing number of Texas Congressional leaders called for President Donald trumpโs ouster. The calls came despite President Trump denouncing the violence at the Capitol and promising a smooth transition of power in a pre-recorded message released Thursday evening. Democratic Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia announced she is co-sponsoring a resolution to impeach President Trump if Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet doesnโt invoke the 25th Amendment for his removal. However, newly elected Republican Congressman Troy Nehls, disagreed with his colleagues, saying President Trump will leave office on January 20th. โWeโre delighted that one of our very own, former Sheriff Troy Nehls was instrumental in helping many members,โ said Lee.
Houston activist Maria Jimenez dies at 70
HOUSTON โ Longtime Houston activist Maria Jimenez has died at the age 70. Jimenez was known for fighting for the rights of women, minorities and immigration reform in the Houston area. โDevastated at the passing of Maria Jimenez,โ Hidalgo tweeted. Rest in power.โDevastated at the passing of Maria Jimenez. โ Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) December 2, 2020Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia said she has known Jimenez since the 1970s and has been friends since.
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia pushes for stronger COVID-19 response
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D), received 71% of the vote in her re-election to represent the 29th Congressional District. โThey actually filed a lawsuit against the county judge for saying he wanted to shut down parts of his county," Garcia said, referring to State Attorney General Ken Paxtonโs successful effort to halt the shutdown of El Paso non-essential businesses. TxDOT is once again implementing its โClick it or Ticketโ campaign during the holiday season to get more Texans to buckle up. Law enforcement will be stepped up,โ said Deidrea George, TxDOT Public Information Officer for the Houston Region. More Information:U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia, (D), 29th Congressional Districtยท Website: https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/ยท Twitter: @RepSylviaGarciaDeidrea George, TxDOT Houston Division, Public Information Officerยท Website: https://bit.ly/3knNMORยท Twitter: @TxDotIngrid Robinson, President, Houston Minority Supplier Development Councilยท Contact: http://hmsdc.org/ยท Twitter: @HoustonMSDC
Texas Republicans, Democrats make last push to get voters to polls
HOUSTON โ Itโs a tale of two parties and a last-minute push to get voters out to the polls. It was set the direction of our country for years to come we need to get out and vote,โ Rep. Sylvia Garcia said. On Sunday, President Donald Trump supporters put on a big display with a parade that stretched across the 610 Loop. While they impede traffic and ruin Texans' Sundayโs, the Joe Biden campaign and theTexas Democratic Party are calling and texting undecided voters, canvassing, and meeting voters where they are. โThe polls early this morning came out and showed that some of the swing states New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania.
โSafe Walk Homeโ Northside program returns as HISD students go back to in-person learning
HOUSTON โ As HISDโs schools begin their in-person school year Monday, โSafe Walk Homeโ Northside continues its mission of making the community safe for students who walk to and from school. The program started in 2017, nearly a year after an 11-year-old student named Josue Flores was tragically stabbed to death on May 17, 2016. Leaders and community members will welcome students as they arrive at school Monday. โSafe Walk Homeโ Northside will include Congressmember Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressmember Sylvia Garcia, Senator Carol Alvarado, Commissioner Adrian Garcia, HISD Trustee Elizabeth Santos and representatives from HISD PD, Metro PD, Pct 6 Constable and HPD, as they kick off the first day of in-person school for Marshall Middle School and other HISD campuses with a focus on student and community safety.
โWinning Texas is possibleโ: Jill Biden rallies supporters in Houston on first day of early voting
A poll by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune published last week found that President Donald Trump holds a five-point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden. Jill Biden, former second lady and wife of the former vice president, stumped in El Paso, Dallas and Houston on Tuesday -- the first day of early voting in Texas. At the drive-in rally in Houston, supporters used their horns to cheer on Jill Biden as she talked about her husbandโs vision for America and the importance of their votes. โFor the first time in a long time, winning Texas is possible,โ Jill Biden said. Early voting runs until Oct. 30.
Vanessa Guillen death a #MeToo moment for the military? Congresswomen continue to call for full investigation, change
HOUSTON โ Three congresswomen continued to call for a full investigation into the death of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen and changes to military culture in a news conference on Tuesday in Washington. This can never happen again.โGuillenโs death has been called a #MeToo moment for the military. The 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier, investigators say. We know that at least one in four women veterans has experienced sexual harassment and assault. That is far, far too many, but I have to say that this statistic alone, it is staggering.
US Rep. Sylvia Garcia to speak about search for missing Fort Hood soldier
FORT HOOD, Texas U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) is expected to speak Tuesday about the search for a missing Fort Hood soldier who is from Houston. Garcia has scheduled a news conference about the disappearance of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen sometime after she meets with officials at Fort Hood. Last week, officials said they were launching an investigation into allegations that Guillen was sexually harassed before her disappearance. Garcias news conference was tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Click2Houston.com plans to offer a livestream of the event.
U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Joaquin Castro call on ICE to release migrants in immigration detention centers as coronavirus cases surge
The South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas. Across the nation, detention centers have become hotspots for the coronavirus, putting immigrant families and ICE officers at risk of contracting the virus. In early May, the immigration detention center was linked to more than 90% of Frio Countys confirmed COVID-19 cases. One of the detention centers has a rapid COVID-19 testing machine, but its constantly passed around between centers, Castro said. Garcia said shes not convinced recommended health protocols are being followed within the detention centers, though ICE employees told her they were.
Reward increased to $50K in search for Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen; Rep. Garcia says shes working with family
HOUSTON Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia hosted a virtual press conference with the family of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen, the Fort Hood soldier who has been missing for almost two months. My office has been working directly with Vanessas family as we do everything in our power to find Vanessa, Garcia said. Garcia said Guillens family told her that Vanessa Guillen did not feel safe on base and the Congresswoman mentioned the issues Fort Hood has had with sexual assaults. Guillen's family has been desperate for news of Vanessa who they say has big plans for her life. She has a lot of people who are really affected by everything thats going on, said Mayra Guillen, Vanessas sister.
Houston Newsmakers: A talk with U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia
Shortly after sitting down for Houston Newsmakers, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia announced she was self quarantining after coming in contact with a family member who had tested positive for COVID-19. Prior to that announcement she talked about a number of topics including the pending Justice in Policing bill. Senate Republicans say it is dead on arrival but Congresswoman Sylvia Gracia,(D) 29th, says its only a matter of time. Then we looked at it and then we worked together and tweaked it and frankly I think we made it better! More with Congressman Garcia on Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and on Newsmakers EXTRA, which you can watch below. WATCH: Newsmakers EXTRA with U.S. Rep. Sylvia GarciaUrban League President says racial disparity trends don't match data (KPRC)Urban League focus on racial disparityIn the wake of protests across the country and the world against racial injustice, the Houston Area Urban League president & CEO says the trend does not match the data.
Waiting for your stimulus check? Here are a few things that might help you get it faster
But there are qualified people still waiting for their stimulus money. According to Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Bill Spencer, here are four things you can do that might help you get your stimulus money faster:Sign up for the stimulus programIf you havenโt already, go to the IRS payment portal and see if you qualify for a payment. Make sure you use direct depositIf you have a bank account, make sure you choose direct deposit for your payment. Youโre more likely to get your money faster than having a check sent in the mail. 2nd District - Rep. Dan Crenshaw7th District - Rep. Lizzie Fletcher8th District - Rep. Kevin Brady9th District - Rep. Al Green10th District - Rep. Mike McCaul14th District - Rep. Randy Weber18th District - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee22nd District - Rep. Pete Olson29th District - Rep. Sylvia Garcia36th District - Rep. Brian Babin
Lawmakers, Texans call for testing, transparency as COVID-19 threatens Texas nursing homes
Nursing homes are not required to publicly disclose this information. Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees these facilities, will only release raw numbers โ 381 nursing homes and assisted living facilities are reporting COVID-19 cases. We reached out to nursing homes across Texas and filled in some of the blanks with reports from our NBC affiliates in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Charles Brown is an attorney who specializes in holding negligent nursing homes accountable, but he is pledging not to take and COVID-19 related cases. โWeโve got to have the highest level of medical care which includes testing and reporting the data to know how we continue to handle nursing homes,โ Jackson said.
Mayor Turner, Houston officials announce opening of new COVID-19 testing site for high-risk populations
HOUSTON โ Mayor Turner announced a new Houston COVID-19 testing site Monday that he said will be close to neighborhoods with vulnerable populations considered at high risk for severe illness from the virus. The United Memorial Medical Center testing site will be located at Barnett Sports Complex, which is at 6800 Fairway. Mayor Turner said the testing site is for people with and without symptoms. UMMC is working with the Houston Health Department to target resources where they are most needed. โTheyโre working every day, hard every day, but they may not be able to afford healthcare,โ Turner said.
US Representative Sylvia Garcia honored retired KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza last week
HOUSTON โ Bill Balleza was honored last week by U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) during a session in Congress. Garcia took the stage and began by recognizing Balleza for his 49 years of service as a pioneer anchor, journalist, and Vietnam war veteran. โBill has been seen on TV screens across the city for decades, where he reported on thousands of stories,โ she said. Rep. Garcia emphasized that he was a common sight at Houstonโs Veteranโs Day celebrations and parade every year. He served in the Vietnam War prior to becoming a journalist.
Impeachment in the rear view mirror: Partisan politics to continue?
U.S. Rep Garcia: Impeachment was the right thing to doIt is the height of the political season with political opposites entrenched in their own ideology. Many polls show that Americans were split in their opinions about the impeachment of President Trump. But Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, (D) 29th, says she has no regrets about her role as one of the impeachment managers bringing the case against President Trump during the Senate trial. This year the focus will be on โThe Empowerment of the Black Womanโ with special guests, actors Lynn Whitfield and Robin Givens. โ Theyโre going to speak on their behalf about the empowerment of African American women as it relates to entertainment.
US Rep. Sylvia Garcia speaks about being named an impeachment manager
HOUSTON โ U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston spoke Friday about her role as an impeachment manager. The Democrat was named this week to the team of seven House members who will be responsible for the prosecution of President Donald Trump during his impeachment trial in the Senate. Garcia said she takes her duty very seriously and was honored to be picked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. โWe had a very strong case that led to impeachment, and remember, impeachment is forever; itโs done,โ said Garcia. Garcia said she will fly to Washington, D.C. Sunday to meet with the other impeachment managers.
Ask 2: Why donโt all Texas school buses have seat belts?
The question: Why donโt all Texas School buses have seatbelts? Despite the school bus seat belt law, many Texas school buses remain belt-less. Thatโs because the legislation requires three-point seat belts on all buses that are model year 2018 or later. The law does not require Texas school districts to retrofit older busses with seat belts and allows school districts to opt out of the three-point seat belt requirement if a school board determines that its budget does not permit the district to purchase a bus that is equipped with seat belts. 420 buses had lap belts and 173 were outfitted with three-point safety belts.