Cuellar: I am ready to help Brownsville secure funding for its desalination plant, if needed

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar says he stands ready to help the City of Brownsville secure federal funding for its big desalination project.

Cuellar does not represent Brownsville in Congress but is willing to help if needed.

The Laredo-based congressman is the only Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. His offer to help Brownsville came about following a press conference to announce. $9.4 million in federal funding to help Union Water Supply Corporation in Rio Grande City find other sources of water besides that from the Rio Grande River. The funding came from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

This reporter told Cuellar that Brownsville is looking for financial assistance from the Bureau of Reclamation for its desal operation. Indeed, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., visited the agency during the RGV-to-DC trip hosted a few months ago by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.

In his interview with Ron Whitlock Reports, thanked the Bureau for its investment in Starr County. Usually, he said, funding for water projects comes from the Department of Agriculture.

“First, to the Bureau, I want to say thank you so much. Usually, the dollars that we get is from the US Agricultural Department. This is from the Department of Interior (which governs the Bureau of Reclamation). Almost $10 million, about 9.4 plus million dollars that will find a second source of water (for Union Water Supply Corporation),” Cuellar said.

“This project was made possible by funding from the Bureau of Land Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program. The aim is to increase drought resiliency in Starr County.”

Cuellar said the South Texas border region relies so much on the Rio Grande.

“But we know every year what happens. It’s getting tougher and tougher. Due to population growth, both sides of the river are going a drought situation that we’re seeing, and we see this fight between the US and Mexico,” Cuellar said.

“And then we see a pull and tug between municipal needs and agricultural needs down here in this area. So, this secondary source of funding, a watershed, is going to be important because they will find a ground well, to find a second source of water, which will be important to almost the 7,000 residents served by the Union Water Supply Corporation.”

This reporter then explained the City of Brownsville’s efforts to get funding from the Bureau of Reclamation for its desalination plant. Asked if he had any advice for Mayor Cowen or U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, who represents Brownsville, Cuellar said:

“Well, as you know, Vicente works very hard for Brownsville. If there is anything I can do on the appropriations committee, I certainly want to work with Brownsville. As you know, there are different rounds of funding. if you don’t get it on the first round you can get it on the second round, and so on. So, again, I look forward to working with them in any way they want me to work with them.”

This reporter pointed out to Cuellar that when he first entered Congress, his first appropriations money for the Rio Grande Valley went to the City of Harlingen, which he did not represent.

“You’ve got a very good memory, Ron,” Cuellar responded.

“So, you don’t care where the funding goes as long as it is in South Texas?” Cuellar was asked.

“Look, I’m the only Democrat in Texas or the surrounding area on the appropriations committee, so I take my job seriously. Anything that’s good for South Texas is good for the state of Texas. South Texas is growing very fast. And whether it’s money for infrastructure, water, education, we’re all part of South Texas. So, I certainly want to make sure we continue working together,” Cuellar said.

The most eastern part Cuellar’s Congressional District 28 used to include half of Hidalgo County. Now, it ends at the Starr County line.

“I miss Hidalgo County a lot. But I continue working with the mayor there (McAllen’s Javier Villalobos) and certainly with the (Hidalgo) County Judge, Richard Cortez. I just met with him not long ago. So, we’re all a team and we’re going to continue working together.”

The post Cuellar: I am ready to help Brownsville secure funding for its desalination plant, if needed appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.