WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC), led a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson urging leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives to support a budget that reins in wasteful spending and delivers on President Trump’s agenda, without slashing critical programs that would devastate millions of Americans. 

 

The following members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined Chairman Gonzales on the letter, Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), CHC Vice Chair of Communications, Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), CHC Vice Chair of Policy, Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), CHC Vice Chair of Member Services, David Valadao (CA-22), CHC member, James Moylan (GU-AL), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Kimberlyn King-Hinds (CNMI-AL).  

 

The full letter penned by Congressman Gonzales can be found here and below:

 

Dear Speaker Johnson, 

 

As Members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, and those who represent sizeable Hispanic populations, we are writing to express our concerns regarding possible funding decisions stemming from the House Budget Resolution’s committee instructions advanced on February 13, 2025. While we fully support efforts to rein in wasteful spending and deliver on President Trump’s agenda, it is imperative that we do not slash programs that support American communities across our nation, nor underfund critical programs necessary to secure the border and keep our communities safe.

 

Founded in 2003, the Congressional Hispanic Conference is the only Member organization of Hispanic Republicans in Congress and is committed to ensuring that the Republican party welcomes all who believe in faith, family, and the American Dream. Hispanic Americans played a decisive role in securing a Republican majority in 2025, having helped flip key districts, delivered historic gains in border communities, and put their faith in our party to fight for them. That trust wasn’t given—it was earned. 

 

Moreover, the American people—as a whole—put their trust in us. People of all backgrounds cast a vote of confidence for our party. That is why we are eager to deliver on President Trump’s historic mandate.

 

We support the highest possible funding for border security to achieve the long-term border security agenda items by President Trump that we fully support. Collectively our members represent over half of the southern border and it is our constituents who have felt the brunt of the border crisis. We must fully fund and support efforts to:

 

• Complete the border wall, hire and retain border security personnel, and invest in border security technology. 
• Increase ICE detention capacity, end catch-and-release policies, and enforce immigration law.
• Integrate and improve communications systems, as well as provide resources for rural sheriffs, police departments, and state and federal law enforcement agencies affected by the border crisis.

 

We also fully stand behind efforts to:

 

• Reauthorize the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to protect the Child Tax Credit, defend small businesses, and prevent reckless taxation.

 

As we consider reconciliation cuts, we must be strategic. We need to uphold fiscal responsibility while ensuring that essential programs—programs that have empowered Americans to succeed—are not caught in the crossfire.

 

The House Budget Resolution proposed $880 billion in cuts to programs under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, with Medicaid expected to bear the brunt of these reductions. Nearly 30% of Medicaid enrollees are Hispanic Americans, and for many families across the country, Medicaid is their only access to healthcare. Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open. Moreover, the possibility of cutting Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding threatens hospitals that serve low-income and uninsured patients.

 

Additionally, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce has been tasked with cutting $330 billion, where federal aid for higher education—such as Pell Grants—may be a target for reductions. Hispanic students make up a significant share of Pell Grant recipients, many of whom are first-generation college students striving for a better future for themselves,

their families, and our nation. In the 2015-16 academic year alone, 82% of full-time Latino students relied on grants and loans, including Pell Grants, to afford college. If we are serious about empowering the next generation and strengthening our workforce, we must facilitate, and not undermine, opportunities that help students succeed.

 

Finally, the House Committee on Agriculture has been directed to cut $230 billion. While we fully support efforts to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, we must ensure that assistance programs—such as SNAP—remain protected as nearly 22% of Hispanic families rely on this critical program as a temporary safety net during difficult times. Not to mention the support that SNAP provides to families of all backgrounds across our nation.

 

Hispanic Americans stood with us because we stood up for them on the issues that matter: border security, economic opportunity, and a government that works for the people, not against them. 

 

We look forward to working with you and our colleagues on a responsible approach to these budget discussions where we can both eliminate government waste while ensuring we do not undermine programs that support working-class Americans. Hispanic Americans are the future of the Republican Party, and they are closely watching to see if we will govern in a way that honors their values and delivers results.

 

Sincerely,

 

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