Vicente Gonzalez (34)

Vicente Gonzalez, born on September 4, 1967, in Corpus Christi, Texas, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, currently serving Texas's 34th congressional district. Raised in a military family, Gonzalez's father was a merchant seaman and Korean War veteran, and his mother was born and raised in Mexico. After earning his GED in 1985, he pursued higher education and later established a successful law practice. Gonzalez is married to Lorena Saenz Gonzalez, a former teacher and school administrator, and they reside in McAllen, Texas.

Education

• Associate's Degree: Banking and Finance, Del Mar College, 1990
• Bachelor's Degree: Business Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1992
• Juris Doctor: Texas Wesleyan University School of Law , 1996

Political Experience

• U.S. Representative, Texas's 15th Congressional District: 2017–2023
• U.S. Representative, Texas's 34th Congressional District: 2023–present

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Committee Assignments:
  • House Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets
  • Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
• Caucus Memberships:
  • Co-Chair, Blue Dog Coalition
  • Member, New Democrat Coalition
  • Member, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Legislative Initiatives:
  • Introduced the Repatriate Our Patriots Act to allow deported U.S. military veterans to return to the United States.
  • Advocated for agricultural research and trade assistance, securing over $156 million in funding for South Texas agriculture.
  • Supported affordable healthcare initiatives, contributing to over $303 million in federal funds for health care research and assistance in South Texas.

Gonzalez is recognized for his bipartisan approach and commitment to the economic development and well-being of his constituents in South Texas.