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EDINBURG, RGV - U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez says before violence erupted in northern Mexico, Mexican nationals would deposit hundreds of millions of dollars in Rio Grande Valley banks.

Because of the violence, these individuals are now flying over the Valley to places like San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. As a result, investment by Mexican nationals in Valley banks is down and their second homes on South Padre Island are being sold.

Gonzalez says improving security in Tamaulipas is a prerequisite to bringing those Mexican nationals back to the Valley. One of the key requirements, the McAllen Democrat argues, is restoring security along Highway 40, the interstate that runs from Monterrey to Reynosa. Indeed, Gonzalez says his vote on ratifying the are United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement in Congress is tied to improving security on Hwy 40.

Gonzalez made his views known when he spoke at a recent luncheon hosted by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. The event was held at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance and the moderator for the conversation was UT-Rio Grande Valley Vice President Veronica Gonzales.

In addition to border security, Gonzalez spoke about tariffs, taxes, gun control, and the 2020 Census.

Click on the link above to hear the congressman\\u2019s remarks, which were recorded by Ron Whitlock of Ron Whitlock Reports.\\xa0

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