Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Henry Cuellar

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|American politician & attorney (born 1955)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Henry Cuellar
| image               = Henry Cuellar, official portrait.jpg
| state               = [[Texas]]
| district            = {{ushr|TX|28|28th}}
| term_start          = January 3, 2005
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Ciro Rodriguez]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = 102nd [[Secretary of State of Texas]]
| governor1           = [[Rick Perry]]
| term_start1         = January 2, 2001
| term_end1           = October 5, 2001
| predecessor1        = [[Elton Bomer]]
| successor1          = [[Geoff Connor]] (acting)
| office2             = Member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]]
| term_start2         = January 13, 1987
| term_end2           = January 2, 2001
| predecessor2        = W. N. Hall
| successor2          = [[Richard Raymond (Texas politician)|Richard Raymond]]
| constituency2       = [[Texas's 43rd House of Representatives district|43rd district]] (1987–1993)<br>[[Texas's 42nd House of Representatives district|42nd district]] (1993–2001)
| birth_name          = Enrique Roberto Cuellar
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1955|9|19}}
| birth_place         = [[Laredo, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse              = Imelda Cuellar
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Laredo Community College]] ([[Associate of arts|AA]])<br>[[Georgetown University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BSFS]])<br>[[University of Texas at Austin]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])<br>[[Texas A&M International University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[Naval War College]]
| website             = {{URL|cuellar.house.gov|House website}}
| module              = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Rep. Henry Cuellar Speaks in Support of H.R.2137, the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act.ogg|title=Henry Cuellar's voice|type=speech|description=Henry Cuellar speaks in support of H.R.2137, the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act<br/>Recorded October 27, 2021}}
}}
'''Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar'''<ref name="Leg Ref Library profile">{{cite web |title=Legislators and Leaders {{!}} Member profile |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=111&searchparams=chamber=H~city=~countyID=0~RcountyID=~district=43~first=~gender=~last=~leaderNote=~leg=~party=~roleDesc=~Committee= |website=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |access-date=December 24, 2019}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|eɪ|.|ɑː|r}} {{respell|KWAY|ar}}; born September 19, 1955)<ref name="Congress Directory">{{cite web |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/c001063 |title=Cuellar, Henry, (1955–) |publisher=Biographical directory of the United States Congress |access-date=June 9, 2016}}</ref> is an American attorney and politician serving as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|TX|28}} since 2005. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. His district extends from the [[Rio Grande]] to [[San Antonio]]'s suburbs.

Cuellar served in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] for 14 years, from 1987 to 2001, and briefly served as the [[Texas Secretary of State]] in 2001, making him, as of 2024, the most recent Democrat to have held a statewide office in Texas.

Cuellar was first elected to Congress in [[2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas|2004]], after defeating incumbent [[Ciro Rodriguez]] in a primary challenge. He is considered a leading centrist within the [[House Democratic Caucus]].<ref name="Politico 2020-03-04" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mutnick |first=Ally |date=March 4, 2020 |title=Cuellar edges out liberal challenger in Texas, and other Super Tuesday House results |website=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/04/henry-cuellar-defeats-primary-challenger-120954 |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref><!-- Despite [[WP:CITELEAD]], please don't delete these sources as they are needed to verify both statements.--> He has since been comfortably reelected in every general election while surviving a number of competitive primary races, most notably in 2020 and 2022.<ref name="recount" />

==Early life and education==
Cuellar was born in Laredo, the [[county seat]] of [[Webb County, Texas|Webb County]] in [[South Texas]], where he has resided most of his life. Both of his parents were [[Mexican Americans|Mexican American]].

His father, Martin Siller Cuellar Sr. (1926–2019), was born in [[Tamaulipas]], [[Mexico]] and immigrated to the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/martin-siller-cuellar-sr-obituary?pid=192357366 |title=Martin Siller Cuellar, Sr. |website=[[Legacy.com]] |date=April 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Obituary: Martin Siller Cuellar, Sr. |url=https://www.chron.com/obituaries/article/MARTIN-SILLER-CUELLAR-SR-13767338.php |website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> His mother was the former Odilia Perez (1928–2015), a native of [[Zapata, Texas|Zapata]], Texas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/obituaries/article/Odilia-P-Cuellar-10016394.php |title=Odilia P. Cuellar |newspaper=[[Laredo Morning Times]] |date=December 15, 2019 |access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref>

Cuellar attended Buenos Aires Elementary School, where he became an avid reader and graduated in 1973 from [[J. W. Nixon High School]]. He received an [[Associate degree#United States|associate of arts]] degree from [[Laredo Community College]], then known as Laredo Junior College, where he would later teach courses in government.

He then attended the [[Walsh School of Foreign Service]] at [[Georgetown University]] and graduated ''[[cum laude]]'' with a Bachelor of Science in foreign service. He also earned a Master of Arts in [[International Trade|international trade]] from [[Texas A&M International University]], a [[juris doctor|Juris Doctor (JD)]] from the [[University of Texas School of Law]] and a [[PhD]] from the [[University of Texas at Austin]].<ref name="Cuellar Home Interview">{{Cite news |first=David |last=McCumber |title=From the House on the Hill: Congressman looks back at his life |newspaper=Laredo Morning Times |date=September 29, 2014 |pages=1, 7A}}</ref>

As of 2023, he is finishing a master's in defense and strategic studies from [[Naval War College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2023/05/12/biden-blasted-over-border-blunder-00096622 |title=Playbook: Biden blasted over border blunder |website=[[Politico]] |date=May 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Caldwell |first1=Leigh Ann |last2=Meyer |first2=Theodoric |title=Analysis {{!}} Chance of a government shutdown grows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/22/chance-government-shutdown-grows/ |access-date=October 3, 2023 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 22, 2023}}</ref>

==Early career==
In 1981, Cuellar opened his own law firm in Laredo and became a licensed [[customs broker]] in 1983. From 1984 to 1986 he taught at [[Texas A&M International University]] as an [[adjunct professor]] of international commercial law.

===Texas House of Representatives===
Cuellar was a member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from 1987 to 2001, representing most of Laredo. During his 14 years as a state representative, he served in leadership positions on the House Appropriations, Higher Education, and Calendar committees. He also served on several national legislative committees dealing with state budgets, the U.S.–Mexico border and international trade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberdisplay.cfm?memberID=111 |title=Legislators and Leaders {{!}} Member profile |website=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |access-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref>

===Texas Secretary of State===
In 2001, Governor [[Rick Perry]] appointed Cuellar to be [[Secretary of State of Texas|secretary of state of Texas]]. He served in the office for just over nine months until his resignation, after which [[Geoff Connor]] held the position in an acting capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/mobile/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=111 |title=Texas Legislators: Past & Present |website=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |access-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, Cuellar is the last Democrat to have served in the role.

During his short time as Texas Secretary of State, Cuellar issued an opinion that, while not legally binding, argued that home-rule cities in the state of Texas could not adopt ranked-choice voting for their elections under the [[Constitution of Texas|Texas Constitution]]. That opinion has been the primary basis for the city of Austin ignoring the passage of the city's 2021 Proposition E, which would have adopted ranked-choice voting in Austin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-03 |title=Austin Voters Approved Ranked-Choice Voting. But Whether They'll Get To Use It Is Another Matter. |url=https://www.kut.org/austin/2021-05-03/ranked-choice-voting-proposition-e-austin-may-election-2021 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Henry |last=Cuellar |title=HC-1: "Instant runoff," "alternative voting," or "preferential voting." |url=https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/elo/hc1.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |date=July 23, 2001 |website=[[Secretary of State of Texas]]}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
===Elections===
====2002====
{{See also|2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 23}}
In 2002, Cuellar was the Democratic nominee for the House of Representatives in [[Texas's 23rd congressional district]]. He lost to five-term incumbent Republican [[Henry Bonilla]] 52%–47% in the closest race Bonilla had faced up to that point.

====2004====
{{See also|2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas}}
Cuellar spent much of early 2003 preparing for a rematch against Bonilla. However, [[2003 Texas redistricting|redistricting]] shifted most of Laredo, which had been the heart of the 23rd since its creation in 1966, into the [[Texas's 28th congressional district|28th district]], represented by [[Ciro Rodriguez]]. Cuellar challenged Rodriguez, a former friend, for the nomination winning by 58 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/CandidateProfile.aspx?ci=327&oi=H |work=USA Today |date=April 16, 2004 |title=Henry Roberto Cuellar (D) Challenger |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050915022643/http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/CandidateProfile.aspx?ci=327&oi=H |archive-date=September 15, 2005}}</ref>

''[[The Washington Post]]'' described the campaign as "nasty". The initial count gave Rodriguez a 145-vote lead, but after a recount Cuellar led by 58 votes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ed |last=O'Keefe |date=July 24, 2012 |title=Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/henry-cuellar-d-texas/gIQAHjjSAP_topic.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518114431/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/henry-cuellar-d-texas/gIQAHjjSAP_topic.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref> Cuellar's victory was one of only two primary upsets of incumbents from either party in the entire country.

The 28th district was far more Democratic than the 23rd making him heavily favored in the general election. In November, he defeated the Republican by a 20-point margin, becoming the first Laredoan in over 20 years elected to represent the 28th district.

Cuellar's election to the House in 2004 was a standout for Democrats in a year in which Republicans otherwise gained seats in Texas's House delegation.

====2006====
{{See also|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
On March 7, 2006, Cuellar again defeated Rodriguez in the Democratic primary with 52% of the vote in a three-way race. No Republican filed.

On June 29, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] ruled that the [[Texas Legislature]] had violated Latino voters' rights when it shifted most of Laredo out of the 23rd and replaced it with heavily Republican [[San Antonio]] suburbs.<ref>{{cite news |author=April Castro |date=June 29, 2006 |title=Redistrict Ruling May Affect Nov Election, Ruling That Congressional District in Texas Is Unconstitutional May Effect Nov Election |work=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/29/ap/politics/mainD8IHPP180.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005151900/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/29/ap/politics/mainD8IHPP180.shtml |archive-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> As a result, nearly every congressional district from [[El Paso]] to San Antonio had to be redrawn, and the primary results for these districts were invalidated. A court drew a new map in which all of Laredo was moved into the 28th district while the south San Antonio area was moved to the 23rd. An election open to all candidates with a [[two-round system|runoff]] if no candidate won 50% was scheduled for the date of the general election, November 7, 2006.

In the general election on November 7, 2006, Cuellar had no Republican opposition. He handily defeated Ron Avery of [[McQueeney, Texas|McQueeney]], the chairman of the conservative [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party]] in [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe County]], and Democrat Frank Enriquez, a [[McAllen, Texas|McAllen]] trial attorney, with nearly 68% of the vote.

====2008====
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar was unopposed in the Democratic primary on March 4, 2008. In the general election, he outran President [[Barack Obama]], winning nearly 70% of the vote to win reelection while the president won 56% in the district.<ref>[https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist141_state.htm "2008 General Election"]. ''elections.sos.state.tx.us''. Retrieved 2022-05-22.</ref>

====2010====
{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in 2010 and won reelection in the general election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist148_state.htm |title=Texas Republican primary election returns, March 2, 2010 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State}}</ref>

====2012====
{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar was opposed in the November 6 general election by Republican and Libertarian&nbsp;Party candidates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politics1.com/tx.htm|title=Texas |website=politics1.com|access-date=March 11, 2012}}</ref>

Guadalupe County, a Republican stronghold that usually opposed Cuellar for reelection, was removed from the reconfigured 28th district.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://seguingazette.com/news/article_ff39ae6c-6aea-11e1-8157-001871e3ce6c.html|title=On the Ballot: Filing finally closes for upcoming primary, March 10, 2012|newspaper=Seguin Gazette|access-date=March 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315174045/http://seguingazette.com/news/article_ff39ae6c-6aea-11e1-8157-001871e3ce6c.html|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Cuellar defeated the Republican, 112,262 votes (68%) to 49,095 votes (30%). Hisel took 2% of the vote, and a [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party]] candidate received the remaining 1%.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2012/|title=2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates |newspaper=Politico |access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov06_164_state.htm|title=Texas general election returns, November 6, 2012|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205022857/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov06_164_state.htm|archive-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref>

====2014====
{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced no Republican opposition in 2014.<ref name="Cuellar Home Interview" />

====2016====
{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar won a rematch in the March 1, 2016, Democratic primary with former Republican congressional candidate William R. Hayward, who switched parties to run again for the House. Cuellar received 49,962 votes (89.8%) to Hayward's 5,682 (10.2%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_233_state.htm?x=0&y=2456&id=904 |title=Democratic Primary returns |date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081855/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_233_state.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> Cuellar then defeated Republican Zeffen Patrick Hardin in the November 8 general election, 122,086 (66.2%) to 57,740 (31.3%). Green Party nominee Michael D. Cary received 4,616 votes (2.5%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm|title=General Election Results|date=November 8, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref>

====2018====
{{See also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
In 2018, Cuellar was unopposed in the Democratic primary. He won 84.4% (117,178 votes) in the general election.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Final-voting-results-from-the-November-2018-13371054.php |title=Final voting results from the November 2018 general and special elections in Webb County |newspaper=Laredo Morning Times |date=November 7, 2018 |access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>

====2020====
{{See also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
On January 11, 2019, the progressive organization [[Justice Democrats]], which supported U.S. Representative [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]]'s successful 2018 primary campaign in [[New York City]], announced that it was seeking a primary challenger against Cuellar in the Democratic primary scheduled for March 4, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/left-wing-group-creates-fund-to-oust-texas-democrat/2019/01/11/eceb3d94-15aa-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html?noredirect=on|title=Left-wing group creates fund to oust Texas Democrat from Congress|last=Weigel|first=David|date=January 11, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> On July 13, 2019, the [[Justice Democrats]] organization announced its support for [[Jessica Cisneros]], a 26-year-old immigration and human rights attorney from Laredo who had announced a primary campaign against Cuellar.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/13/18663332/justice-democrats-henry-cuellar-primary|title=Justice Democrats have a primary challenger for Rep. Henry Cuellar — their top target|last=Nilsen|first=Ella|date=June 13, 2019|website=Vox|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> Cuellar defeated Cisneros 51.8% to 48.2% in the primary.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/485776-henry-cuellar-fends-off-democratic-challenger-in-texas-house-primary |title=Henry Cuellar fends off Democratic challenger in Texas House primary |date=March 4, 2020 |newspaper=The Hill}}</ref> He won the general election in November with 58.3% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Sandra Whitten and Libertarian nominee Bekah Congdon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.texas-election.com/races|title=Texas Election Night Results}}</ref>

====2022====
{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 28}}
Cuellar finished first with a plurality in the Democratic primary, tallying 23,552 votes, 48.4%, over Cisneros, who received 22,745 votes, 46.9%. Cuellar and Cisneros qualified for the May runoff while a third candidate, Tannya Benavides, was eliminated after getting 2,289 votes (4.7%).<ref name=NYT>[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/01/us/elections/results-texas-us-house-district-28.html Texas 28th Congressional District Primary Election Results], ''[[New York Times]]'', March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.</ref>

During the runoff, Cuellar faced renewed scrutiny over an incident in 2018 where he fired a pregnant staffer who had requested parental leave and subsequently suffered a miscarriage, and according to court documents, subsequently urged other staffers to help him discredit her.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=Anti-abortion Democrat fired pregnant staffer during third trimester |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/henry-cuellar-abortion-pregant-staffer-b2075163.html |access-date=May 15, 2022 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nowlin |first1=Sanford |title=Ahead of runoff, report says South Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar fired, tried to discredit pregnant staffer |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/ahead-of-runoff-report-says-south-texas-rep-henry-cuellar-fired-tried-to-discredit-pregnant-staffer-28856062 |access-date=May 15, 2022 |work=[[San Antonio Current]] |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ahead of runoff, report says South Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar fired, tried to discredit pregnant staffer |url=https://blackchronicle.com/ahead-of-runoff-report-says-south-texas-rep-henry-cuellar-fired-tried-to-discredit-pregnant-staffer-san-antonio-news-san-antonio/ |access-date=May 15, 2022 |work=[[Black Chronicle]] |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref>

On June 7, trailing by 281 votes in the runoff, Cisneros requested a recount to be conducted by the Texas Democratic Party.<ref name=recount>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/recount-texas-democratic-primary-house-jessica-cisneros-henry-cuellar/ Jessica Cisneros files for recount in race against Rep. Henry Cuellar in Texas' 28th District], ''[[CBS News]]'', Aaron Navarro, June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.</ref> Cuellar extended his lead to a 289-vote margin during the recount.<ref name="recount" /> The Associated Press called the race on June 21, 2022.<ref>Schonfeld, Zach. [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3531823-cuellar-narrowly-defeats-cisneros-in-texas-house-primary/ Cuellar narrowly defeats Cisneros in Texas House primary], ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'', June 21, 2022.</ref> Cuellar went on to easily win reelection against the Republican nominee.

==== 2024 ====
Cuellar, who has yet to draw any challenges for the 2024 election, has touted support from key party leaders; the endorsements were seen as a move to head off a primary challenge against him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |date=2023-08-03 |title=Henry Cuellar, a previous Democratic primary target, touts 2024 support from national party leaders |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/03/henry-cuellar-endorsements-house-democrats/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuels |first=Alexandra |date=2023-08-15 |title=Why the Democratic Establishment Has Rushed to Support Henry Cuellar |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/henry-cuellar-democrat-endorsements/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref>

Leaders endorsing him for 2024 included Democratic Leader [[Hakeem Jeffries]], Whip [[Katherine Clark]], and Democratic Caucus Chair [[Pete Aguilar]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Elkind |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-03 |title=Lone pro-life House Democrat gets endorsement from party leaders despite progressive fury |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lone-pro-life-house-democrat-gets-endorsement-from-party-leaders-despite-progressive-fury |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Former Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]], former Majority Leader [[Steny Hoyer]] and Assistant Democratic Leader [[Jim Clyburn]] also endorsed Cuellar.<ref name=":1" />

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]<ref>''Laredo Morning Times'', December 15, 2012, p. 3</ref>
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security|Subcommittee on Homeland Security]] (Ranking Member)
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense|Subcommittee on Defense]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies]]

===Caucus memberships===
* [[Blue Dog Coalition]]<ref name="Blue Dog members">{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members |access-date=February 7, 2018 |publisher=Blue Dog Coalition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |publisher=New Democrat Coalition}}</ref>
* [[New Democrat Coalition]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Members|url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=New Democrat Coalition|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Afterschool Caucuses]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Hispanic Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Members|url=https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Hispanic Caucus|access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515183838/https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|archive-date=May 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> (Co-chair)
*[[U.S.-Japan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

Cuellar has described himself as a "moderate-centrist" or [[conservative Democrat]].<ref name="Cuellar Home Interview" /> During the 117th Congress, he voted with the Democratic caucus 96.8% of the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Votes Against Party Majority by Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) (117th Congress) |date=August 12, 2015 |publisher=ProPublica |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/members/C001063/votes-against-party/117 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref>

During the Trump administration, Cuellar voted with the Democratic majority 87.9% of the time, while voting with Trump's stance 40.6% of the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Votes Against Party Majority by Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) (115th Congress) |date=August 12, 2015 |publisher=ProPublica |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/members/C001063/votes-against-party/115 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Votes Against Party Majority by Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) (116th Congress) |date=August 12, 2015 |publisher=ProPublica |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/members/C001063/votes-against-party/116 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump |date=January 30, 2017 |publisher=[[FiveThirtyEight]] |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/henry-cuellar/}}</ref> Cuellar was ranked the 6th-most bipartisan member of the House of Representatives in the first session of the [[117th United States Congress]] by the Lugar Center and [[McCourt School of Public Policy]].<ref>{{cite news |date= |title=The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index |publisher=The Lugar Center |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.thelugarcenter.org/assets/htmldocuments/117_BPI_House.pdf |access-date=Aug 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://texasborderbusiness.com/rep-cuellar-ranked-5th-most-bipartisan-member-in-congress/|title=Rep. Cuellar Ranked 5th Most Bipartisan Member in Congress|publisher=Texas Border Business|location=McAllen, Texas|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> He is one of two members belonging to the fiscally-conservative [[Blue Dog Democrat|Blue Dog Democratic Coalition]] in the Texas congressional delegation.<ref name="Blue Dog members" />

As of August 2023, Cuellar had voted in line with [[Joe Biden]]'s stated position 96% of the time.{{efn|The average member of the caucus voted with the majority on 96.6% of occasions.}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |date=2021-04-22 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/henry-cuellar/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}</ref>

Cuellar voted to provide Israel with support following [[2023 Hamas attack on Israel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=2023-10-25 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Washington |first=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2023-10-25 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref>

===Immigration===
[[File:200227-H-NI589-098 (49592364176).jpg|thumb|Cuellar meets with acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner [[Mark A. Morgan]]]]
In 2011, Cuellar authored and co-sponsored legislation seeking to honor slain ICE agent [[Jaime Zapata]]. Billed as a border security bill, it would increase cooperation among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies during investigations of human and drug smuggling from Mexico.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martingmartin |first1=Gary |title=Border security bill named after slain ICE agent |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/Border-security-bill-named-after-slain-ICE-agent-1042950.php |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=March 4, 2011}}</ref>

In 2013, in a statement with House colleagues [[Beto O'Rourke]] and [[Filemon Vela Jr.]], Cuellar renewed his opposition to a border fence along the Rio Grande between the U.S. and Mexico. He denounced inclusion in the Senate immigration bill of an amendment sponsored by Senators [[Bob Corker]] and [[John Hoeven]] that called for 700 additional miles of border fencing, calling the fence an antiquated solution to a modern problem. The fence, he said, ignores the economic ties between the two nations, which reached $500 billion in 2012.<ref>JJ Velasquez, "Immigration Reform: Cuellar sounds off on Senate bill", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 5, 2013, pp. 1, 9A.</ref>

Cuellar was one of three Democrats to vote for [[Kate's Law]], which expands maximum sentences for immigrants who reenter the U.S. after being deported.<ref name="Politico 2020-03-04">{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/448343-justice-democrats-endorse-rep-cuellar-challenger|title=Justice Democrats endorse primary challenge to Texas Dem Cuellar|last=Rodrigo|first=Chris Mills|date=June 13, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref> He supported legislation to strip federal funding for jurisdictions that have [[Sanctuary city|sanctuary policies]] in place.<ref name="Politico 2020-03-04" />

===2008 primary===
On June 15, 2007, Cuellar endorsed then [[U.S. Senator]] [[Hillary Clinton]] for president in 2008. He said, "Senator Clinton is the only candidate with the experience and toughness to hit the ground running on her first day in the White House." In 2007, he held a fundraiser for Clinton in Laredo that raised over $200,000 and was attended by former President [[Bill Clinton]].

=== Abortion ===
Cuellar opposes abortion.<ref name="Politico 2020-03-04" /> He expressed concerns that the Senate health care bill allowed federal funding for abortion. He has voted for a ban on abortion after 20 weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Is Jessica Cisneros the Next Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/jessica-cisneros-justice-democrats-henry-cuellar-primary-challenge-2020 |magazine=Vogue |language=en |access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, he was the only Democrat to vote against the [[Women's Health Protection Act]], which aims to preserve access to abortion nationwide. The Act was proposed in response to the [[Texas Heartbeat Act]] which bans abortion after 6 weeks in Texas.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Daniella Diaz |author2=Kristin Wilson |author3=Annie Grayer |date=September 24, 2021 |title=House passes bill preserving the right to abortion |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/politics/house-vote-women-health-protection-act/index.html |access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref>

=== Appropriations ===
Cuellar is the only Texas Democrat on the [[House Appropriations Committee]] and is prolific in using his perch to deliver federal funds to his district.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appropriations {{!}} Rep. Henry Cuellar |url=https://cuellar.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=4813 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=cuellar.house.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Justin |date=2020-02-28 |title=The Party Pariah |url=https://www.texasobserver.org/henry-cuellar-reelection/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2011, he delivered federal funding to open a [[Veterans Administration]] outpatient clinic operated jointly with [[UT Health San Antonio]] in [[Laredo, Texas]]. At the time, the mayor declared that the project "would not have been possible" without the Congressman's support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fohn |first=Rosanne |date=2011-02-23 |title=City of Laredo, UT Health Science Center, VA to partner on third campus building |url=https://news.uthscsa.edu/city-of-laredo-ut-health-science-center-va-to-partner-on-third-campus-building/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=UT Health San Antonio |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2020, Cuellar secured $1.2 million in federal funding to support efforts to fight [[COVID-19]] in [[Webb County, Texas|Webb County]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-09 |title=Community Health Center receives over a million dollars in federal funds |url=https://www.kgns.tv/content/news/Community-Health-Center-receives-over-a-million-dollars-in-federal-funds-569506031.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.kgns.tv |language=en}}</ref>

=== Affordable Care Act ===
He also supported the [[Affordable Health Care for America Act]], which narrowly passed the House.

On March 21, 2010, Cuellar voted for the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], which passed the House by a vote of 219–212.<ref>{{cite web |author=Christina Bellantoni |date=March 20, 2010 |title=Cuellar To Vote 'Yes' &#124; TPMDC |url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/cuellar-to-vote-yes.php |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=Talking Points Memo}}</ref>

=== Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal ===
Cuellar was instrumental in shepherding through passage of the [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act|bipartisan infrastructure deal in 2021]]. He was one of nine Moderate Democrats who threatened to boycott a procedural vote unless House leadership first allowed a vote on President Biden's [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Sirota |first2=Sara |date=August 24, 2021 |title=Already, Cracks Emerge in Rep. Josh Gottheimer's 'Unbreakable Nine' |url=https://theintercept.com/2021/08/24/reconciliation-infrastructure-gottheimer-democrats-unbreakable-nine/ |work=The Intercept}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Hans |date=Aug 20, 2021 |title=Nine House centrists double down on passing infrastructure before budget |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2021/08/20/house-moderates-democrats-infrastructure-budget}}</ref> The effort was successful and resulted in the successful passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-08 |title=Centrist Democrats gain upper hand on progressives as infrastructure bill heads to Biden's desk |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/centrist-democrats-now-hold-cards-infrastructure-bill-heads-biden-s-n1283485 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The win has been called a historic win for President Biden.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerstle |first=Gary |date=2021-11-08 |title=Biden's infrastructure success is a historic – and sorely needed – win |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/08/bidens-infrastructure-success-is-a-historic-and-sorely-needed-win |access-date=2023-08-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Earmarks ===
Cuellar supported the return of earmarks to Congress and has used his position on Appropriations to become one of the 20 top earmarkers in Congress.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-16 |title=In the game of earmarks, Shelby has no peers |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2022/03/16/in-the-game-of-earmarks-shelby-has-no-peers/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Roll Call |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Steve |date=2021-01-18 |title=Cuellar: I hope this Congress brings back earmarks |url=https://riograndeguardian.com/cuellar-i-hope-this-congress-brings-back-earmarks/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Rio Grande Guardian |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Environmental issues ===
On June 26, 2009, Cuellar voted with the House majority to pass the [[American Clean Energy and Security Act]], also known as the [[cap and trade]] bill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 477 |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml |access-date=July 4, 2009 |publisher=Clerk.house.gov}}</ref>

=== FBI investigation ===
On January 19, 2022, the [[FBI]] obtained a search warrant for Cuellar's Laredo residence and campaign office as part of a federal probe relating to [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Valerie |date=January 19, 2022 |title=FBI probe targets Rep. Cuellar's home, campaign HQ in Laredo |work=[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]] |url=https://myrgv.com/local-news/2022/01/19/fbi-activity-underway-near-rep-cuellars-home-in-laredo/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120050830/https://myrgv.com/local-news/2022/01/19/fbi-activity-underway-near-rep-cuellars-home-in-laredo/ |archive-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>Levine, Mike. "[https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-raid-house-democrats-home-related-azerbaijan-probe/story?id=82384118 FBI raid on House Democrat's home related to Azerbaijan probe, source says]", [[ABC News]]. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2013 |title=AZERBAIJAN AND THE END OF ELECTION MONITORING AS WE KNOW IT |url=https://www.esiweb.org/pdf/esi_document_id_145.pdf |website=[[European Stability Initiative]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2012 |title=[Opinion] Europe's caviar diplomacy with Azerbaijan must end |url=https://euobserver.com/opinion/118320 |access-date=January 22, 2022 |website=EUobserver |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Coalson |first1=Robert |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Baku Smooths Over Its Rights Record With A Thick Layer Of Caviar |language=en |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-baku-caviar-oil/25162410.html |access-date=January 22, 2022}}</ref> A federal grand jury also issued subpoenas for records related to Cuellar, his wife, and at least one campaign staffer related to the matter.<ref name="Levine">Levine, Mike. "[https://abcnews.go.com/US/feds-issue-subpoenas-seeking-records-related-rep-cuellar/story?id=82405832 Feds issue subpoenas seeking records related to Rep. Cuellar and his wife, associates]", [[ABC News]]. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.</ref> Cuellar has taken interest in Azerbaijan and co-chairs the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.<ref name="Levine" />

Cuellar's lawyer has maintained that Cuellar is innocent and is not a target of the investigation and the FBI has made no statement on the point.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ocampo |first=Christian Alejandro |date=May 22, 2022 |title=FBI won't officially clear Cuellar of wrongdoing before Election Day |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/FBI-provides-no-update-on-FBI-investigation-17182006.php |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=lmtonline.com |publisher=[[Laredo Morning Times]]}}</ref> In response, party leaders including [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] reaffirmed their support for Cuellar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |date=2022-03-23 |title=Nancy Pelosi affirms support for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar after FBI raid, primary runoff berth |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/23/nancy-pelosi-henry-cuellar/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> No arrests have been made in the case and the FBI has not indicated Cuellar is a person of interest. Cuellar, who handily won reelection following the incident, is not believed to be the subject of the investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forrest |first=Julia |date=2023-01-19 |title=A year after FBI raids Henry Cuellar's home, no arrests and no answers |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/19/henry-cuellar-fbi-raid/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

=== Marijuana ===
In 2020, Cuellar was one of six House Democrats to vote against the [[Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act]], which aimed to [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalize cannabis]] at the federal level.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Matthew |date=December 4, 2020 |title=House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal level |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-marijuana-1a7b63d9cf925c2452ea937d8a636125 |access-date=June 7, 2021}}</ref> In 2014, he voted for a Republican measure blocking the implementation of a Washington, D.C., decriminalization law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Aaron C. |date=June 25, 2014 |title=House Republicans block funding for D.C. marijuana decriminalization |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-republicans-block-funding-for-dc-marijuana-decriminalization/2014/06/25/d6854ba8-fc6e-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709221910/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-republicans-block-funding-for-dc-marijuana-decriminalization/2014/06/25/d6854ba8-fc6e-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html |archive-date=July 9, 2014}}</ref>

Cuellar is an opponent of the [[Rohrabacher–Farr amendment]] which would limit the enforcement of the federal law criminalizing marijuana in states that have [[Medical cannabis in the United States|legalized medical cannabis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krane |first1=Kris |date=October 3, 2018 |title=The 5 Worst U.S. House Reps On Marijuana Policy |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kriskrane/2018/10/03/the-5-worst-u-s-house-reps-on-marijuana-policy/ |access-date=June 7, 2021}}</ref>

=== PRO Act ===
Cuellar voted against the [[Protecting the Right to Organize Act|Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act]] in 2021 and 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Gilbert |date=February 14, 2020 |title=Union protest targets Cuellar for vote against PRO Act |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Union-protest-targets-Cuellar-for-vote-against-15055211.php |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027105449/https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Union-protest-targets-Cuellar-for-vote-against-15055211.php |archive-date=October 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mueller |first1=Eleanor |last2=Ferris |first2=Sarah |date=March 9, 2021 |title=House passes labor overhaul, pitting unions against the filibuster |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/09/house-pro-act-labor-unions-474941 |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809012613/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/09/house-pro-act-labor-unions-474941 |archive-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>

=== Perceptics ===
Cuellar has supported [[automated license plate recognition]] federal contractor [[Perceptics LLC|Perceptics]] and has been linked to lobbying on behalf of the firm by [[Podesta Group]]. Perceptics CEO John Dalton called him a "friendly congressman" for Perceptics.<ref name="The Intercept_Emails">{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Emails Show Rep. Henry Cuellar Provided Extensive Favors to Border Security Lobbyists |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/02/26/henry-cuellar-perceptics-hack/ |access-date=March 1, 2020 |work=The Intercept |quote=about pilots going on at Laredo that sound a lot like Perceptics'}}</ref>

=== Russian Invasion of Ukraine ===
Cuellar supports US support for Ukraine in the wake of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=War Funding, Rep. Cuellar on Budget, Border (Radio) - Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2022-12-22/war-funding-rep-cuellar-on-budget-border-radio |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.bloomberg.com |language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vela |first=Jorge |date=Feb 25, 2023 |title='They are not 10-feet tall': Cuellar on anniversary of Russia's Ukraine invasion |work=Laredo Morning Times |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/ukraine-war-enters-second-year-cuelalr-reflects-17802032.php}}</ref> In the wake of news that the Iranian regime was supplying drones to Russia to use in the war, Cuellar led a bipartisan letter calling for the Biden administration to cripple Iran's access to technology so that American-made technology isn't used to feed Russia's war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Rep. Cuellar Leads 60 Colleagues in Calling for Crackdown on Iranian Military Drone Program |url=https://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407855 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar |language=en}}</ref>

=== San Antonio to Monterrey Rail ===
Cuellar is a leading proponent for the proposed expansion of passenger rail from [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]] to [[Monterrey|Monterrey, Mexico]], a project he has advocated for since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2022-03-18 |title=Amtrak and Rep. Cuellar explore benefits of new passenger line from San Antonio to Mexico |url=https://www.ktsa.com/amtrak-and-rep-cuellar-explore-benefits-of-new-passenger-line-from-san-antonio-to-mexico/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=KTSA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-21 |title=High Speed Rail On Track Between San Antonio, Monterrey |url=http://kjzz.org/content/9456/high-speed-rail-track-between-san-antonio-monterrey |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Fronteras |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Diamond |first=Randy |date=September 3, 2021 |title=Mexico revives of dream of San Antonio-to-Monterrey rail service |work=San Antonio Express-News |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sa-inc/article/Mexico-revives-of-dream-of-San-16428503.php}}</ref> He spearheaded support for feasibility studies by both the United States and Mexican governments on the proposal and has sought federal funding to supplement private funds in a public-private partnership.<ref name="Karlis">{{Cite web |last=Karlis |first=Michael |title=Mexican governor pleads with TxDOT to consider San Antonio-Monterrey train |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/mexican-governor-pleads-with-txdot-to-consider-san-antonio-monterrey-train-32152455 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=San Antonio Current |language=en}}</ref> An agreement has been signed between United States and Mexican officials to explore the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monterrey-San Antonio Linking Train Plan Has Been Confirmed |url=https://mexicobusiness.news/mobility/news/monterrey-san-antonio-linking-train-plan-has-been-confirmed |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Mexico Business |language=en}}</ref>

The project is supported by [[Samuel García (politician)|Samuel García]], governor of [[Nuevo León]] state where Monterrey is located.<ref name="Karlis"/> The governor visited Washington, DC in 2021 on a trip hosted by Cuellar's office to build support for the proposal link.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muñoz |first=Mario |date=2021-07-02 |title=Podcast: Nuevo León governor: Monterrey to San Antonio rail line will boost border security |url=https://riograndeguardian.com/podcast-nuevo-leon-governor-monterrey-to-san-antonio-rail-line-will-boost-border-security/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Rio Grande Guardian |language=en-US}}</ref> The train's route would connect San Antonio to Monterrey in 2 hours, with a stop in Laredo, within Cuellar's district.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Robert |last=Price |date=2016-06-01 |title=High-speed passenger rail line could link San Antonio to Monterrey |url=https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/high-speed-passenger-rail-line-could-link-san-antonio-to-monterrey |access-date=2023-08-24 |work=[[WOAI-TV]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garza |first=Lisely |date=2021-12-08 |title=TxDOT conducts study on bullet train from San Antonio to Monterrey |url=https://www.kgns.tv/2021/12/08/txdot-conducts-study-bullet-train-san-antonio-monterrey/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.kgns.tv |language=en}}</ref>

=== Trump Impeachment ===
On December 18, 2019, Cuellar voted in favor of [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|both articles of impeachment]] against Trump.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Grace Panetta |date=December 18, 2019 |title=WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump |website=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12}}</ref>

Following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters]], Cuellar called for a [[second impeachment of Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=2021-01-08 |title=All 13 Texas Democrats in the U.S. House have called for impeaching Donald Trump after Wednesday's riot |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/08/trump-texas-democrats-impeachment/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> At the subsequent trial, on January 13, he voted in favor of impeachment.<ref>Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154 (January 13, 2021). [https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117 "Roll Call 17, Bill Number: H. Res. 24, 117th Congress, 1st Session".] ''Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives''. Archived from [https://web.archive.org/web/20210113221030/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117 the original] on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021</ref>

==Personal life==
Cuellar was one of eight children. His father was an immigrant migrant worker.<ref name=":0" /> A brother, Martin Cuellar, serves as Sheriff in [[Webb County, Texas|Webb County]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Julián |date=2012-09-30 |title=Webb County Sheriff's Race is Border Rematch |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2012/09/30/rematch-border/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> A sister, Rosie Cuellar, is the municipal judge in [[Rio Bravo, Texas|Rio Bravo]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vela |first=Jorge |date=Feb 1, 2023 |title=Rosie Cuellar sworn in as Rio Bravo's first municipal judge |work=Laredo Morning Times |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/former-laredo-municipal-judge-rosie-cuellar-takes-17757393.php}}</ref>

He and his wife, Imelda, have two daughters. In 2014, Cuellar portrayed [[George Washington]] during the annual [[Washington's Birthday Celebration]] in Laredo.<ref>Miguel Timoshenkov, "Congressman, educator named new George, Martha", ''Laredo Morning Times'', April 2, 2013, p. 3A</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Laredo Celebrates George Washington, In Photos |date=May 2, 2014 |website=Latino USA |url=https://www.latinousa.org/2014/05/02/laredo-celebrates-george-washington-photos/}}</ref>

Cuellar is [[Roman Catholic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |website=Pew Research Center |date=2023-04-01}}</ref>

On October 2, 2023, at around 9:30.p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]], Cuellar was held at gunpoint and [[Carjacking|carjacked]] by three robbers outside of his [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C.]] apartment residence. The suspects stole Cuellar's vehicle as well as his luggage, though the car and all of his belongings were recovered by law enforcement a few hours later. <ref>{{cite news |title=Video: Rep. Henry Cuellar speaks out after surviving armed carjacking {{!}} CNN Politics |date=2023-10-03 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/10/03/congressman-henry-cuellar-speaks-out-carjacking-sot-vpx.cnn |access-date=2023-10-03 |language=en |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Cuellar was reportedly unharmed. A police investigation is ongoing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weil |first1=Martin |title=Texas congressman carjacked in Southeast Washington, authorities say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/10/02/congressman-henry-cuellar-carjacked-southeast-dc/ |access-date=October 3, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=October 3, 2023 |orig-date=October 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Yash |last=Bajaj |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/henry-cuellar-carjacked-at-gunpoint-outside-his-washington-dc-home-article-104118432 |title=Henry Cuellar Carjacked At Gunpoint Outside His Washington DC Home |date=October 3, 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |work=[[Times Now]]}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://cuellar.house.gov Congressman Henry Cuellar] official U.S. House website
* [http://www.henrycuellar.com/ Henry Cuellar for Congress]
* {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Texas/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives/Henry_Cuellar_%5BD-28%5D}}
* {{C-SPAN|1013062}}
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[[Category:1955 births]]
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[[Category:Customs brokers]]
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