53 Facts About Henry Cuellar

Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar is an American attorney and politician serving as the US representative for since 2005.

Henry Cuellar's district extends from the Rio Grande to San Antonio's suburbs.

Henry Cuellar was first elected to Congress in 2004, after defeating incumbent Ciro Rodriguez in a primary challenge.

Henry Cuellar is considered a centrist or conservative Democrat within the House Democratic Caucus.

Henry Cuellar has since been comfortably reelected in every general election while surviving a number of competitive primary races, most notably in 2020 and 2022.

In early May 2024, Henry Cuellar was indicted on money laundering, bribery and conspiracy charges by a federal grand jury in Houston, Texas.

Henry Cuellar's mother, former Odilia Perez, was a native of Zapata, Texas.

Henry Cuellar received an associate of arts degree from Laredo Community College, then known as Laredo Junior College.

In 1981, Henry Cuellar opened his own law firm in Laredo and became a licensed customs broker in 1983.

Henry Cuellar was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001, representing most of Laredo.

In 2001, Governor Rick Perry appointed Henry Cuellar to be Secretary of State of Texas.

Henry Cuellar served in the office for just over nine months until his resignation, after which Geoff Connor held the position in an acting capacity.

In 2002, Henry Cuellar was the Democratic nominee for the House of Representatives in Texas's 23rd congressional district.

Henry Cuellar spent much of early 2003 preparing for a rematch against Bonilla.

Henry Cuellar challenged Rodriguez, a former friend, for the nomination, winning by 58 votes.

The initial count gave Rodriguez a 145-vote lead, but, after a recount, Henry Cuellar led by 58 votes.

Henry Cuellar's victory was one of only two primary upsets of incumbents from either party in the entire country.

Henry Cuellar was unopposed in the Democratic primary on March 4,2008.

Henry Cuellar was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in 2010 and won reelection in the general election.

Henry Cuellar defeated the Republican, 112,262 votes to 49,095 votes.

Henry Cuellar was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced no Republican opposition in 2014.

Henry Cuellar extended his lead to a 289-vote margin during the recount.

Henry Cuellar went on to easily win reelection against the Republican nominee.

On July 1,2024, it was reported that Henry Cuellar's office is the worst-paid US House office.

Henry Cuellar faced Republican political newcomer and physician Jay Furman in the general election.

Henry 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.

Henry Cuellar is one of two members belonging to the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Democratic Coalition in the Texas congressional delegation.

In 2011, Henry Cuellar authored and co-sponsored legislation seeking to honor slain ICE agent Jaime Zapata.

Henry Cuellar 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.

Henry Cuellar was one of three Democrats to vote for Kate's Law, which expands maximum sentences for immigrants who reenter the US after being deported.

Henry Cuellar supported legislation to strip federal funding for jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies in place.

On June 15,2007, Henry Cuellar endorsed then US senator Hillary Clinton for president in 2008.

Henry Cuellar expressed concerns that the Senate health care bill allowed federal funding for abortion.

Henry Cuellar has voted for a ban on abortion after 20 weeks.

Henry 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.

In 2020, Henry Cuellar secured $1.2 million in federal funding to support efforts to fight COVID-19 in Webb County.

Henry Cuellar supported the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which narrowly passed the House.

Henry Cuellar was instrumental in shepherding through passage of the bipartisan infrastructure deal in 2021.

Henry Cuellar 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.

Henry 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.

On June 26,2009, Henry Cuellar voted with the House majority to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act, known as the cap and trade bill.

In March 2023, Henry Cuellar announced that he would vote to roll back environmental regulations in President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, making him one of only two Democrats to do so.

In 2025, Henry Cuellar was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.

In 2025, Henry Cuellar was one of two House Democrats to vote in favor of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would ban transgender athletes from participating in women's and girls' sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions.

In 2020, Henry Cuellar was one of six House Democrats to vote against the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, which aimed to legalize cannabis at the federal level.

Henry Cuellar voted against the Protecting the Right to Organize Act in 2021 and 2022.

Henry Cuellar has supported automated license plate recognition federal contractor Perceptics and has been linked to lobbying on behalf of the firm by Podesta Group.

Henry Cuellar voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Henry Cuellar is a leading proponent for the proposed expansion of passenger rail from San Antonio, Texas to Monterrey, Mexico, a project he has advocated for since 2008.

Henry Cuellar 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.

On December 18,2019, Henry Cuellar voted in favor of both articles of impeachment against Trump.

Henry Cuellar is represented by criminal defense attorney Josh Berman of Clifford Chance LLP.

In 2014, Henry Cuellar portrayed George Washington during the annual Washington's Birthday Celebration in Laredo.