Henry Cuellar

Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 28th congressional district, a seat he has held since 2005. Born on September 19, 1955, in Laredo, Texas, to migrant farmworkers, he is recognized as one of the most academically credentialed members of Congress. His education includes an associate degree from Laredo Community College, a bachelor’s from Georgetown University, a master’s from Texas A&M International University, and both a JD and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, along with a master’s from the U.S. Naval War College. Before his election to federal office, Cuellar served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001 and briefly as the Texas Secretary of State in 2001. Professionally, he has worked as a private practice lawyer, a licensed customs broker, and an adjunct professor of international commercial law. He first won election to the U.S. House in 2004, representing a district that stretches from Laredo to the San Antonio area. In Congress, Cuellar is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and has been a prominent member of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition. He is known for a bipartisan legislative style and often aligns with more conservative positions than many of his Democratic colleagues. Throughout his tenure, he has focused on issues such as international trade, border security, and regional economic development.

Henry Cuellar is a centrist Democrat known for his conservative-leaning views on several key issues. On healthcare, he supports the expansion of community health clinics and has been a long-time advocate for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the preservation of Medicare. His economic platform is built on promoting international trade, particularly with Mexico, and he founded the bipartisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus; he also emphasizes fiscal responsibility and has supported balanced budget amendments. On immigration, Cuellar prioritizes border security and funding for enforcement agencies while maintaining that economic ties must remain strong. He is notably one of the few Democrats to consistently express pro-life views, supporting various restrictions on abortion. Additionally, he is a supporter of the oil and gas industry, citing its importance to the South Texas economy.