Rep. Henry Cuellar

This morning in Laredo, I had the pleasure of attending the 33rd Lake Casa Blanca Fishing Derby. It was great to join families, community leaders, and volunteers for an event that continues to promote outdoor engagement, environmental appreciation, and community connection. The derby provides a safe and welcoming space for youth with special needs while encouraging family participation, building confidence, and creating lasting memories for everyone involved. Events like this reflect the very best of our community and the importance of making sure every child has the opportunity to participate and enjoy meaningful experiences. While there, I also had the honor of presenting a Congressional Recognition to Judge Danny Valdez for founding this special event and for his longtime leadership and commitment to our community. Thank you, Judge Valdez, for creating a tradition that has made a difference in the lives of so many families. Thank you to Gloria Gomez, Laredo Community First, @TPWDnews Department, Parks and Wildlife Manager Querubin Guerra, @LaredoISD , @unitedisd, and all of the volunteers and organizers who helped make this special event possible. I’ll continue supporting efforts that strengthen inclusion, accessibility, and opportunity across our community.

Today in Laredo, I was deeply honored to join local leaders, friends, and members of our community for the unveiling ceremony of the @FlyLaredoLRD Henry Cuellar Terminal. I want to thank Mayor Victor Treviño and the @cityoflaredo Council for this incredible honor and for their continued leadership. This moment was about more than a name on a building. It reflected the shared journey of a community that believes in hard work, opportunity, and working together to move Laredo forward. A terminal is a gateway where families reunite, businesses grow, and new opportunities begin, and I was humbled to have my name connected to a place that means so much to our city. Our airport has played a vital role in Laredo’s economy, supporting jobs, travel, and international trade along the border. Since 2005, more than $229 million in federal funding has been invested there to strengthen infrastructure, improve safety, and expand capacity. I’ve been proud to help fight for those resources and to support continued growth for our region. I’m grateful to my wife, Imelda, my daughters Christina and Catherine, and my entire family for their love and support through every step of this journey. I’ll continue working every day to ensure Laredo’s future is even brighter than its past!

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Andres Velazquez, visited three local businesses in Rio Bravo to present Congressional Certificates of Recognition on my behalf. Los Pasteles Bakery, Lugo’s Store, and Rio Bravo Machine Shop were each recognized for their dedication to serving the community, supporting the local economy, and reflecting the hardworking spirit of South Texas small businesses. These businesses play an important role in creating jobs, providing services, and strengthening the community. I’ll continue working to support small businesses and the opportunities they create for families across our communities.

I voted to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that gives American agriculture a path forward for the next five years. Today, we made sure rural communities don’t get left behind. The bill expands technical assistance so underserved areas can access critical Rural Development programs. It also invests in distressed water systems with zero percent and low interest loans, including support for colonias across South Texas, where clean, reliable water makes all the difference. This bill comes after a three year delay. I voted yes because our farmers and ranchers needed certainty after all this time and I’ll always back the people who put food on our tables and drive our economies. House Democrats fought to strengthen this bill and protect our producers, our workers, and our communities. Our work doesn’t stop here. I’ll keep fighting to improve this bill as it moves through the Senate and make sure it delivers for the people we represent. Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities keep this country moving. They deserve a Farm Bill that works for them, and today, we took a strong step forward.

My San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Kelly Brooks, recently attended the McMullen County Commissioners Court meeting, where county leaders addressed items on the regular agenda and discussed new water management initiatives for the county. The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts to plan for future needs and strengthen local infrastructure. The meeting provided valuable insight into county priorities and the issues most important to residents. My office will continue working with local leaders to stay informed and support the needs of our communities.

Today, I supported bipartisan action to reopen @DHSgov after a 76-day shutdown, ensuring frontline personnel receive the pay they earned while protecting our communities. Read my full statement below.⬇️ cuellar.house.gov/news/documents…

During today’s House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing, I pressed @usairforce Secretary Troy Meink on a fundamental responsibility: if we expect a ready force, we must address the infrastructure challenges that affect our installations and surrounding communities. I raised the ongoing wastewater pipeline issue at JBSA-Lackland and the impact it continues to have on San Antonio. Military City USA has invested heavily to support our installations and servicemembers, and our community expects accountability when federal infrastructure falls short. This problem has persisted for years, affecting both base operations and nearby residents. I appreciate the Secretary’s commitment to getting this resolved. We ask a great deal of those who serve. We have a duty to meet that commitment, and I will keep working in a bipartisan way through Appropriations to deliver results for our servicemembers and their families. Watch my full remarks below.⬇️

Thank you @RepCuellar for your support of #USIBWC efforts in #SouthTexas. This is essential for our communities, our health, and our shared future. We remain committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners, to ensure Americans are protected from #MexicanSewage, maintaining critical infrastructure, and ensuring fair water apportionment. 🇺🇸

Today’s Supreme Court ruling undermines fair representation and weakens the Voting Rights Act. That landmark law helped ensure minority communities have a voice and it still matters. This ruling makes it harder to challenge maps that weaken minority representation and opens the door for district lines that split communities apart. It follows the Court’s decision earlier this week to uphold Texas’ current congressional map, a redistricting effort that has already had ripple effects across the entire country. Voters should be the ones who choose their representative. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. They deserve clarity and confidence in how their voices are represented on the national stage. Representation ultimately drives results. When communities stay whole, they can build support to secure federal funding for highways and housing, invest in public schools, expand health care access, strengthen law enforcement, and more. When district lines divide people, their voice weakens and so does the ability to deliver those investments. Your voice should count at the ballot box. That’s how our system is supposed to work. I’ll keep working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect your voice in Washington, keep the process fair and transparent, and deliver for our communities.

I joined my colleagues in welcoming His Majesty King Charles III to the United States Capitol for an address to Congress, where I also had the opportunity to personally greet both the King and the Queen. He spoke about the strength of the U.S.-U.K. partnership and why it still matters. That special relationship continues to shape our work today. It has helped keep our people safe and move our economies forward. As America nears its 250th anniversary, we need to keep building on that foundation. We’re stronger when we work together and stay focused on the job ahead. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

I met with Dustin and Michelle Titzman, co-founders of Warrior Kid Medic, to discuss their proposal to launch a South Texas Youth Preparedness Pilot Program across ECISD and Laredo ISD. Their initiative focuses on equipping students with emergency response skills, strengthening leadership, and improving coordination with existing school safety efforts. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to explore solutions that deliver for our communities and support safer, more prepared schools.

I met with Rafael Anchia of @CivitasCG to discuss investment opportunities across Texas, including infrastructure, housing, and economic development. We also discussed EB-5 immigrant investor programs and the role of foreign funding in supporting job creation and regional growth. We focused on ways to align private sector capital with federal funding streams to support growth, strengthen border communities, and expand long-term infrastructure projects. Through the appropriations process I’ve supported federal investments in water and border infrastructure and I’ve continued engaging in oversight and funding discussions – including those related to immigrant investor programs – to advance cross-border development and economic resiliency. I’ll keep working in a bipartisan way with partners to drive investment and deliver for our communities.

I met with representatives from @USIEducation to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and their implications for U.S. national security. We had a thoughtful conversation on regional dynamics, including perspectives from Palestinian leaders and the challenges shaping the region. These discussions help inform our approach to U.S. policy and efforts to promote stability abroad. I’ll continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stay informed, support our alliances, and advance a steady, bipartisan approach to national security.

I met with Seth Bell of the @NationalParkFdn to discuss reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund and strengthening long-term investments in our national parks. We talked about the importance of maintaining reliable funding to address deferred maintenance, improve infrastructure, and support visitor access across federal lands. I’ll keep working with partners on both sides of the aisle to advance solutions that preserve our parks and deliver for our communities.

During consideration of the Agriculture appropriations bill, I secured key provisions that deliver for border communities and rural areas. First, I worked to secure language on outcome-based reviews, performance management, and oversight. This is about good governance and I believe it should be applied across all departments. We need to find efficiencies and savings without cutting services and this approach helps ensure taxpayer dollars produce real results. I’ll keep pushing for this to serve as a model across all appropriations bills. I also secured language to strengthen water and wastewater technical assistance for colonias. Border colonias communities face limited capacity and must navigate complex funding and regulatory processes. Prioritizing technical assistance for colonias helps ensure they are not left behind and gives local leaders the tools to build and maintain critical infrastructure. I’ll continue working in a bipartisan way to secure the resources our communities need and deliver results for South Texas. Listen to my remarks below.⬇️

During today’s Agriculture appropriations bill markup, I spoke in support of my provisions that are critical to South Texas farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. I appreciate the bill’s strong investments in cattle health, including efforts to eradicate fever ticks and support a fencing program that help protect Texas ranchers and contain the spread of livestock disease. The bill also takes steps to address the New World screwworm and continues work to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza to protect producers and keep the price of eggs affordable. The bill includes my bipartisan request for an assessment of the sterile Mexican fruit fly facility at Moore Air Base to ensure repairs, modernization, and full operational capacity, which is essential to protecting citrus and other specialty crops in the border region. It advances research on citrus greening and strengthens efforts to combat cotton pests, whitefly, and feral swine so our producers can continue delivering the food and fiber our country depends on. I also appreciate the recognition of APHIS border inspectors, who protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases while keeping trade moving. I support programs that strengthen rural communities – from essential community facilities, housing, and rural businesses to broadband and water programs. This bill funds key programs I’ve supported, including the Circuit Rider program, Regional Technical Assistance, and the Grassroots Groundwater Protection Program to help small communities plan, finance, and manage critical infrastructure. I’ll continue working in a bipartisan way to build on my provisions, advance this bill, and deliver for South Texas agriculture and rural communities. Watch my full remarks below.⬇️

I met with Radical Defense alongside my colleague @RepTroyNehls to discuss efforts to address blast overpressure exposure and improve protections for our service members. We reviewed emerging technologies and research aimed at reducing the impact of repeated overpressure, including solutions that support brain health and protect critical equipment in operational environments. These investments can strengthen readiness while helping prevent long-term injuries. Supporting our troops requires bipartisan collaboration and smart investments. Through the Appropriations process, I’ll continue working to advance solutions that strengthen readiness and protect the men and women who serve, including the many service members and military families across South Texas.

I met with leaders from the @NRLCA during their annual fly-in to hear directly from those who serve rural routes across the country. They raised concerns about on-the-job risks, gaps in retirement credit for longtime federal workers, and proposals that could shift the Postal Service away from its public mission. In parts of South Texas, many families and small communities depend on consistent rural delivery for medications, business operations, and daily communication. I’m working in a bipartisan way to support policies that strengthen the postal workforce and keep service dependable. Delivering for our district means ensuring rural residents continue to receive the reliable mail service they count on every day.

I welcomed students from @GarciaECHS in Laredo to Washington and appreciated the opportunity to visit with them about their goals and experiences, as well as to show them inside the Appropriations Committee. It’s always encouraging to see young people from South Texas take the time to come to our nation’s capital, ask questions, and engage in the process. Their commitment to academics and leadership reflects the strength of our community back home. I value every chance to connect with the next generation, and I’m confident many of these students will continue to lead and give back. Delivering for our district also means investing in opportunities that help South Texas students succeed and return to serve their communities.