Serving his ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Henry Cuellar proudly represents Texas’ 28th congressional district, which includes the cities of Laredo, Mission, Rio Grande City, and San Antonio. Congressman Cuellar supports equal opportunity for men and women of all backgrounds. His legislative principles are based on the belief that education, family values and hard work should open doors to new opportunities for all Americans.
Congressman Cuellar serves as the only Texas Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Appropriations Committee. He is the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, while also serving on the Defense Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Congressman Cuellar was named Chief Deputy Whip for the 117th Congress, where he works in a bipartisan manner to serve the American people.
Trade and Texas
Congressman Cuellar is a proud supporter of free trade and has witnessed first-hand how free trade has transformed Texas. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has given rise to the greatest display of economic growth in the history of South Texas. That agreement, known as NAFTA, links the economies of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Congressman Cuellar believes that the advancement of new trade policies will expand opportunities for American businesses, workers and farmers.
Trade Moving Forward
Congressman Cuellar is a proud supporter of many trade agreements, including NAFTA and CAFTA, the Andean Agreements and the Peru Trade Promotion Agreements. Congressman Cuellar has also urged the Obama Administration to pass the Panama, Colombia, and Korea Free Trade Agreements.
Moving forward, Congressman Cuellar strongly supports the re-institution of the fast-track authority for the President to negotiate trade agreements. This authority will help expedite the future of American trade and will help level the playing field so American exports can experience the same benefits we extend to other countries' imports into the United States.
Advocate for Trade
Congressman Cuellar is a member of the Friends of Panama Caucus and is co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Colombia.
In 2009, Congressman Cuellar founded the bi-partisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus (CPTC).
The CPTC is dedicated to building a bi-partisan coalition to advance an international trade policy that keeps America competitive in the world. The CPTC works the Administration and the United States Trade Representative as closely as it does with the organizations and businesses affected by trade and foreign embassies, hosting briefings, meetings and events that promote trade.