Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), the only Texas Democrat appointed to the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, announced today that he received appointments to the Subcommittee for Homeland Security and the Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for the 113th Congress.

“Homeland Security is a critical national policy segment that our nation must continue to prioritize,” said Congressman Cuellar, who is beginning his first term on the Appropriations Committee. “And, State Foreign Operations will play a vital role in our national security and international policies--particularly as it relates to our neighbor and biggest trading partner, Mexico.  I am hopeful that my prior experience on the House Committee on Homeland Security, as well as my experience with the U.S.-Mexico border and trade will prove helpful to the Committee.  I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to make certain we work responsibly to tackle our nation's many challenges in these areas.”

As a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Congressman Cuellar will review funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol, ICE, the Coast Guard, FEMA, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Office of Domestic Preparedness Funding.

The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee has jurisdiction within the Department of State, U.S. Mexico foreign relations, the International Boundary and Water Commission, and the Export – Import Bank.

Last month, Congressman Cuellar was appointed to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, making him the only Texas Democrat to receive such leadership position on the committee in recent years.

The main purpose of the Committee on Appropriations is to oversee the Federal budget, review proposed expenditures and craft the legislation that outlines annual spending for government agencies.