Today, Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) was sworn into his eight term in the United States House of Representatives. After his swearing-in, Congressman Cuellar noted the following:

“I am proud to continue serving the 28^th Congressional District and the people of Texas. As Democrats enter a new majority in the House, we are prepared to re-open government, enact full-year appropriations, and make sure that the federal government continues to stay open year after year.

“I will work with my colleagues to enact policies our constituents sent us to Washington to fight for, including lowering healthcare and prescription drug costs, improving transportation infrastructure, increasing access to care and benefits for our troops and veterans, helping ranchers and farmers, providing access to higher education, promoting a vision of border security that does not include a wall, as well as building upon the success of NAFTA.

"My constituents in the 28th District need a strong voice in Washington. Texan families deserve good jobs, affordable education and quality healthcare and I stand ready to get to work right away.”

Congressman Cuellar was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 and is currently a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Chief Deputy Whip and a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. He previously served as Texas Secretary of State and represented Laredo in the Texas House of Representatives for 14 years.

Congressman Cuellar has a well-deserved reputation for being a strong and independent voice for Texans, often reaching across party lines to craft bipartisan solutions for pressing issues facing both Texas and the country. In the 116^th Congress, Congressman Cuellar intends to build upon his success to further serve his constituents. Specifically, he seeks to pass legislation to:

• Enact and enter into force an updated NAFTA, also known as the USMCA
• Bolster border security without funding a border wall
• Address the root causes of immigration in Central and Latin America
• Increase access to higher education for all Texans, including those in underrepresented communities
• Require more responsible spending in Washington
• Protect the Affordable Care Act and increase access to health insurance and medical care
• Increase access to care and benefits for our troops and veterans
• Provide a solution for DREAMers
• Continue to streamline border operations to increase cross-border trade
• Increase government transparency

The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi led today's traditional swearing-in ceremony on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Cuellar recited the oath that every Member of Congress has sworn since 1884: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Congressman Cuellar stands with wife Imelda Cuellar and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take the official oath of office as the 116th Congress formally convened on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Imelda Cuellar,
Congressman Henry Cuellar