Cuellar awarded for leadership and bipartisanship

By Jorge A. Vela, LMTonline.com / Laredo Morning Times

The United States Chamber of Commerce awarded Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) with two outstanding awards for leadership and bipartisanship.

In a press release sent out by the congressman’s office, it was reported that Congressman Cuellar was awarded the Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award and the Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship by the United States Chamber of Commerce. These two awards are presented to members of Congress who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward.

“It is an honor to be one of only five members of Congress to receive both the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award and the Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship,” Cuellar said. “Now more than ever, we must walk across the aisle and come together to pursue common ground and bold solutions to the historic challenges facing our communities and our nation. Americans are counting on it.”

Due to the fact that Cuellar is known to work across the aisle, the Chamber of Commerce saw him as the perfect fit for the distinction as someone who tries to form unity during times of division.

“Now more than ever, our nation needs elected leaders with the courage to pursue common ground and bold, bipartisan solutions to America’s greatest challenges,” U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark said. “These awards honor the deserving members of Congress that are forging common-sense solutions, working across the aisle, to enact lasting and meaningful reforms. In the days ahead, Congress must work together and support our nation’s free enterprise principles that will help bring our economy back to strength and put our people back to work.”

The award was also given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because it made a commitment last year to highlight the need for more bipartisan work and support in Congress.

“Last year, the U.S. Chamber pledged to heighten our focus and reward bipartisan leadership and constructive governing, and we are now making good on that promise today,” Clark said.

Cuellar formed the perfect fit as he was chosen as one of the “Most Bipartisan Members in the 116th Congress” by Quorum Analytics in 2019.

Cuellar extended thanks to the U. S. Chamber of Commerce for offering him such distinction. He said he is grateful that his work is recognized despite the fact that he is doing what must be done in efforts to achieve unity in the country.

“As we see more unrelentless division and dysfunction in Washington, I am committed to stepping up and working with both Democrats and Republicans to move our country forward,” Cuellar said. “I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for these awards and their commitment to advocating for hard-working Americans.”

The press release sent out by the congressman’s office also pointed out more information about the award such as the fact that the new Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award recognizes members of Congress who demonstrate the leadership needed to advance policies that support American business. It is presented to the top 10 senators and top 20 members of Congress on the leadership component of the Chamber’s forthcoming “How They Voted” congressional scorecard. Since the start of the 116th Congress, the Chamber has urged members to cosponsor certain bills and refrain from cosponsoring others. This award is based on the number of times a member took the recommended actions.

The new Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship recognizes those members of Congress who in their actions have demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle in support of common objectives. The Jefferson-Hamilton Award is presented to the top 10 senators and top 20 members of Congress based on the number of bills — except those formally opposed by the Chamber — a member cosponsors introduced by a member of the opposite party. Members are ranked relative to the performance of all other members of their party, with the top ranked in both parties earning 100%.