Securing Support for Colonias and Southwest Border Communities May 20, 2026

During today’s FY27 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee markup, I highlighted priorities I secured to support communities along the Southwest border. The bill includes $5.5 million for the Southwest Border Regional Commission, which helps direct federal investment toward communities in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California where economic opportunity has historically lagged behind. This funding supports critical infrastructure, economic development, and job creation in u...

Rep. Cuellar Honors Fallen Officers During National Police Week May 14, 2026

On the House floor, we observed a moment of silence for the law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. As a member of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I stand with the men and women in law enforcement across the country and in #TX28. These officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities, facing situations that most of us will never see firsthand. Their work is difficult. Their sacrifice is real. Too often, it is their families who carry the weig...

Rep. Cuellar During Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Markup Pt. 2 May 14, 2026

I spoke on two additional provisions I secured in the FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill during our House Appropriations Committee hearing. The bill includes my language to review immigration court operations and help address the growing case backlog so cases can move through the system faster and more efficiently. We need an immigration system that works fairly, and this provision helps improve accountability and oversight. I also secured language supporti...

Rep. Cuellar During Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Markup Pt. 1 May 14, 2026

I highlighted several priorities I helped secure in the FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill during our House Appropriations Committee hearing. The bill includes language I fought for to support regional task forces focused on cargo theft and supply chain fraud, including $2 million to help protect critical trade routes through the Port of Laredo, which facilitates nearly $340 billion in trade annually, while targeting organized criminal networks tied to drug...

Rep. Cuellar Questions Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao During Defense Budget Hearing May 13, 2026

During this week's House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on the Navy and Marine Corps budget, I questioned Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle, and Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith about China’s growing military presence in Latin America and what we’re doing to push back. Earlier this year, I traveled to Mexico as part of a congressional delegation and saw firsthand how quickly China’s influence continues expanding across...

Rep. Cuellar Questions Sec. Hegseth During House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Budget Hearing May 13, 2026

Today I questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee about one of the most urgent threats along our southern border: cartels deploying advanced fiber-optic drones - the same technology reshaping the battlefield in Ukraine - that can evade current counter-UAS systems. This threat hits close to home in South Texas. TX-28 spans hundreds of miles along the border, and our families, local law enforcement officers, and servicemembers confront these chal...

Raising JBSA-Lackland Infrastructure Concerns with Defense Leaders May 5, 2026

During the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing, I pressed Air Force 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...

Rep. Cuellar Supports South Texas Agriculture During Agriculture Appropriations Markup [2/2] May 5, 2026

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 ...

Rep. Cuellar Supports South Texas Agriculture During Agriculture Appropriations Markup [1/2] May 5, 2026

During the 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...

Rep. Cuellar Advances South Texas Priorities During NSRP Appropriations Markup May 5, 2026

During the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations markup, I spoke in support of several provisions that are critical to South Texas. I appreciate the bill’s strong focus on outcome-based budgeting, oversight, performance, and accountability to help ensure taxpayer dollars produce real results. The bill makes significant investments in the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, including funding and direction to address drought conditions, improve w...

Rep. Cuellar Commends Passage of House Farm Bill April 30, 2026

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 ...

Rep. Cuellar Advocates for DACA Federal Jobs Amendment in Appropriations Markup April 23, 2026

During this week's committee markup for the FY2027 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, I advocated for my colleague Rep. Pete Aguilar’s amendment to allow DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, to work in the federal government and recognize their contributions to our country. This comes down to fairness and responsibility. Dreamers did not break the law. Their parents brought them here, and this country shaped who they have become. They have earned degrees, served i...

Supporting Expanded Care at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center April 21, 2026

During today’s full committee markup of the FY2027 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, I secured language to support continued planning at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio. This hospital serves veterans across all of South Texas. It handles complex care and supports families from across our region. It’s also part of a broader medical ecosystem in San Antonio, alongside institutions like UT Health San Antonio and others that help strengthen care del...

Strengthening Care for Veterans at the Laredo VA Clinic April 21, 2026

During today’s full committee markup of the FY2027 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, I secured language to strengthen care at the Laredo VA clinic. I secured the construction of the Laredo VA clinic several years ago because our veterans deserved care closer to home. Today, thousands of veterans across South Texas rely on it, including more than 5,000 in Webb County alone. As our community has grown, the need for care has grown with it, and some veterans still have ...