Henry Cuellar is a Democratic Representative from Texas, serving the 28th Congressional District since January 3, 2005. Born on September 19, 1955, in Laredo, Texas, Cuellar has a comprehensive educational background with degrees ranging from an Associate of Arts from Laredo Community College to a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin.

Prior to his election to Congress, Cuellar served in the Texas State House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001 and briefly held the position of Texas Secretary of State in 2001. Cuellar’s tenure in Congress has been marked by his active involvement in key legislative committees, including the Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture. His role has allowed him to influence funding allocations and policy decisions affecting various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and education.

Cuellar's legislative focus has included significant sponsorship and co-sponsorship of bills aimed at improving education and healthcare access. Among his recent initiatives is the Keeping Texas School Construction Costs Down Act of 2023 (HB32), which seeks to provide financial mechanisms to support Texas school construction through provisions concerning perpetual trust funds. He also co-sponsored the Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2023 (HB33), advocating for expanded Medicare coverage to include essential healthcare services, thereby addressing gaps in healthcare for seniors.

Cuellar has demonstrated a commitment to veterans’ affairs with his sponsorship of the Veterans Member Business Loan Act (HB507), aiming to facilitate easier access to loans for veterans engaged in business ventures. This legislative push reveals his interest in supporting veteran entrepreneurship while enhancing their economic opportunities. Moreover, he advocates for the recognition of significant contributions to veterans’ services, as seen in his support for naming the U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic to honor a former colleague’s legacy in veterans’ healthcare.

Cuellar's political leanings can be characterized as centrist, with a focus on pragmatic solutions that bridge partisan divides. His consistent support for bills that enhance healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations, reflects a commitment to progressive social policies. However, he also engages with congressional matters that resonate across the aisle, including veteran affairs and education funding, showcasing a willingness to collaborate with Republican colleagues on initiatives such as the National Human Trafficking Hotline enhancements through the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 (HB1144).

In his personal life, Cuellar has maintained close ties to his community, often participating in local events and discussions that affect his constituents directly. He represents a blend of traditional Democratic values, focusing on social justice and support for marginalized communities, with an approach that aims to achieve tangible results in governance. Through his legislative efforts, Cuellar engages with complex issues like immigration, healthcare access, and education funding, aiming to better the quality of life for the diverse population within his district.