Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas’s 28th Congressional District announced on September 11, 2025, that he has been reappointed to serve on the powerful Appropriations Conference Committee, the first to convene since 2019. The veteran Democrat said his role will focus on reconciling funding bills related to Military Construction & Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch.
“Today, I was appointed to serve once more on Congress’s Appropriations Conference Committee – the first convened since 2019,” Cuellar wrote in a statement posted to social media. “In 2019, I served on the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Committee, where I secured key investments to strengthen security along the Southern border.”
Cuellar explained the significance of the committee, which brings members of the House and Senate together to finalize versions of spending bills before they reach the president’s desk. “Conference Committees bring members of the House and Senate together to reconcile differences in funding bills and deliver one final version that can be signed into law,” he noted.
This year’s assignment, he said, carries direct implications for his South Texas district. “I’ll work to ensure these bills support our farmers and ranchers, provide for our veterans and servicemembers, invest in infrastructure, lower costs for families, and reflect the priorities of South Texans,” Cuellar said. “It’s an honor to represent #TX28, and I look forward to delivering results for our communities.”
Cuellar’s reappointment emphasizes the importance of continuity in the appropriations process. The Laredo native, first elected to Congress in 2004, has built a reputation as a centrist Democrat with a focus on border security, agriculture, veterans’ services, and infrastructure. His district, stretching from the U.S.–Mexico border north toward San Antonio, stands to benefit from his seat at the negotiating table.
It is widely known that committee membership is one of the most influential assignments in Congress, as appropriations bills dictate how federal dollars are spent nationwide. For South Texas, that influence could mean new investments in agricultural programs, veterans’ health services, military construction, and infrastructure projects that reduce costs for families.
By emphasizing both local and national priorities, Cuellar has positioned himself as a key player in shaping spending bills that will have far-reaching consequences. His appointment marks a continuation of efforts that, in 2019, helped secure additional funding for security along the Southern border.
