Tagged News

• Hispanic GOP candidates could reshape Texas’ congressional delegation — if they can win Hispanic voters

  April 30, 2026 11:14 AM

  WASHINGTON — In 2024, President Donald Trump won the White House buoyed by historic support among Hispanic voters, diversifying the GOP’s coalition and flipping Democratic strongholds like South Texas. Two years later, a crop of Hispanic Republican candidates in Texas will aim to solidify Trump’s gains in defiance of... more »

• Congressman Cuellar working to secure funds for indoor animal shelter in Mission Play Video

  April 7, 2026 9:54 AM

  Rep. Henry Cuellar met with Mission city leaders and animal shelter staff on Monday, April 6, to discuss plans to secure $1 million in federal funding for the Mission Animal Shelter. The proposed Community Project Funding would go toward rehabilitating and modernizing the shelter, located at 227 Abelino Farias... more »

• Protest held for McAllen family detained by ICE Play Video

  March 8, 2026 1:41 PM

  Dozens of people showed their support outside of the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville. That's where one of three McAllen Independent School District students is being detained. The students, two of whom are Mariachi Oro members, along with their parents, were detained last month by U.S. Immigration and... more »

• Incumbent Henry Cuellar beats Democratic primary challengers in District 28 Play Video

  March 3, 2026 9:34 PM

  Unoficial election results show that incumbent Henry Cuellar is leading in the Congressional District 28 Democratic primary election. Voting numbers show Cuellar has 238,927 votes, or over 58%. Cuellar has held the seat for nearly 20 years. Two other candidates, Ricardo Villarreal and Andrew Vantine, received 24,787 and... more »

• Webb County judge, newcomer compete for District 28 GOP nomination in South Texas Play Video

  February 26, 2026 4:14 PM

  Republicans are lining up for the 28th Congressional District in a closely watched race. The seat, which includes all of Starr County and a portion of western Hidalgo County, is currently held by Henry Cuellar. Two candidates, Eileen Day and Tano Tijerina, are running for the Republican ticket.... more »

• U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz wants legal status for migrant workers in struggling construction industry

  January 5, 2026 6:49 PM

  McALLEN — U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz promised to explore new ways for migrants to work legally in the construction industry. The Edinburg Republican announced on Monday her plans to meet with the U.S. Department of Labor, after South Texas builders voiced frustration with how immigration arrests at... more »

• “Construction can’t continue”: South Texas builders say ICE arrests have upended industry

  December 24, 2025 11:23 AM

  McALLEN — One morning in mid-November, Mario Guerrero, the executive director of the South Texas Builders Association, was checking a group chat when a video of federal agents detaining people from a construction site popped up. He watched the video of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining workers who... more »

• Trump’s pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar leaves local Republicans surprised and disappointed

  December 15, 2025 4:43 PM

  Zapata County Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Thatcher was shocked when she learned earlier this month that President Donald Trump had pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar, freeing him from legal peril for the federal corruption charges he faced. By pardoning Cuellar, she said, Trump removed the Laredo Democrats’ main vulnerability, which Republicans... more »

• After Trump pardon, Rep. Henry Cuellar restored to homeland security funding post

  December 11, 2025 2:24 PM

  Days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar won back his position as the top Democratic member on a powerful House panel that oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Laredo Democrat forfeited his role as chair of the Appropriations subcommittee on... more »

• Trump slams pardoned Democratic congressman as 'disloyal' for not switching parties

  December 7, 2025 5:54 PM

  Donald Trump is angry that Rep. Henry Cuellar is running again as a Democrat rather than switch parties after the president pardoned the Texas congressman and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case. Trump blasted Cuellar for "Such a lack of LOYALTY," suggesting the Republican president might... more »

• Congressman Henry Cuellar calling for investigation into his prosecutors following presidential pardon Play Video

  December 5, 2025 11:05 PM

  Days after receiving a presidential pardon on bribery and conspiracy charges, Congressman Henry Cuellar is calling for an investigation into the prosecutors who charged him and his wife. In a Friday interview with Channel 5 News, Cuellar said the indictment was unfair and politically motivated. “[Prosecutors] did other... more »

• Supreme Court’s map ruling sends Texas Democrats toward potential primaries, retirement or higher office bids

  December 5, 2025 4:02 PM

  WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett was in and then he was out. Then, he was back in. The Austin Democrat’s reelection plans have ping-ponged as the Legislature’s new congressional maps winded their way through the courts. Drawn at the behest of President Donald Trump, the new map is... more »

• ‘Now we can get back to work:’ Henry Cuellar reacts after receiving pardon from President Trump Play Video

  December 3, 2025 7:53 PM

  Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar said he is thankful and he and his wife were pardoned on Wednesday by President Donald Trump in a federal bribery and conspiracy case. “I want to thank President Donald Trump for this action he took on behalf of my wife and family, I want... more »

• Henry Cuellar faces scant opposition in South Texas Democratic primary

  December 3, 2025 3:46 PM

  Editor’s note : This story has been updated to reflect President Donald Trump’s pardon of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which was announced shortly after this article was published. In 2022, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar narrowly defeated a progressive challenger after the FBI raided his home and office weeks before... more »

• Trump pardons Rep. Henry Cuellar in bribery and conspiracy case

  December 3, 2025 10:56 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump pardoned Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case on Wednesday, citing what he called a "weaponized" justice system. Trump, who has argued that his own legal troubles were a partisan witch hunt, said on social... more »

• Henry Cuellar sole Texas Democrat to vote for House bill to reopen the government

  November 12, 2025 8:22 PM

  U.S. House OKs funding deal to reopen government with support from Texas Republicans by Marijke Friedman and Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune November 12, 2025 The U.S. House on Wednesday passed the Senate’s funding deal to end the country’s longest-ever government shutdown, sending the legislation... more »

• Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadline

  October 25, 2025 4:54 PM

  McALLEN — Mexico failed to deliver millions of gallons of water to South Texas farmers, in defiance of a 1944 treaty. Now, members of Texas’ congressional delegation are calling on the Trump administration to make Mexico’s failure a part of upcoming trade negotiations — including new sanctions if necessary. ... more »

• ‘We should not blame each other’: Valley congress members react to ongoing government shutdown Play Video

  October 11, 2025 5:57 PM

  A standstill among Democrats and Republicans — including those from the Rio Grande Valley — remains in effect. The federal government remains in a shutdown after lawmakers failed to come up with a solution to fund it. The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term... more »

• EXPLAINER: How the new congressional maps will impact the Valley Play Video

  August 28, 2025 6:26 PM

  The newly redrawn Congressional map is one step closer to becoming law. A bill calling for the new map was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk on Wednesday after it passed in the Texas Senate over the weekend. Legal battles are already emerging. According to The Associated Press,... more »

• Judge dismisses 2 counts against Henry Cuellar, moves bribery trial to next year

  August 14, 2025 4:46 PM

  HOUSTON (AP) — A judge on Thursday granted a request by federal prosecutors to dismiss two of the 14 counts against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife, as part of a federal bribery and conspiracy indictment. The judge also ordered that their trial, which had been set... more »

• In draft congressional map, Texas Republicans bet big that gains with Latino voters will persist

  August 3, 2025 3:06 PM

  " In draft congressional map, Texas Republicans bet big that gains with Latino voters will persist " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign... more »

• Lawmakers call for public hearing in the Valley over redistricting plans Play Video

  July 29, 2025 2:09 PM

  Redistricting discussions are currently happening in Austin, and there's a chance this could affect all Rio Grande Valley districts. Some local lawmakers now want a hearing in the Valley. The districts are currently represented by Henry Cuellar, Monica De La Cruz and Vicente Gonzalez. "For the Valley,... more »

• As Texas Republicans prepare for mid-decade redistricting, cautionary tales loom from the past

  July 10, 2025 12:04 PM

  " As Texas Republicans prepare for mid-decade redistricting, cautionary tales loom from the past " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief... more »

• Congressman Cuellar meets with Starr County hospital officials over proposed Medicaid cuts Play Video

  June 20, 2025 5:50 PM

  Congressman Henry Cuellar said he’s concerned over proposed cuts to Medicaid. On Thursday, Cuellar met with hospital officials in Rio Grande City to discuss the cuts that are part of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Cuellar said the cuts would lead to thousands of people in his... more »

• Congressman Cuellar reacts to recent ICE raids Play Video

  June 20, 2025 5:32 PM

  Congressman Henry Cuellar met with McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos over recent immigration arrests in the area. “Criminals, all those folks, I'll be first one to say get 'em out,” Cuellar said. “[Those] working in the sun — there's a lot of people that don't want to do that so... more »

• Valley congress members react to passage of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ Play Video

  May 22, 2025 8:38 PM

  On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was a priority for President Donald Trump. The budget bill was approved 215-214, with Democrats opposed, according to the Associated Press. The bill now heads to the Senate. In the Rio Grande Valley, congress members... more »

• Local Congressman Discusses Impacts of Proposed Spending Bill Play Video

  December 17, 2019 6:03 PM

  WESLACO – The annual budget for the United States government is one step closer to getting approved. Part of the nearly $1.4 trillion budget includes border security. After the House of Representatives voted to pass the budget Tuesday , CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with Congressman Henry Cuellar. This... more »

• More Than 200 Entry-Level Jobs at CBP Coming Soon Play Video

  October 3, 2019 5:36 PM

  WESLACO – More job openings coming soon for Customs and Border Protection. Congressman Henry Cuellar announced more than 200 entry level positions will be added. The agency’s manpower strained over the summer. During the migrant surge, Border Patrol pulled many agents from duties on the border to... more »

• Appropriations Bill Allows Starr Co. Leaders to Discuss Border Wall Designs Play Video

  February 15, 2019 5:20 PM

  ROMA – Leaders in Star County will have the chance to have their border wall design plans be seen by the federal government. The new 2019 Appropriations Bill was signed into law Friday; it gives cities in Starr County the chance to have an impact on decisions regarding the... more »

• Fondos para Muro Incluyen Proteger Varias Zonas Play Video

  February 15, 2019 8:13 AM

  MISSION – El congresista del Valle Henry Cuellar envió un comunicado informando sobre algunas provisiones existentes en la propuesta ley de gastos las cuales darían protección a varias zonas a lo largo del Río Grande. Nuestra reportera Yuridia González nos amplía la información. Vea video adjunto para el... more »

• Valley Congressman Speaks about Gov't Shutdown Play Video

  January 21, 2019 10:08 PM

  WESLACO – One of the Rio Grande Valley’s Congressional Representatives is speaking out about the shutdown and the impact on border security. KRGV’s Sierra Pizarro spoke with Congressman Henry Cuellar over the phone. Cuellar explains he is in Washington, where Congress continues to pitch proposals to end the... more »

• Congressman Cuellar Reacts to Shutdown Play Video

  January 20, 2018 6:20 PM

  WASHINGTON D.C.--The government is officially shutdown. Congressman Henry Cuellar said he voted to keep the government open because he knows how this will impact the Rio Grande Valley. "This has an income disruption to the valley. This will have an impact on programs and services from veteran, to the FDA,... more »

• Congresista Henry Cuellar Habla sobre Ataque en Virginia

  June 14, 2017 4:31 PM

  WESLACO – Un representante del Valle del Rio Grande habló vía satelital sobre la balacera del miércoles en Alexandria, Virginia. El Representante de los Estados Unidos, Henry Cuellar, le dijo a CHANNEL 5 NEWS que cuenta con información limitada sobre el incidente pero espera obtener más detalles. “No sabemos el... more »

• Congressman Henry Cuellar Speaks About Border Wall Play Video

  January 28, 2017 5:44 PM

  MCALLEN--Valley congressman Henry Cuellar said the proposed border wall is all "showmanship" for President Trump. "I think what's going to happen...my opinion...they're going to build some miles. And the border patrol, I think you heard me say this in December, I've been asked already...tell us some strategic places to put... more »