[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS

Legislative Integrity Monitor

Goblin House Intelligence

Henry Cuellar

Democratic · Representative, TX ·28

Henry Cuellar is the Democratic U.S. Representative (TX's 28th congressional district). The platform has 9 voting records on file (2020-2025) and 48 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components

73 HIGH

Connection Density 20%

41 → 8

Donor Influence 15%

73 → 11

Silence Risk 25%

100 → 25

Contradiction Risk 25%

87 → 22

Intelligence Volume 15%

60 → 9

Constituency Deviation 0%

26 → 0

Voting Misalignment 0%

1 → 0

% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Car-dependent commuting: 74.4% drive alone; 1.0% use public transit; mean commute 25.5 min

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Cook Partisan Voting Index (2026 rating): D+6 — Lean Seat; R shift +8 from prior cycle

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Unemployment rate: 6.1% (national: 3.5%) — elevated, reflecting border economy volatility

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's degree or higher: 21.2% (national: 33.7%) — far below national average

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median age: 33.7 (national: 38.5) — significantly younger; largest cohort is 10-19 at 16.1%

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership rate: 68.3% (national: 65.5%)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty rate: 15.8% (national: 12.4%) — significantly above average; 22% lack a high school diploma

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Hispanic/Latino population share: 75% — one of the most Hispanic districts in the United States

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population (2024 estimate): 789,743 — one of the fastest-growing districts in South Texas

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median household income: $65,728 (national: $37,585)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: SB 8 (2021): Texas Heartbeat Act — effectively banning abortion at ~6 weeks with private civil enforcement (2021) — passed, margin Enacted by legislature; U.S. Supreme Court allowed to stand

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Texas Proposition 1 (2023): Right to Farm, Ranch, Timber, and Wildlife (2023) — passed, margin 79% Yes to 21% No

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 92 (share 0.1)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 62 (share 0.14)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 211 (share 0.12)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 48-49 (share 0.18)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Top employer: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Laredo Sector) (2500 employees)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Laredo Medical Center (2000 employees)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Top employer: International Bank of Commerce (IBC) (3500 employees)

secondary ✓ Verified

[constituency_baseline] Top employer: H-E-B Grocery Company (4000 employees)

secondary ✓ Verified

CoreCivic donor Cuellar and Rep. Sanford Bishop each received $21,000 from private prison companies — more than any other sitting member of Congress. CoreCivic is the other…

AIPAC / United Democracy Project donor Top contributor in 2023-2024 cycle at $43,300 ($33,300 individuals, $10,000 PAC). Pro-Israel industry contributed $117,750. AIPAC routed $247,031 via 285…

Vicente Gonzalez fellow Democratic vote on anti-trans sports ban Cuellar was one of only 2 House Democrats (with Vicente Gonzalez) to vote for the anti-transgender sports ban (H.R. 28).

Sanford D. Bishop donor Cuellar and Rep. Sanford Bishop each received $21,000 from private prison companies — more than any other sitting member of Congress.

Bonnie Watson Coleman vote_divergence Watson Coleman voted nay on H.R. 21 (Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act); Henry Cuellar was the only Democrat to vote for the bill, showing a policy…

Joaquin Castro Legislative contrast (different vote on immigration) On H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act, 2025-01-07), Castro voted nay while fellow Texas Representative Cuellar voted yea, reflecting divergent positions on mandatory…

Lamantia Family PAC donor $7,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00932467/

Democratic Majority Fund donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (4 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00844720/

American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00797670/

Tractor Supply Company Political Action Committee donor $6,500 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00763664/

Sd PAC donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00757419/

Us Energy PAC (The PAC Of American Exploration & Production Council, Inc.) donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00755454/

Across The Aisle PAC donor $9,500 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (7 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00696591/

Plains All American Gp LLC PAC donor $7,500 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00686287/

National Pecan Federation Inc. PAC (Pecan PAC) donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00682617/

Garmin International Inc Political Action Committee donor $5,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00660894/

No Labels PAC donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00629709/

Seasonal Employer PAC donor $5,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00626564/

1-800 Contacts Inc. PAC donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00621912/

Jobs, Education, & Families First Jeff PAC donor $10,000 to Henry Cuellar's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00617803/

Bill	Vote	Date	Alignment
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood…	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
Water Resources Development Act	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
PROOF Act	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United…	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
Retire through Ownership Act	Yea	2026-09-16	unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
GUARD Act	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers…	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes…	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United…	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing…	Nay	2026-09-15	unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in…	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing…	Nay	2026-09-15	unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act	Yea	2026-09-15	unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act	Yea	2026-09-14	unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act	Yea	2026-09-14	unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act	Yea	2026-09-03	unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act	Yea	2026-09-02	unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require…	Nay	2026-09-02	unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R…	Nay	2026-09-01	unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period…	Yea	2026-09-01	unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period…	Yea	2026-09-01	unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms…	Yea	2026-09-01	unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards	Yea	2026-09-01	unknown
AGOA Extension Act	Yea	2026-09-01	unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R…	Nay	2026-09-01	unknown
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act	Yea	2026-08-31	unknown

Last contradiction analysis: Never

statement_vs_disclosure 90/100

Platform: "Cuellar stated after his indictment: 'I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.' He pleaded not guilty…

[ Show full platform position ]

Cuellar stated after his indictment: 'I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.' He pleaded not guilty to all 14 charges.

Vote: on "On December 3, 2025, President Trump granted Cuellar a 'full and unconditional PARDON.' Cuellar…"

[ Show full analysis ]

Cuellar publicly maintained absolute innocence of all 14 federal bribery and money laundering charges, yet accepted a 'full and unconditional' presidential pardon from Donald Trump — an act that, under Supreme Court precedent (Burdick v. United States), carries an 'imputation of guilt.' Cuellar then characterized the pardon as 'dismissing an injustice,' despite the DOJ indictment presenting extensive evidence including text messages where Cuellar told an Azerbaijani diplomat he had 'submitted language today' and the diplomat called him 'El Jefe.' The two sources — Cuellar's public statement via Courthouse News and the ANCA press release detailing the pardon — come from independent outlets with different hostnames.

reversal 90/100

Platform: "Cuellar voted against the Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755) on September 24, 2021 — the lone Democrat out of 218 votes to oppose codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law. The bill would have protected abortion…

[ Show full platform position ]

Cuellar voted against the Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755) on September 24, 2021 — the lone Democrat out of 218 votes to oppose codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law. The bill would have protected abortion access nationwide against state-level bans like Texas's SB 8.

Vote: on "Cuellar voted for the Laken Riley Act on January 7, 2025, joining 47 other Democrats to require…"

[ Show full analysis ]

Cuellar was the lone House Democrat to vote against codifying Roe v. Wade in 2021, then in 2025 voted for the Laken Riley Act (mandating detention for undocumented immigrants), the SAVE Act (voter ID restrictions), and the anti-transgender sports ban — all bills overwhelmingly opposed by the Democratic caucus. His voting pattern represents the most conservative record of any House Democrat, directly contradicting the party platform he runs under. The Texas Democratic Party formally moved to condemn him for these votes, citing his 'proven track record of disregarding the values of the Texas Democratic Party.'

same_source_inconsistency 30/100

Platform: "Cuellar voted against the PRO Act (H.R. 2474) on February 6, 2020 — one of only 7 House Democrats to oppose the labor-backed bill. He stated the bill 'provides a one-size fits all approach that will stifle innovation…

[ Show full platform position ]

Cuellar voted against the PRO Act (H.R. 2474) on February 6, 2020 — one of only 7 House Democrats to oppose the labor-backed bill. He stated the bill 'provides a one-size fits all approach that will stifle innovation, take power from workers to union bosses.' The Communications Workers of America said the seven Democrats who voted against it 'betrayed working people.'

Vote: on "Cuellar hosted a union roundtable with more than a dozen South Texas labor leaders in June 2023…"

[ Show full analysis ]

[auto-downgraded: both claims come from the same source host] Cuellar told labor leaders at a 2023 roundtable that he 'proudly represents a district with a strong union presence' and would 'advocate for policies that empower workers,' yet voted against the PRO Act — the most significant pro-union legislation in decades — and opposed H.R. 2550 (Protecting America's Workforce Act) which would have restored collective bargaining rights for over a million federal workers. The CWA stated Cuellar 'betrayed working people.' His AFL-CIO score is 77% for 2025, well below the 97% average for House Democrats. Both sources are from Cuellar's own official House website, but represent different events separated by three years.

Last silence detection: Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:40:07 GMT (via scheduled run)

Cuellar has never hosted an in-person town hall — a pattern cited by the Texas Democratic Party as grounds for condemnation

7788d silent

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

Expected position: As the elected representative of 789,743 constituents in a majority-Hispanic border district with 15.8% poverty since 2005, Cuellar would be expected to hold regular open, in-person town halls where voters can ask unfiltered questions — especially given that his district has been described as a 'safe Democratic seat' where incumbents face limited electoral pressure. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: The Texas Democratic Party's May 2025 proposed resolution to condemn Cuellar cited 'never hosting an in-person town hall' as one of the justifications, alongside his votes breaking party lines and federal corruption charges. A 2021 analysis stated Cuellar and Rep. Vicente González 'have never done town halls or any public facing events for their constituents.' Cuellar's office did not dispute this characterization in its response. While Cuellar has been active on other fronts — issuing press releases (including his lengthy statement against H.R. 1), hosting union roundtables, and maintaining social media — he has avoided open, unfiltered public forums where constituents could directly challenge him on his votes against abortion rights, his indictment, or his alliance with Trump. The last documented town hall on his official website appears to be a 2011 Budget Town Hall in Laredo. Primary URL: https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-democratic-party-considers-sanctioning-henry-cuellar-over-federal-indictment-votes

Cuellar refused to answer whether he supports a Gaza ceasefire — aligning with AIPAC's position while 75% of his district is Hispanic and aligned with progressive foreign policy preferences

238d silent

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

Expected position: As the representative of a district where AIPAC spent nearly $2 million to defend him in 2022 but where constituents have progressive views on foreign policy, Cuellar would be expected to take a clear public position on a ceasefire rather than remaining publicly silent. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Cuellar's public statements on Israel-Gaza have been limited to pro-Israel framing. His office press releases emphasize Israel's 'defensive strikes against the Iranian regime' and hostage releases. AIPAC contributed $43,300 in the 2023-2024 cycle and was his #2 payor in the 2022 cycle ($247,031). Cuellar has not issued a statement or press release calling for a ceasefire, pausing military aid, or addressing civilian casualties in Gaza. His silence on this issue contrasts with his vocal positions on border security and immigration, where he frequently engages with media. The progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros built significant support in the district partly around Cuellar's foreign policy positions, yet Cuellar's public-facing communications on Gaza remained notably absent during the heaviest period of civilian casualties. Primary URL: https://cuellar.house.gov/news/

ideological & single-issue

Stanley Black & Decker Inc. Political Action Committee, No Labels PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2026)) — interest area: ideological & single-issue

other / unclassified

Outdoor Amusement Business Association PAC, National Assn Of Landscape Professionals PAC, Seasonal Employer PAC, National Pecan Federation Inc. PAC (Pecan PAC), Across The Aisle PAC, Sd PAC, Lamantia Family PAC (amounts: $7,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $5,000…

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

crypto & fintech

H&R Block Inc. Political Action Committee (Blockpac) (amounts: $6,500 (2024)) — interest area: crypto & fintech

law & lobbying firms

American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2026)) — interest area: law & lobbying firms

colleagues' leadership pacs

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

Fair Shot PAC, Democrats Reshaping America (Dreampac), Texas First PAC, Hmp, Jobs, Education, & Families First Jeff PAC, Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC), Democratic Majority Fund, AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America (amounts: $10,000 (2026), $6,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs

corporate pacs, industry unlisted

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

Pepsico, Inc. Concerned Citizens Fund, Trinity Industries Employee Political Action Committee (Sf) Inc., The Geo Group, Inc. Political Action Committee, Lhc Group, Inc PAC, Osi Systems Inc PAC Osi PAC, 1-800 Contacts Inc. PAC, Garmin International Inc Political Action Committee, The Schwan Company PAC (amounts: $7,359 (2024), $7,500 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2024), $5,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: corporate pacs, industry unlisted

other candidates' committees

Texas Farm Bureau Friends Of Agriculture Fund (Agfund) Inc. (Texas Farm Bureau Agfund) (amounts: $9,600 (2024)) — interest area: other candidates' committees

party committees

Blue Dog PAC, Chc Bold PAC, New Democrat Coalition Action Fund (amounts: $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2024), $7,500 (2026)) — interest area: party committees

party & leadership pacs

Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC), Blue Dog PAC, AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America, Chc Bold PAC, New Democrat Coalition Action Fund, Democratic Majority Fund (amounts: $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $5,000…

[ Show full donor-interest summary ]

Swisher International Inc PAC Alcohol & tobacco $5,000 (2024)

Wine And Spirits Wholesalers Of America, Inc. PAC Alcohol & tobacco $5,000 (2024)

National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) Alcohol & tobacco $6,000 (2026)

Altria Group, Inc PAC Alcohol & tobacco $7,500 (2024)

Reynolds American Inc. PAC (Rai PAC) Alcohol & tobacco $6,000 (2024)

Democratic Majority Fund Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2026)

Ca Luv PAC (California Leadership United For Victory PAC) Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2026)

New Democrat Coalition Action Fund Party committees $7,500 (2026)

Chc Bold PAC Party committees $5,000 (2024)

Blue Dog PAC Party committees $10,000 (2026)

AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2026)

Lamantia Family PAC Other / unclassified $7,000 (2026)

Democratic Majority Fund Party & leadership PACs $10,000 (2026)

American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $10,000 (2026)

Tractor Supply Company Political Action Committee Retail & consumer $6,500 (2024)

Topic	Priority	Alignment	Deviation
Environmental Quality and Localized Pollution	62	55	45
Healthcare Access and Costs	85	55	45
Jobs, Wages, and Cost of Living	92	65	35
Border Security and Immigration	95	70	30
Social Security, Medicare, and Seniors	68	70	30
Government Accountability and Ethics	70	75	25
Public Safety and Border Law Enforcement	78	75	25
Government Spending, Taxes, and Deficit	74	78	22
Education and Workforce Development	82	80	20
Trade and Cross-Border Commerce	85	85	15
Energy and Oil & Gas (South Texas / Eagle Ford)	88	85	15
Water Infrastructure and Drought Resilience	80	90	10

No platform commitments archived

No committee memberships recorded

Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

Component	Weight	Signal
Contradiction Risk	30%	Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence	20%	Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density	20%	Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk	15%	Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume	15%	Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation	0%	Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment	0%	Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]

Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains, while 4 elected officials hold documented connections.

$9.4BDonor Contributions

0Money Chains

0Traced Hops

Connected Officials

Bonnie Watson Coleman U.S. House · vote_divergence
Vicente Gonzalez U.S. House · fellow Democratic vote on anti-trans sports ban
Joaquin Castro U.S. House · Legislative contrast (different vote on immigration)
Sanford D. Bishop U.S. House · donor

Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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