Some Democrats are uneasy about a push to restore Rep. Henry Cuellar to a powerful committee role following a pardon from President Donald Trump, potentially complicating his bid to regain influence over federal spending.
Cuellar relinquished his post as the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing Homeland Security funding in 2024 after he was indicted on federal corruption charges. But following Trump’s pardon last week, party leaders have indicated that he is now eligible to retake the post under caucus rules.
But not all of his fellow House Democrats are comfortable with a lawmaker accused of bribery and other offenses regaining direct control over more than $60 billion in annual spending, especially with a parallel Ethics Committee investigation still in motion. Compounding these concerns are Cuellar’s relatively conservative views on border policy and his potential sway over the budgets for agencies including Border Patrol and ICE.
The matter is in the hands of the 27 Democratic members of the House Appropriations Committee, who are set to take a secret ballot vote Thursday to determine Cuellar’s future on the panel.
Several have private misgivings, and the fact that the vote is even happening means at least one Democratic appropriator privately objected to Cuellar’s return as ranking member. Otherwise, he would have been approved by acclamation.
“That position is critical — it’s Homeland Security,” said a Democratic appropriator granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations. “Your moral values are important — at least mine are — and I can’t look at myself in the mirror and vote for him.”
Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, who has served as the top Democrat on Homeland Security since Cuellar was indicted, could vote to keep Cuellar out so she can keep the job. Another appropriator, Rep. Grace Meng of New York, said Wednesday she was undecided on the matter.
Other wild cards include Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, who led a push to formally reprimand a Democratic colleague last month, and Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois, who might vote in state solidarity with Underwood. Quigley had been leapfrogged by a more senior lawmaker who returned to the panel and has voiced criticism of Democratic leaders since then.
A spokesperson for Cuellar declined to comment.
The veteran Texas Democrat has been quietly canvassing members about regaining his role and reassuring those in his party who question the optics of wiping away an indictment sought by former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department at a time when the party is focusing on Trump’s alleged ethical violations.
Top party leaders have not weighed in directly on the matter. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that Cuellar was likely to regain his committee leadership position, citing the caucus rules, while Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Appropriations Democrat, in a statement merely acknowledged the Thursday vote.
“We are holding a meeting tomorrow to discuss several issues, including who will serve as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee,” the statement said.
The dilemma comes as some Democrats are making a high-profile push to police ethical transgressions in the party ranks. Last month, almost two dozen Democrats led by Gluesenkamp Perez broke ranks to reprimand outgoing Illinois Rep. Chuy García for apparently engineering his surprise retirement announcement to ensure a favored ally would succeed him.
Democrats have railed against Trump’s use of his clemency powers, which has benefited political allies and major donors. Cuellar’s pardon puts him in the company of such figures as former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and ex-Rep. George Santos, who are odious to Democrats.
“I’ve had nothing but good interactions with Henry in Congress, but we can’t be the party of following the law and say it’s just fine to break it and get a pardon from Trump,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who is running for Senate.
Several other Democrats this week aired criticism of Trump’s pardons without specifically commenting on Cuellar and his bid to regain power inside the Democratic Caucus.
“President Trump’s continued efforts to pardon politicians that are either convicted or accused of corruption is just wrong,” said Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.). “And this is exactly the kind of problem that causes so many Americans to lose trust and faith in our politics.”
Kim, a former member of the House, succeeded Sen. Bob Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat who is currently serving a prison sentence for bribery and other charges.
“I don’t agree with any of the president’s pardons of members of Congress,” said Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), who is also running for Senate.
Cuellar was indicted on federal corruption charges that alleged he took some $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities. Still, the veteran lawmaker remains largely popular with his fellow Democrats, some of whom argued that with the indictment wiped away, the process had run its course.
“Under our system of laws, you’re still innocent until proven guilty,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “He was indicted but never went to trial — was never proven to be guilty, never proven to be innocent, because there was no trial, but the pardon overrides that. That’s how the ball bounces.”
Others deflected criticism to Trump, who suggested in social media posts after the pardon that he expected Cuellar to retire or switch parties and run as a Republican in a gesture of gratitude. Instead Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat almost immediately after the pardon came through, and with the legal cloud over his campaign lifted, it increases the chances his seat will remain in Democratic hands in 2026.
“Nothing else seems to compare to this president and the abuse of the pardon power to get things he wants, including potentially people switching their party affiliation,” said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio).
Cuellar’s allies quietly insist he shouldn’t be sidelined given his unique ability to win a South Texas district that Republicans have targeted for years — and recently redrew in hopes of ousting him. Now, with the pardon, even some Republicans acknowledge he’s in prime position to remain in Congress — and potentially hold a gavel next year if the majority flips.
“He’s going to have a very merry Christmas,” said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
Calen Razor and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report
