As an attorney, I have represented clients before judges and juries and found that if anyone had prejudged a case, it would be considered a disqualification.
I made a commitment to my constituents from the very beginning of this process that I would only decide my vote after hearing the evidence and arguments on both sides.
Now that the arguments and facts have been presented, I have decided to vote for both articles of impeachment. The House investigations made it clear: the President pressured a foreign government for his own political gain while withholding congressionally-approved foreign aid, compromising our national security. Additionally, the President obstructed Congress by refusing to cooperate with any attempt to gather the facts.
I did not come to Washington to impeach a President; I ran for Congress to pass meaningful legislation for the district that elected me. This process brings me no joy, however, as a member of Congress, I have an obligation to protect our Constitution and our nation from abuses of power.
A failure to vote yes would be a repudiation of my Constitutional responsibility to check the President and balance our democracy. The President is not above the law, and this Congress must hold him accountable for his actions.
I want to stress that we are still legislating. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed 275 bipartisan bills that address making college affordable, keeping our communities safe, growing small businesses, and lowering healthcare costs for the middle class. Soon we will ratify the USMCA, the largest trade deal that will significantly help farmers, manufacturers, workers and consumers in my district and across the country.
I will continue to do the job that the people of Texas’s 28th Congressional District have elected me to do, which is to legislate for my constituents and protect our democracy.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above guest column shows U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar being interviewed by reporters on Capitol Hill. (Photo: AP)
Editor’s Note: Congressman Henry Cuellar of Laredo was the last Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives to announce his position on impeachment of President Trump. Here is his statement in Spanish:
Declaración del Congresista Cuellar Sobre Juicio Político
Como abogado, he representado a clientes ante jueces y jurados y descubrí que si alguien hubiera prejuzgado un caso, se consideraría una descalificación. Me comprometí con mis electores desde el comienzo de este proceso a que solo decidiría mi voto después de escuchar la evidencia y los argumentos de ambas partes.
Ahora que se han presentado los argumentos y los hechos, he decidido votar por ambos artículos de juicio político. Las investigaciones de la Cámara lo dejaron claro: el Presidente presionó a un gobierno extranjero para su propio beneficio político mientras retenía la ayuda extranjera aprobada por el Congreso, comprometiendo nuestra seguridad nacional. Además, el Presidente obstruyó el Congreso al negarse a cooperar con cualquier intento de recopilar los hechos.
No vine a Washington para acusar a un presidente; me postulé al Congreso para aprobar legislación significativa para el distrito que me eligió. Este proceso no me alegra, sin embargo, como miembro del Congreso, tengo la obligación de proteger nuestra Constitución y nuestra nación del abuso de poder.
No votar sí sería un repudio a mi responsabilidad constitucional de verificar al Presidente y equilibrar nuestra democracia. El Presidente no está por encima de la ley, y este Congreso debe responsabilizarlo por sus acciones.
Quiero enfatizar que todavía estamos legislando. La Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos aprobó 275 proyectos de ley bipartidistas que abordan la posibilidad de hacer que la universidad sea asequible, mantener a nuestras comunidades seguras, hacer crecer las pequeñas empresas y reducir los costos de atención médica para la clase media. Pronto ratificaremos el USMCA, el mayor acuerdo comercial que ayudará significativamente a los agricultores, fabricantes, trabajadores y consumidores en mi distrito y en todo el país.
Continuaré haciendo el trabajo que la gente del Distrito 28 del Congreso de Texas me eligió para hacer, que es legislar para mis electores y proteger nuestra democracia.
