Rep. Cuellar Secures Key Protections for Federal Health and Research Funding in South Texas

This press release from Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was published on 2026-02-09 and titled "Rep. Cuellar Secures Key Protections for Federal Health and Research Funding in South Texas". It focuses on agriculture.

Rep. Cuellar Secures Key Protections for Federal Health and Research Funding in South Texas

Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), highlighted provisions he helped secure in the most recent appropriations package, which was signed into law, that prevent federal health agencies from delaying or canceling grants by cutting the staff needed to administer them: “South Texas depends on federal health and research dollars to keep clinics open, support rural providers, and protect public health. I worked to stop disruptions that would have hit Laredo and communities across our region. “This bill includes enforceable guardrails to make sure agencies cannot undermine grants by cutting the personnel needed to process and manage them. That means funding administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, among many others, can keep moving as Congress intended. “These dollars are not abstract. They support patient care, mental health services and frontline public health work. I will keep fighting to ensure federal health funding reaches South Texans reliably and on time.” ### Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State. Sign up to receive Dr. Cuellar’s Email Newsletters . Click here for Dr. Cuellar's Facebook , X , or YouTube Channel .