Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is finding himself in a bit of a different situation compared to other indicted lawmakers in the current Congress. While he’s facing serious charges, there’s a notable lack of strong reactions from both Democrats and Republicans.
This contrasts sharply with how Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) were treated after their indictments. Menendez, accused of bribery, faced pressure to resign from over half of his Democratic colleagues. Santos, embroiled in scandal, was swiftly expelled from the House after multiple indictments and damning reports.
Cuellar’s indictment, which alleges he received substantial bribes from a government-controlled oil company and a bank, has sparked some attention, but not the same level of outrage. He maintains his innocence and plans to run for re-election.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has called for Cuellar’s resignation, hoping for a similar response from Democrats as they had with Santos. However, only retiring Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) has echoed that sentiment.
Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark have emphasized Cuellar’s right to due process while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. Some Democrats are concerned about appearing hypocritical, given the disparity in reactions compared to Santos.
On the Republican side, leaders like House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Speaker Mike Johnson have taken a more cautious approach, citing a lack of detailed information about Cuellar’s case.
Republicans face a dilemma due to their support for former President Trump, who is also facing legal challenges. Some, like Rep. Kevin Hern, draw parallels between Cuellar and Trump, emphasizing the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold before passing judgment.
Overall, Cuellar’s situation is seen as less sensational compared to Santos, but still warrants attention as the legal process unfolds.
