More than 160 business and community leaders gathered at the Norris Conference Center for part four of the Chamber’s highly anticipated Congressional Series. The event featured U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and his special guest Francisco Cabeza De Vaca, Governor of Tamulipas. The Chamber’s Chairman of the Board Shaun Kennedy moderated the conversation.
Kennedy kicked-off the discussion with questions about the status of NAFTA. Cuellar stressed the importance of a tri-lateral agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Despite President Trump’s announcement that a bilateral agreement has been reached with Mexico, he “feels very confident that at the end of the day NAFTA has to and will include Mexico, Canada and the U.S.” Cuellar called on business leaders in the room to urge members of Congress to support NAFTA 2.0 once a trilateral agreement is agreed to.
Cabeza De Vaca believes NAFTA is headed in the right direction. “Fifty percent of commerce that goes through Mexico and the United States goes through the State of Tamulipas,” Cabeza De Vaca said. He also expressed that the vibrant economies of both Mexico and the U.S. can be contributed to NAFTA.
Despite all of the political rhetoric in Washington about trade, Cuellar and Cabeza De Vaca ensured business leaders in the room that they are facilitating trade in Laredo between the U.S. and Mexico. “1.3 billion dollars between the U.S. and Mexico is being traded every day,” Cuellar said. Both are committed to finding new ways to move trade more quickly and efficiently.
Cuellar touched on his efforts to help San Antonio secure a non-stop flight to Reagan national. He stressed that we have the rationale for a non-stop flight but face a tough political battle that all of the Bexar County Delegation is willing to help fight.
The conversation concluded with a discussion on Energy. “Due to energy reforms of 2012, $200 billion dollars will be invested in Mexico and 40% of that will be invested Tamulipas,” Cabeza De Vaca said. He explained how the energy reforms have created new opportunities in Tamulipas and the U.S, especially with nonconventional drilling. Cuellar touched on how NAFTA has helped the energy sector grow in North America. He also stressed the importance for Mexico and the U.S. to work together on energy to help North American lead the world in energy production.
Rep. Cuellar is currently serving his seventh term in Congress, where he works as a member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, the Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security, and Defense. In those roles, Rep. Cuellar consistently delivers tens of millions of dollars for local schools, highways, universities, and military bases.
The final part of the Chamber’s 2018 Congressional Series will take place October 22, 2018, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk Downtown with Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX).
To view the video of the Congressman Henry Cuellar event, click here. To view pictures of the event, click here.
