The No. 3 Democrat in the U.S. House charged into a raging national firestorm over abortion rights Wednesday as he visited Texas to campaign with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a rare Democrat who opposes the practice, in his hotly contested primary runoff.
Sign up for The BriefSAN ANTONIO — The No. 3 Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives charged into a raging national firestorm over abortion rights Wednesday as he visited Texas to campaign with U.S. Rep.House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn’s trip was announced over a week ago, but it fell two days after Politico published a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that favors overturning Roe v. Wade.
Addressing a crowd of about 80 people from the stage of his campaign rally, Clyburn hailed Cuellar for his role as a chief deputy whip, saying together they have been “very effective in getting Joe Biden’s [agenda] across the finish line.” He joked that he does not always agree with Cuellar just like he did not always agree with his late wife of 58 years. But he said people do not “grow” if they speak only with those they agree with.
The runoff was relatively low-key until news broke Monday about the Supreme Court’s intentions, which set off Democratic leaders vowing to fight back in Congress. But Cisneros and other progressives suggested those were hollow words if leaders continued to stand by Cuellar. Asked about the high court’s leaked opinion after the rally, Cuellar reiterated a statement he issued Tuesday evening. He criticized the draft opinion, saying it is “not based on precedent” and “not incremental in nature like they should be.” But he told reporters he is a Catholic and “you know my position,” adding that many people in his district believe in “at least some sort of limitation on exception.
“I have never had an abortion, would never have an abortion, none of my children have had one — thank God none of my grandchildren — but I don’t tell people what to do with their bodies,” she said. “So no, I’m not pro-abortion — I’m pro-choice and Henry is not, and that’s OK. I’m a Catholic, too. Henry and I can agree to disagree. That’s the beauty of Henry Cuellar.”of San Antonio, a Cuellar endorser who spoke at the rally, also said her views on abortion did not align with Cuellar’s.