What's happened
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, has been indicted by the Justice Department for allegedly accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijani government-controlled oil company and a Mexican bank. Cuellar has denied the charges and plans to seek re-election. The National Republican Congressional Committee has challenged Democrats to call for Cuellar's resignation, but only one Democrat has done so.
Why it matters
The indictment of Rep. Cuellar on bribery charges is significant as he becomes the third sitting lawmaker to face such charges in the 118th Congress. The case highlights the ongoing issue of corruption in politics and raises questions about ethical standards and accountability among elected officials.
What the papers say
Andrew Solender of Axios reports that Rep. Cuellar is receiving a quieter response from colleagues compared to other indicted lawmakers. Erin Doherty, also from Axios, notes that former President Trump defended Cuellar on social media, claiming he was targeted due to his border policies. Business Insider UK provides details on the bribery scandal involving Cuellar and the accusations of accepting bribes from Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank.
How we got here
Rep. Henry Cuellar was indicted by the Justice Department for allegedly accepting bribes from an Azerbaijani government-controlled oil company and a Mexican bank. The indictment accuses Cuellar and his wife of receiving nearly $600,000 in bribes over seven years. Cuellar has denied the charges and plans to run for re-election.
Common question
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Henry Roberto Cuellar is the U.S Representative for Texas's 28th congressional district, a position he has held since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district extends from the Rio Grande to the suburbs of San Antonio.
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