#US REP FILEMON VELA FULL#
#US REP FILEMON VELA REGISTRATION#

Joaquín Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro and others. The firm has represented clients on both sides of the political spectrum and has employed many high-profile Texas officials over the years, including at one time Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Who is Akin Gump?Īkin Gump is one of the most profitable and respected lobbying firms in the nation. The port spokesperson did not answer questions about this. Holman said the other two lobbyists could be permitted to engage the House and Senate.

#US REP FILEMON VELA REGISTRATION#

In the lobbying registration paperwork, Akin Gump stated Vela was one of three total lobbyists working on behalf of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority. The deepening is being done alongside the construction of the new Harbor Bridge, which will be tall enough for the larger vessels to clear the bridge. Army Corps of Engineers earmarked $157 million to finish the project, which began in May 2019 to widen and dredge the channel to a depth of 54 feet to accommodate larger vessels capable of carrying a greater amount and wider variety of goods. In a heated meeting before Corpus Christi City Council this week, the longest-serving city-appointed port commissioner, David Engel, told city representatives he was confident the port would secure the remaining federal funding needed to complete the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project. Instead, he said that information would be disclosed in the firm's next quarterly disclosure in July. Vela did not answer whether lobbying for the port was his only assignment with Akin Gump. In an email to the Caller-Times, Vela said he would not be lobbying the House and Senate until April 2023, saying he takes 'compliance obligations seriously and will continue to comply with applicable post-employment restrictions.' By law, he would not engage Congress until March 2023. The law states former House members must wait one year to engage in compensated lobbying efforts.

#US REP FILEMON VELA FULL#

Regulations barring some officials from jumping into lobbying right after leaving the public sector exist, but they are 'weak and full of holes,' Holman said. 'Former members of Congress are so valued as revolvers because they've got the connections on Capitol Hill that open doors and get returned phone calls that other lobbyists don't have,' he said. That influence can be used to great effect on behalf of businesses, corporations or wealthy special interest groups.

The contact lists and prestige accrued during an elected official's time in Congress make them some of the most highly valued lobbyists in Washington, Holman said. 'It is a rampant problem here on Capitol Hill.' We all wish Congressman Vela and his wife Rose the best as they prepare to begin this next chapter of their lives.'The 'revolving door' is one of the most pernicious influence-peddling tools available to wealthy special interests and corporations, especially,' said Craig Holman, a government ethics lobbyist at the liberal watchdog group Public Citizen. “Members of Congress look forward to continuing to benefit from Congressman Vela’s leadership for the rest of his term. His patriotic leadership on the Armed Services Committee has helped keep the American people safe, while honoring our nation’s values. On the Agriculture Committee, he has been a force for good for Texas and America, helping ensure that producers and farmers can continue to feed America and hungry families can put food on the table.

“Over a lifetime of public service, in both the Congress and the courtroom, Congressman Vela has fought For The People.

His leadership in the Congress will be missed when he departs. “Congressman Filemon Vela is a proud son of Brownsville, who has dedicated decades to helping advance justice, opportunity and prosperity for the people of the Rio Grande Valley. San Francisco - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the retirement of Congressman Filemon Vela of Texas at the end of the 117th Congress:

Us rep filemon vela