Filemon Vela Jr.: Difference between revisions

Filemón Vela
Filemón Vela
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
	In office; January 21, 2021 – March 31, 2022 Serving with Tammy Duckworth, Ken Martin, Gretchen Whitmer
Chair	Jaime Harrison
Preceded by	Grace Meng
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Texas's 34th district
	In office; January 3, 2013 – March 31, 2022
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Mayra Flores
Personal details
Born	Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr.; February 13, 1963 (age 61); Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Rose Rivera (m. 1990)
Relatives	Blanca Vela (mother); Filemon Vela Sr. (father)
Education	Georgetown University (BA); University of Texas at Austin (JD)

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Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr. (/ˈfɪləˌmɒn ˈvɛlə/ FILL-ə-monn VELL-ə; born February 13, 1963)^[1] is an American lobbyist, lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 34th congressional district from 2013 until his resignation in 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Vela was also vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, having been nominated by President Joe Biden.^[2] In March 2022, Vela resigned in the middle of his term to work at Akin Gump.^[3]^[4]

Early life and education

Vela was born in Harlingen, Texas, and raised in nearby Brownsville. His father, Filemon Vela Sr., was a long-serving United States federal judge. The Reynaldo G. Garza–Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse in Brownsville is named in Judge Vela's honor. His mother, Blanca Sanchez Vela, served as Brownsville's first female mayor from 1999 to 2003.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Filemon attended Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University in 1985. During his time at Georgetown, he served as an intern at the Federal Judicial Center, the research and education agency of the federal judicial system. He also served as an intern in Solomon P. Ortiz's office in Washington, D.C. Vela earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1987.^[5]

Career

In Edinburg School District v. Landmark, Vela represented Edinburg to fight for more funding. In Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District v. Landmark, he represented the district in fighting contractors accused of building a poorly constructed school facility.^[8]^{[better source needed]}

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

Vela ran in the newly created 34th congressional district as a Democrat. In the May 29 primary, he ranked first in an eight-candidate field with 40% of the vote.^[9] In the July 31 runoff, Vela defeated Denise Saenz Blanchard, 67% to 33%.^[10]^[11]

In the general election, Vela defeated Republican Jessica Bradshaw, 62% to 36%.^[12]

Tenure

In July 2013, Vela quit the Congressional Hispanic Caucus because of his opposition to the Hoeven-Corker Amendment that tied border security to a pathway to citizenship. He said "erecting more border fence drives a wedge between border communities which are culturally united".^[13]^[14]

On March 22, 2021, Vela announced that he would not seek reelection in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections.^[15]

In August 2021, Vela joined a group of conservative Democrats, dubbed "The Unbreakable Nine", who threatened to derail the Biden administration's $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package meant to tackle the nation's infrastructure.^[16]^[17]

On March 24, 2022, Vela confirmed that he would resign early from Congress to take a job at Akin Gump, a lobbying and law firm.^[3] His resignation officially went into effect before midnight on March 31.^[4]

Committee assignments

Source:^[18]

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Vela's wife, Rose, was a Republican justice on Texas's 13th Court of Appeals from 2007 to 2012.^[23]

Vela is Roman Catholic.^[24]

References

^ Hopkins, Christopher Snow. "Texas, 34th House District". nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
^ Thomas, Ken (January 15, 2021). "Biden Taps Jaime Harrison, Former Senate Candidate, to Lead DNC". Wall Street Journal.
^ ^a ^b Livingston, Abby (March 24, 2022). "U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela will resign early from Congress". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Livingston, Abby (March 31, 2022). "U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela steps down, setting up a heated battle for his South Texas district". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
^ ^a ^b vela.house.gov
^ Johnson, Ty (February 18, 2014). "Former Brownsville mayor, feminist 'trailblazer' Blanca Vela dies at 78". The Monitor (Texas). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Brownsville's former and only female mayor, Blanca Vela, passes away". KVEO. February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Full Biography". Vela.house.gov. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_163_state.htm ^{[dead link‍]}
^ "TX-TopRaces-Glance-Sum". kxxv.com. Retrieved November 8, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ Martin, Gary (July 2, 2013). "Rep. Filemon Vela quits Congressional Hispanic Caucus to protest lawmakers' acceptance of border 'militarization' - Texas on the Potomac". Blog.chron.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ "Filemon Vela quits Hispanic caucus over border surge - Seung Min Kim". Politico.Com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ Nichols, Hans (March 22, 2021). "Rep. Filemon Vela to retire from House ahead of Texas redistricting". Axios. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
^ "Cracks Emerge in Josh Gottheimer's "Unbreakable Nine"". Theintercept.com. August 25, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
^ Bouie, Jamelle (August 24, 2021). "Opinion | The 9 Democrats Making Nancy Pelosi's Life Harder Are Making a Big Mistake - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
^ "About". Congressman Filemon Vela. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
^ "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
^ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
^ "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
^ "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
^ Sanchez, Humberto. "113th Congress: Filemon Vela, D-Texas (34th District)". public.cq.com. Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
^ Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress (PDF) (Report). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2023.

External links

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
Profile at Vote Smart
Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by New constituency	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 34th congressional district 2013–2022	Succeeded by Mayra Flores Elect
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Jim Turner as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Fred Grandy as Former US Representative

[1] Hopkins, Christopher Snow. "Texas, 34th House District". nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.

[2] Thomas, Ken (January 15, 2021). "Biden Taps Jaime Harrison, Former Senate Candidate, to Lead DNC". Wall Street Journal.

[resign-3] Livingston, Abby (March 24, 2022). "U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela will resign early from Congress". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.

[steps_down-4] Livingston, Abby (March 31, 2022). "U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela steps down, setting up a heated battle for his South Texas district". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.

[vela.house.gov-5] vela.house.gov

[6] Johnson, Ty (February 18, 2014). "Former Brownsville mayor, feminist 'trailblazer' Blanca Vela dies at 78". The Monitor (Texas). Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[7] "Brownsville's former and only female mayor, Blanca Vela, passes away". KVEO. February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[8] "Full Biography". Vela.house.gov. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.

[9] "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.

[10] "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.

[11] ttp://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_163_state.htm ^{[dead link‍]}

[12] "TX-TopRaces-Glance-Sum". kxxv.com. Retrieved November 8, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[13] Martin, Gary (July 2, 2013). "Rep. Filemon Vela quits Congressional Hispanic Caucus to protest lawmakers' acceptance of border 'militarization' - Texas on the Potomac". Blog.chron.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.

[14] "Filemon Vela quits Hispanic caucus over border surge - Seung Min Kim". Politico.Com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.

[15] Nichols, Hans (March 22, 2021). "Rep. Filemon Vela to retire from House ahead of Texas redistricting". Axios. Retrieved March 22, 2021.

[16] "Cracks Emerge in Josh Gottheimer's "Unbreakable Nine"". Theintercept.com. August 25, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.

[17] Bouie, Jamelle (August 24, 2021). "Opinion | The 9 Democrats Making Nancy Pelosi's Life Harder Are Making a Big Mistake - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2022.

[18] "About". Congressman Filemon Vela. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

[19] "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.

[20] "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.

[21] "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2018.

[22] "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved January 9, 2019.

[23] Sanchez, Humberto. "113th Congress: Filemon Vela, D-Texas (34th District)". public.cq.com. Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2012.

[24] Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress (PDF) (Report). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|American politician}}
+{{short description|American politician (born 1963)}}
-{{for|his father, the former [[United States District Judge]] of the Southern District of Texas|Filemon Vela Sr.}}
+{{for|his father, the former [[United States district judge]] of the Southern District of Texas|Filemon Vela Sr.}}
 {{use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 | term_end            = March 31, 2022
 | predecessor         = [[Grace Meng]]
-| successor           = [[Mayra Flores]]
+| successor           =
 | state1              = [[Texas]]
 | district1           = {{ushr|TX|34|34th}}
 | term_start1         = January 3, 2013
 | term_end1           = March 31, 2022
-| predecessor1        = Constituency established
+| predecessor1        = ''Constituency established''
 | successor1          = [[Mayra Flores]]
 | birth_name          = Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr.
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 | website             =
 }}
-'''Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɪ|l|ə|ˌ|m|ɒ|n|_|ˈ|v|ɛ|l|ə}} {{Respell|FILL|ə|monn|_|VELL|ə}}; born February 13, 1963)<ref>{{cite web|last=Hopkins|first=Christopher Snow|title=Texas, 34th House District|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/texas-34th-house-district-20121102|work=nationaljournal.com|access-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107190257/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/texas-34th-house-district-20121102|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> is an American lobbyist, lawyer, and politician who served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|TX|34}} from 2013 until his resignation in 2022. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. Vela was also vice chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]], having been nominated by President [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-tap-jaime-harrison-former-senate-candidate-to-lead-dnc-11610649160|title = Biden Taps Jaime Harrison, Former Senate Candidate, to Lead DNC|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = January 15, 2021|last1 = Thomas|first1 = Ken}}</ref> In March 2022, Vela resigned in the middle of his term to work at [[Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld|Akin Gump]], the largest lobbying firm in the U.S.<ref name="resign">{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=March 24, 2022 |title=U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela will resign early from Congress |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/24/filemon-vela-resign/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220324141821/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/24/filemon-vela-resign/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="steps down">{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=March 31, 2022 |title=U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela steps down, setting up a heated battle for his South Texas district |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/31/filemon-vela-resignation/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401002748/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/31/filemon-vela-resignation/ |archive-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>
+'''Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɪ|l|ə|ˌ|m|ɒ|n|_|ˈ|v|ɛ|l|ə}} {{Respell|FILL|ə|monn|_|VELL|ə}}; born February 13, 1963)<ref>{{cite web|last=Hopkins|first=Christopher Snow|title=Texas, 34th House District|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/texas-34th-house-district-20121102|work=nationaljournal.com|access-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107190257/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/texas-34th-house-district-20121102|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> is an American lobbyist, lawyer and politician who served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|TX|34}} from 2013 until his resignation in 2022. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. Vela was also vice chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]], having been nominated by President [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-tap-jaime-harrison-former-senate-candidate-to-lead-dnc-11610649160|title = Biden Taps Jaime Harrison, Former Senate Candidate, to Lead DNC|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = January 15, 2021|last1 = Thomas|first1 = Ken}}</ref> In March 2022, Vela resigned in the middle of his term to work at [[Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld|Akin Gump]].<ref name="resign">{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=March 24, 2022 |title=U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela will resign early from Congress |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/24/filemon-vela-resign/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220324141821/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/24/filemon-vela-resign/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="steps down">{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=March 31, 2022 |title=U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela steps down, setting up a heated battle for his South Texas district |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/31/filemon-vela-resignation/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401002748/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/31/filemon-vela-resignation/ |archive-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>
 ==Early life and education==
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 In July 2013, Vela quit the [[Congressional Hispanic Caucus]] because of his opposition to the [[John Hoeven|Hoeven]]-[[Bob Corker|Corker]] Amendment that tied border security to a [[amnesty|pathway to citizenship]]. He said "erecting more border fence drives a wedge between border communities which are culturally united".<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Gary |url=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/07/rep-filemon-vela-quits-congressional-hispanic-caucus-to-protest-lawmakers-acceptance-of-border-militarization/ |title=Rep. Filemon Vela quits Congressional Hispanic Caucus to protest lawmakers' acceptance of border 'militarization' - Texas on the Potomac |publisher=Blog.chron.com |date=2013-07-02 |access-date=2014-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/filemon-vela-quits-hispanic-caucus-border-surge-93676.html?hp=l8 |title=Filemon Vela quits Hispanic caucus over border surge - Seung Min Kim |publisher=Politico.Com |date=2013-07-02 |access-date=2014-08-19}}</ref>
-On March 22, 2021, Vela announced that he would not seek reelection in the [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Nichols|first=Hans|title=Rep. Filemon Vela to retire from House ahead of Texas redistricting|url=https://www.axios.com/filemon-vela-retire-house-congress-texas-3cb0917c-6e21-4a35-95ac-0d189e799fde.html|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Axios|language=en}}</ref>
+On March 22, 2021, Vela announced that he would not seek reelection in the [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Nichols|first=Hans|title=Rep. Filemon Vela to retire from House ahead of Texas redistricting|url=https://www.axios.com/filemon-vela-retire-house-congress-texas-3cb0917c-6e21-4a35-95ac-0d189e799fde.html|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Axios|date=March 22, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
-In August 2021, Vela joined a group of conservative Democrats, dubbed "The Unbreakable Nine", who threatened to derail the [[Presidency of Joe Biden#Administration|Biden administration]]'s $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package meant to tackle the nation's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/08/24/reconciliation-infrastructure-gottheimer-democrats-unbreakable-nine/ |title=Cracks Emerge in Josh Gottheimer’s "Unbreakable Nine" |publisher=Theintercept.com |date=2021-08-25 |accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/opinion/democrats-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill.html |title=Opinion &#124; The 9 Democrats Making Nancy Pelosi’s Life Harder Are Making a Big Mistake - The New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date= |accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref>
+In August 2021, Vela joined a group of conservative Democrats, dubbed "The Unbreakable Nine", who threatened to derail the [[Presidency of Joe Biden#Administration|Biden administration]]'s $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package meant to tackle the nation's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/08/24/reconciliation-infrastructure-gottheimer-democrats-unbreakable-nine/ |title=Cracks Emerge in Josh Gottheimer's "Unbreakable Nine" |publisher=Theintercept.com |date=2021-08-25 |accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/opinion/democrats-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill.html |title=Opinion &#124; The 9 Democrats Making Nancy Pelosi's Life Harder Are Making a Big Mistake - The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= August 24, 2021|accessdate=2022-04-01|last1=Bouie |first1=Jamelle }}</ref>
 On March 24, 2022, Vela confirmed that he would resign early from Congress to take a job at [[Akin Gump]], a lobbying and law firm.<ref name="resign" /> His resignation officially went into effect before midnight on March 31.<ref name="steps down"/>
-===Committee assignments<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=https://vela.house.gov/about|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Congressman Filemon Vela|language=en}}</ref>===
+===Committee assignments===
+Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=https://vela.house.gov/about|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Congressman Filemon Vela|language=en}}</ref>
 *[[United States House Committee on Agriculture|Committee on Agriculture]]
 **[[United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management|Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management]]
@@ Line 70: / Line 73: @@
 * [[Congressional Hispanic Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Hispanic Caucus|access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515183838/https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|archive-date=May 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 *[[Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-*[[Veterinary Medicine Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus|url=https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm| publisher=Veterinary Medicine Caucus |access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref>
+*[[Veterinary Medicine Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus|url=https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|publisher=Veterinary Medicine Caucus|access-date=October 12, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090924/https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 *[[U.S.-Japan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
 Vela's wife, Rose, was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] justice on Texas's 13th [[Texas Courts of Appeals|Court of Appeals]] from 2007 to 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Humberto|title=113th Congress: Filemon Vela, D-Texas (34th District)|url=http://public.cq.com/docs/news/news-000004172501.html|work=public.cq.com|publisher=Congressional Quarterly, Inc.|access-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref>
+Vela is [[Roman Catholic]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/01/19161723/Member-affiliations-for-web.pdf |title=Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress |date=2017-01-03 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] |access-date=2023-04-18}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 85: / Line 90: @@
 ==External links==
 {{Commons category}}
-*{{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Texas/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives/Filemon_Vela_%5BD-34%5D|Filemon Vela}}
 {{CongLinks | congbio=V000132 | votesmart=137719 | fec=H2TX27190 | congress=filemon-vela/2167 }}
 *{{C-SPAN|95434}}
@@ Line 115: / Line 119: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Vela, Filemon Jr.}}
 [[Category:1963 births]]
-[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
+[[Category:American lobbyists]]
 [[Category:American politicians of Mexican descent]]
+[[Category:Catholic politicians from Texas]]
 [[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas]]
 [[Category:Georgetown University alumni]]
 [[Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:Members of Congress who became lobbyists]]
 [[Category:People from Harlingen, Texas]]
 [[Category:Texas lawyers]]
 [[Category:University of Texas School of Law alumni]]
+[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]

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