“We could not be more pleased that Rep. Vela has chosen to join Akin Gump. During his time in Congress, he was recognized for his ability to work on both sides of the aisle, earning him the admiration of Republicans and Democrats alike. We are honored and delighted to welcome him to the firm,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith.
Rep. Vela was first elected to serve the 34th Congressional District of Texas in 2012 and has been re-elected four-times since. He was a member of the House Agriculture Committee, where he chaired the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee and served on the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. Rep. Vela also served on the House Armed Services Committee and as the Deputy Head of the United States Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA). Previously, he also served on the House Homeland Security Committee, where he was a ranking member on the Border Maritime Subcommittee.
During his time in Congress, Rep. Vela focused on commerce, energy, economic issues, agriculture, national security, and defense issues. Rep. Vela’s tenure and accomplishments in Congress were bolstered by his deep relationships across the Democratic Caucus, particularly with pro-business Democrats and members of the Hispanic Caucus. He also endorsed Vice-President Joe Biden early in his quest for the White House and was subsequently appointed Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee by President Joe Biden in 2021.
“I am very happy to welcome Rep. Vela to our team in Washington,” said Brian Pomper, co-head of Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice. “ Clients often come to us to solve their most pressing challenges, and Members like Rep. Vela provide invaluable counsel in developing and executing complex lobbying campaigns. Further, he is a trusted connector who is particularly effective working behind the scenes to get the job done. His deep connections and strong relationships with the Biden-Harris administration, Democratic leadership, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Democrats in both the House and Senate will be a tremendous resource for our practice and our clients.”
Added Rep. Vela “I am thrilled to join one of the country’s top lobbying practices. Its reputation is exceptional, both nationally and globally. In the midst of one of the most challenging and dynamic political climates we have seen in recent times, I look forward to working side by side with my new colleagues, some of whom I have known for many years, to provide the kind of counsel and advocacy that will help the firm’s clients navigate the pressing issues of today.”
About Filemon Vela
Rep. Vela was a member of the House Agriculture Committee, where he served as Chair of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. Vela joined the panel at the start of his congressional career, and later served as the Vice-Ranking Member of the full committee during the 115th Congress. He was the only Texas Democrat appointed by the House of Representatives’ leadership to serve as a negotiator on the Conference Committee that drafted the 2014 Farm Bill and was closely involved in its reauthorization in 2018. He also sat on the House Armed Services Committee, where he fought to ensure that U.S. service members are prepared to respond to a range of military operations. He was a member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Early on in his congressional career, Rep. Vela also served on the House Homeland Security Committee, where he served as a ranking member on the Border Maritime Subcommittee. He chaired the Border Caucus for several years and focused on trade and commerce amongst the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In addition to his committee assignments, Rep. Vela also served as the Deputy Head of the United States Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly. The NATO PA comprises over 250 delegates from 30 NATO countries who provide oversight of NATO operations and act as a conduit between the alliance and legislators of member countries. He comes from a family of public service, following in the steps of his father, Judge Filemon B. Vela Sr., one of the first Hispanic federal judges in the country, as well as of his mother, Blanca S. Vela, the first and, to date, only woman mayor of the city of Brownsville, Texas.
