After graduating from Mercedes High School, Rubén attended Texas A&I University to play college football before going on to earn his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas – Pan American. While Rubén is a lifelong Longhorn, his wife Marty, is a proud Aggie. He has five children: Ruben, Jr., Laura, Iliana, Kaitlin, and Karén; and six grandchildren.

Upon graduating from college, Rubén returned to South Texas to work in his family's business, H&H Foods, as a salesman and account manager. After helping H&H Foods grow from yielding $350,000 in annual sales to over $1 million, he became the President and Chief Financial Officer. Throughout his business career, he helped the company surpass over $55 million in annual sales, employed over 300 workers, and was recognized by both Republican and Democrat Administrations as an outstanding small business leader in America.

While running his family’s business, Rubén worked equally as hard to better his community through public service. His first position in public service was as a Texas Jaycee. Shortly thereafter, Rubén ran and won his first election to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Mercedes I.S.D. After serving on the board for three years, he ran and won election to serve on the Texas State Board of Education. Rubén then founded and served as Chairman of the Board of the South Texas Community College System (STCC). In addition, he created two magnet high schools in South Texas.

Rubén was elected to Congress in 1996 and is currently serving his fourth term representing the 15th Congressional District of Texas. During his tenure in Congress, he has worked hard to better Texas on a bi-partisan basis and fight for those that have been traditionally been overlooked such as Rural America and minorities. As a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Select Education, he has advocated, introduced, and passed legislation to fortify and enhance our public school system, expand higher education services into rural communities, and make education a life-long enterprise in our country. He has worked to remove barriers that prevent students from attaining the educational level of their choice.

Rubén has worked to bring economic stability and strength to Texas as a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He has championed legislation that stimulates the economy through employment opportunities, and increased federal assistance for small businesses, farmers, and ranchers. He has worked to protect our Social Security System, and advocated for conservative fiscal spending and elimination of our nation's deficit.

As a member of the House Resources Committee, he has and continues to craft solutions to conserve our water resources, protect our environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and enhance our nation's energy system. He continues to bring relief to hard working Texans that suffer from severe flood and drought conditions.

Recognizing the need for safe and sound housing in Rural America, Rubén founded and Chairs the Congressional Rural Housing Caucus to aggressively promote efforts to expand homeownership opportunities, eliminate poverty and sub-standard housing conditions, and increase the availability and quality of rental housing in Rural America.

In Congress, he has and continues to fight to make healthcare affordable and available for every Texan, reduce taxes, protect our nation from threats at home and abroad, and make a better life for our children, our great state, and our country.