Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus | |
---|---|
Chair | Nanette Barragán |
Founder | 5 founding members
|
Founded | December 1976[1] |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
National affiliation | Democratic Party |
Seats in the House | 37 / 435 (plus 1 non-voting)
|
Seats in the House Democratic Caucus | 37 / 213 (plus 1 non-voting)
|
Seats in the Senate | 4 / 100
|
Website | |
Official website |
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an organization of 38 Democratic members of the United States Congress of Hispanic and Latino descent.[2][3] The Caucus focuses on issues affecting Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. The CHC was founded in December 1976 as a legislative service organization of the United States House of Representatives. The CHC is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives.
As of the
Purpose
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus aims to address national and international issues that directly impact the Hispanic community. The function of the CHC is to serve as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. In addition to covering legislative action, the CHC also monitors executive and judicial issues at the federal level.[4]
Senator
History
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) was organized in 1976 by five Hispanic Congressmen:
As of 2023, the CHC is composed entirely of Democrats, although at its founding it was a bipartisan organization. The Republican members left in the late 1990s over policy differences and, in 2003, formed their own group, the Congressional Hispanic Conference. In 2017, the Caucus declined to admit Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who would have been the only Republican member. In 2022, Rep. Mayra Flores, a Republican, was denied membership as well.
Chairs
- 1978–1981: Edward R. Roybal (CA-25) (D)
- 1981–1984: Robert García (NY-21) (D)
- 1984–1985: Bill Richardson (NM-3) (D)
- 1985–1986: Matthew Martinez (CA-30) (D)
- 1986–1987: Esteban Torres (CA-34) (D)
- 1987–1988: Albert G. Bustamante (TX-23) (D)
- 1988–1989: PR-AL) (D)
- 1989–1991: Kika de la Garza (TX-15) (D)
- 1991–1993: Solomon Ortiz (TX-27) (D)
- 1993–1995: José Serrano (NY-16) (D)
- 1995–1997: Ed Pastor (AZ-04) (D)
- 1997–1999: Xavier Becerra (CA-31) (D)
- 1999–2001: Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) (D)
- 2001–2003: Silvestre Reyes (TX-16) (D)
- 2003–2005: Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23) (D)
- 2005–2007: Grace Napolitano (CA-38) (D)
- 2007–2009: Joe Baca (CA-43) (D)
- 2009–2011: Nydia Velázquez (NY-12) (D)
- 2011–2013: Charles Gonzalez (TX-20) (D)
- 2013–2015: Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) (D)
- 2015–2017: Linda Sánchez (CA-38) (D)
- 2017–2019: Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) (D)
- 2019–2021: Joaquin Castro (TX-20) (D)
- 2021–2023: Raul Ruiz (CA-36) (D)
- 2023–present: Nanette Barragán (CA-44) (D)
Leadership
- Chair: Nanette Barragán (CA-44) (D)[6]
- Deputy Chair: Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) (D)
- Vice Chair of Policy: Darren Soto (FL-9) (D)
- Vice Chair of Member Engagement: Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) (D)
- Vice Chair of Communications Norma Torres (CA-35) (D)
- Whip: Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) (D)
- Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Gabe Vasquez (NM-2) (D)
- Freshman Representative: Andrea Salinas (OR-6) (D)
Current membership
United States Senate
California:
- Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Nevada:
- Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
New Jersey:
- Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
New Mexico:
- Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
United States House of Representatives
Arizona:
- Ruben Gallego (AZ-3) (D), retiring at end of 118th Congress (running for U.S. Senate)
- Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7) (D)
California:
- Jim Costa (CA-21) (D)
- Salud Carbajal (CA-24) (D)
- Raul Ruiz (CA-25) (D)
- Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) (D), retiring at end of 118th Congress
- Grace Napolitano (CA-31) (D), retiring at end of 118th Congress
- Pete Aguilar (CA-33) (D)
- Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) (D)
- Norma Torres (CA-35) (D)
- Linda Sánchez (CA-38) (D)
- Robert Garcia (CA-42) (D)
- Nanette Barragán (CA-44) (D)
- Lou Correa (CA-46) (D)
- Mike Levin (CA-49) (D)
- Juan Vargas (CA-52) (D)
Colorado:
- Yadira Caraveo (CO-8) (D)
Florida:
- Darren Soto (FL-9) (D)
- Maxwell Frost (FL-10) (D)
Illinois:
- Delia Ramirez (IL-3) (D)
- IL-4) (D)
Massachusetts:
- Lori Trahan (MA-3) (D)
New Jersey:
- Rob Menendez (NJ-8) (D)
New Mexico:
- Gabe Vasquez (NM-2) (D)
- Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-3) (D)
New York:
- Nydia Velázquez (NY-7) (D)
- Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) (D)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) (D)
- Ritchie Torres (NY-15) (D)
Northern Mariana Islands:
- MP-At large) (D), retiring at end of 118th Congress
Oregon:
- Andrea Salinas (OR-6) (D)
Texas:
- Veronica Escobar (TX-16) (D)
- Joaquin Castro (TX-20) (D)
- Henry Cuellar (TX-28) (D)
- Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) (D)
- Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) (D)
- Greg Casar (TX-35) (D)
Washington:
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3) (D)
Controversies
This article's "criticism" or "controversy" section may compromise the article's neutrality. (January 2019) |
Joe Baca's Tenure as Chairman
On January 31, 2007, a story on the
A year prior to the "whore" incident, the CHC's political action committee gave $3,000 to Baca's children's campaigns for state offices in California. Although Baca recused himself from the decision to make the contributions, six members of the caucus criticized the decision, saying that CHC's PAC should support only federal candidates. Consequently, on November 15, 2006, when Joe Baca was elected chair of the CHC, Solis and the Sanchez sisters challenged his election, saying that the voting should have been done by a secret ballot.[12]
On Monday, April 2, 2007, Congresswoman
Other controversies
On June 30, 2013, Congressman Filemon Vela Jr. resigned from the CHC, citing opposition to the Senate immigration bill which the CHC endorsed, saying: "Opponents of serious immigration reform are extracting a pound of flesh in this process by conditioning a pathway to citizenship on the construction of more ineffective border fence."[15][16]
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has received support over the years from Mexican billionaire
In November 2017, the caucus refused to admit Republican congressman Carlos Curbelo, who would have been the only Republican in the caucus.[20] In October 2022, it also denied admission to Republican congresswoman Mayra Flores, who was the first Mexican-born congresswoman.[21]
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
In October 1981, the House Committee on House Administration drafted new regulations stipulating that fundraising activities were to be moved off all government premises. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus decided to maintain a legislative support organization on Capitol Hill, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and moved the non-profit, fundraising organization, today known as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. to a new residence.[22]
CHC BOLD PAC
The CHC BOLD PAC (officially the Committee for Hispanic Causes-BOLD PAC and sometimes referred to as simply BOLD PAC) is the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' political arm, endorsing Democratic and especially Hispanic candidates.[23][24] Ruben Gallego was the chair of the group until 2023,[25] the current chair is Linda Sánchez.[26] The group raised $8.7 million during the 2018 election cycle.[27]
Gallery
See also
- List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
- Congressional caucus
- Congressional Hispanic Conference
- 1977 Women's National Conference: Minority-Latino-Women
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
References
- ^ "About the Congressional Hispanic Caucus". United States House of Representatives.
- ^ "Congressional Hispanic Caucus". Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ Bernal, Rafael (January 2, 2019). "Hispanic Caucus boasts record membership in new Congress". The Hill. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ "About the Congressional Hispanic Caucus". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ Nancy Harbert, ed. (2010). "60 for 60: Shaping Law in New Mexico Since 1950".
- ^ "Congressional Hispanic Caucus Announces Leadership for 118th Congress". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. December 15, 2022.
- ^ "Chairman Joaquin Castro Welcomes Newest Members to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus". Congressman Joaquin Castro. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- ^ "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019.
- ^ Figueroa, Ariana (November 18, 2022). "Congressional Hispanic Caucus welcomes new House members, reflects on Latino vote". New Jersey Monitor.
- ^ "Sanchez Accuses Democrat of Calling Her a 'Whore,' Resigns from Hispanic Group". Politico.
- ^ "Two More Reps. Complain About Treatment of Women in Hispanic Caucus". Politico.
- ^ a b "Women Call for Change in Caucus". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Rep. Baca wags finger at Sanchez for closing office for César Chávez Day". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 10, 2007.
- ^ "Linda Sanchez Leaves Hispanic Caucus". Politico.
- The Houston Chronicle.
- The Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Announces New Partnership with Fundacion Azteca America and Grupo Salinas for International Fellowship Program in Mexico". Wilmington, N.C.: WECT. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ^ "Cato Financial Times: Did Andres Ramirez of Nevada violate Nevada State Ethics Laws in creating Two Countries One Voice on behalf of deLeon and Mercury Public Affairs?". Catocalifornia.blogspot.com. December 4, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "A look inside San Jose politics and culture". San Jose Inside. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ Alex Daugherty (November 16, 2017). "Hispanic caucus tells Cuban American he can't join the club — he's too Republican". Miami Herald.
- ^ Choi, Matthew (October 26, 2022). "Republican Mayra Flores rejected from all-Democratic Hispanic caucus". The Texas Tribune.
- ^ "Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute". December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "PAC Profile: Committee for Hispanic Causes". Open Secrets. BOLD PAC. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Raju, Manu; Rogers, Alex (November 25, 2020). "Democratic fight emerges ahead of appointment to fill Kamala Harris' Senate seat". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Bowman, Bridget (October 7, 2021). "Democrats: Push to pressure Sinema won't distract from Kelly's 2022 Senate race". Roll Call. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "Linda Sánchez is the new chair of BOLD PAC, the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus. She'll be the first woman to lead the organization". Politico. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Severns, Maggie (September 20, 2018). "Democratic lawmakers launch PAC to elect more women to Congress". Politico. Retrieved October 22, 2021.