Congressional Hispanic Conference

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This article is about the caucus for Hispanic Republican members of Congress. For its Democratic counterpart, see Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Congressional Hispanic Conference
Co-ChairsMario Díaz-Balart
Tony Gonzales
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
National affiliationRepublican Party
Seats in the House
15 / 435
(plus 3 non-voting)
Seats in the House Republican Conference
15 / 218
(plus 3 non-voting)
Seats in the Senate
2 / 100
CHC members in 2005 with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

The Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC) is a

Lusitanic descent.[1]

The impetus behind the Conference's creation was the debate surrounding the nomination of conservative lawyer

DC Circuit Court of Appeals and ideological differences in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which was predominantly populated by Democratic members of Congress.[2][3]

As of 2024, the Conference has 15 members in the House and 2 members in the Senate, as well as 3 non-voting members.

History

In the mid to late 1990s, the Republican members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – Mexican-American Henry Bonilla of Texas and Cuban-Americans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Díaz-Balart of Florida – left the Caucus in protest over its support for improved relations with Cuba.[4] While Ros-Lehtinen remained an active member of the CHC's public outreach arm, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Caucus has since been composed solely of Democratic and Democratic-caucusing independent legislators.[5][6]

Feeling there was "significant need" for a "new Hispanic conference" newly elected Florida congressman

Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania.[8]

At its inception, the Conference supported the following: President

faith based initiatives
; and, educational choice for all.

Like their Democratic counterpart, the Conference allows members from the

Mel Martinez, the first Cuban-American U.S. Senator, joined the group shortly after his election in 2004. Additionally, the Conference is open to non-Hispanic "associate" members who represent districts with significant Hispanic populations or generally support its goals with regards to public policy.[9][10] In 2003, Conference members also formed the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute
as an equivalent to the Democratic CHC-affiliated CHCI.

In the 2006 and 2008 elections, the Conference suffered the loss of nearly half of their members to electoral defeat, attempts at higher office or resignations. Past chair

Washington, as well as Portuguese American Senator Pat Toomey
of Pennsylvania, who was a member of the conference when he served in the House.

Membership

Congressional Hispanic Conference in the 118th United States Congress

Officers

Other members

Chairs

Former members

See also

References

  1. ^ "About The CHC". Congressional Hispanic Conference. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Henry Bonilla, et al., "We the (Hispanic) People...," The Wall Street Journal (March 17, 2003)
  3. ^ Julian Pecquet, "Latinos Take Over Washington," Adelante (April 2003)
  4. ^ a b Maria Recio, "Hispanic Republicans Form Interest Group," Archived 2013-01-25 at archive.today HispanicBusiness.com (March 19, 2003)
  5. ^ CHCI, Board of Directors Archived 2009-07-15 at the Wayback Machine CHCI. Accessed on May 5, 2009.
  6. ^ Congressional Hispanic Caucus, CHC Main Page, Membership (sidebar) Archived 2009-05-27 at the Wayback Machine Office of Nydia Velasquez. Accessed on May 31, 2009.
  7. ^ Robert A. George, "Sonia Sotomayor (For life)," NBC Washington.com (May 28, 2009)
  8. ^ Congressional Hispanic Conference, "The Congressional Hispanic Conference Applauds the Passage of the Naturalization Bill for Immigrant Service Men and Women," Archived 2011-05-26 at the Wayback Machine (press release) Hispania News (November 14, 2003)
  9. ^ Office of Rep. J. Gresham Barrett, "Congressman Gresham Barrett Joins the Congressional Hispanic Conference," Archived 2008-11-01 at the Wayback Machine (press release) House.gov (March 31, 2004)
  10. ^ Office of Rep. Bob Beauprez, "Rep. Bob Beauprez of Colorado Joins the Congressional Hispanic Conference," Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine (press release) HispanicBusiness.com (April 27, 2004)
  11. ^ "Members". Congressional Hispanic Conference. Retrieved January 17, 2018.

External links

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