Diversity and Inclusion

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Becerra was a Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and served over two decades in the House of Representatives. CHC Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to his confirmation:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Isabel Guzman as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Guzman will be the first Latina to serve in President Biden's cabinet. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to her confirmation:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) issued the following statement celebrating the confirmation:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) endorsed the Equality Act, introduced by LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair David Cicilline (RI-01). The bill prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas such as employment, education, housing, credit, the jury system, public accommodations and facilities, and federal funding. 29 states across America still lack comprehensive statewide laws against LGBTQ discrimination, leaving large gaps in LGBTQ protections. Following the endorsement, CHC Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the statement below.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Thursday, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to the National Governors Association (NGA) urging governors to follow CDC guidance in distributing vaccines to food and agriculture workers to help eliminate Latino health inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mayorkas will be the first immigrant and first Hispanic to lead the department. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to his confirmation:

WASHINGTON—Today, President Joe Biden signed four executive actions to confront systemic racism and advance racial equity. The executive actions will direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to take necessary steps to redress racially discriminatory federal housing policies that have contributed to wealth inequality for generations. The executive actions will also end the Justice Department's use of private prisons, recommit the federal government to Tribal sovereignty, and will take steps to combat discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to the issuance:

Washington, D.C. —Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, led by co-sponsors Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY-15), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX-23). Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12); Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5); Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29); Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-3), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources; Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-31), CHC member of the Committee on House Administration, were all instrumental to the bill's consideration and passage. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the historic passage of National Museum of the American Latino Act: