House Passes Congressional Hispanic Caucus Amendments as Part of Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' (CHC) amendments as part of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The first amendment would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a study on the factors contributing to low numbers of Hispanic officers and enlisted members in leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and recommendations to increase Hispanic representation. The second would require GAO conduct a study on the factors contributing to low numbers of Hispanic students and in leadership positions within the military service academies and recommendations to increase Hispanic representation. The amendments were led by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D.

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauds the House passage of our two amendments as part of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "As the Hispanic American population grows, it is imperative that the Department of Defense (DoD) successfully attracts, recruits, and develops highly skilled Hispanic service members that will allow the United States to confront the unprecedented challenges facing our nation at home and abroad. By studying the factors that contribute to low numbers of Hispanics in military leadership positions and service academies, our amendments will empower the DoD to do just that. The CHC looks forward to advancing our provisions in the Senate to pave a path toward a more diverse and inclusive military."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.