Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements on the Supreme Court vacancy. The statements follow today’s meeting between President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Patrick Leahy.
WASHINGTON – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Puerto Rico Healthcare Crisis Coalition (PRHCC) invite members of the press to attend a briefing on the “Healthcare Challenges Facing Puerto Rico” on Tues., February 2nd at 3pm at the Cannon House Office Building Room 234.
The healthcare situation in Puerto Rico has continued to deteriorate with hospital closures looming due to lack of funds, extreme wait times for patients to receive life-saving care, and doctors continuing to leave for better opportunities stateside. Congress needs to take immediate action to address Puerto Rico’s healthcare inequities, which are a key component of the Island’s growing unsustainable fiscal and humanitarian crisis.
Washington, D.C. – Today the Puerto Rico Health Crisis Coalition (PRHCC), members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and local healthcare leaders held a briefing on the healthcare challenges facing Puerto Rico. House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and New York Congressman Jose Serrano gave brief remarks in support of solutions to the Island’s healthcare inequities.
Puerto Rico’s deteriorating fiscal situation has taken a toll on delivery of care to the Island’s neediest patients with a growing doctor shortage and life-threatening wait times for specialty services. Several hospitals are preparing for closure due to lack of funds and delayed payments for providers. Today’s briefing urged members of Congress to take action to address the growing healthcare crisis and allow Puerto Ricans to receive the care they desperately need.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez and First Vice Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham marked the seventh anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Act allows women to challenge pay discrimination in court.
Last October, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Joint Economic Committee released a report on the economic state of the Latino community. According to the report:
· There are over 27 million Latinas in the United States, including 18.6 million Latinas who are 18 years or older.
· Latinas account for 7 percent of the total workforce and 15 percent of the female workforce.
· Latinas earn 55 cents for every dollar earned by a non-Hispanic white man.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear United States v. Texas. The justices have agreed to take up the Administration’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling which upheld the decision by a lower court to halt Obama’s immigration actions.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to hear United States v. Texas is a step in the right direction. There is still hope. In a few months, the Supreme Court could rule in favor of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Expansion programs.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement on the raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 121 people were taken into custody this past weekend. The individuals were primarily from Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.
“Raiding people’s homes to forcibly break families apart is not what our country stands for. Our federal government should not be separating parents from their children. As the mother of a young son, it’s easy for me to imagine how traumatizing having ICE agents storm someone’s home and tearing families apart can be for a young child.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members released the following statement in support of the Latino judicial nominees being blocked by Senate Republicans. Four Latino judicial nominees are awaiting confirmation after more than 130 days. In the case of Judge Felipe Restrepo, his nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has been pending for over 390 days.
The four Latino judicial nominees are:
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members released the following statements on Evenwel v. Abbott. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the case today and CHC Members led a press conference outside the Court earlier this morning. Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), and Thomas Saenz from the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) spoke on the devastating effects the case would have on the Latino community.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement on the announcement of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa's retirement. The Congressman represents Texas' 15th District and was Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 113th Congress.
"Throughout his career, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa has stood up and fought for minority communities in America. He is one of the longest-serving Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and most recently served as Chair in the 113th Congress. During his chairmanship, the CHC helped pass a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, worked with President Obama on pushing the immigration executive actions, and stood in defense of unaccompanied minors.