Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, former Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Member Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small was confirmed by the Senate as Undersecretary of Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Following the confirmation, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. released the following statement celebrating the confirmation:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to discuss efforts to increase diversity among military leadership ranks. One in four active-duty Marines are of Hispanic origin. However, racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in parts of the military, particularly at the highest levels of leadership.

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.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. released the following statement regarding the Senate Parliamentarian's ruling on a pathway to legal status via reconciliation:

"While we did not get the decision we wanted from the Senate Parliamentarian, the fight is far from over," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue our ‘all-of-the-above and any which way' approach to passing immigration reform. We look forward to the Senate Democrats' alternative proposal to the Senate Parliamentarian and remain confident that we will secure a path forward on immigration reform."

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 3992, or the Protect Older Job Applicants Act, introduced by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). The POJA Act would amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to prohibit employers from discriminating against applicants on the basis of age during the hiring process.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today,Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) accepted the Ohtli Award from the Government of Mexico on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). The Ohtli Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Government of Mexico to individuals or organizations that have worked to empower the Mexican diaspora and helped to "open the path" for new Mexican American and Hispanic generations. Mexican Ambassador to the United States Esteban Moctezuma awarded Chair Dr. Ruiz at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins today and runs through October 15, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), led by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), released a new reportthat examines the contributions of Hispanic workers to the U.S. economy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. released the following statement: