Press Releases
Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed the bipartisan Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2021, introduced by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). The bill is co-led by CHC Member Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Grace Meng, and Rep. Jeff Van Drew.
The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2021 would launch a United States Commission on Hate Crimes composed of twelve people designated by Congress to investigate and produce recommendations on hate crimes-prevention techniques. The introduction of the legislation follows reports of record numbers of anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate incidents across the country. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz released the statement below:
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Smithsonian Board of Regents announced appointments to the Board of Trustees for the forthcoming National Museum of the American Latino. Earlier this year, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) voted to appoint CHC Member Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) to the board after he helped shepherd the National Museum of the American Latino Act through the House of Representatives during the 116th Congress. Following the announcement of the Board of Trustees, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and Rep. Cárdenas released the subsequent statements:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the highest-ranking Latino in the U.S. Congress, and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) have introduced a bicameral resolution recognizing the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month. Following the introduction, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 2922, the Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2021, introduced by CHC Member Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). The Elder Abuse Protection Act would prevent elder abuse and exploitation and improve the justice system's response to victims in elder abuse and exploitation cases. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, President Joe Biden announced the nomination of former Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small as Undersecretary of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Following the announcement, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus–composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led more than 60 of their colleagues in a letter to Congressional leadership and President Biden to close the Medicaid "coverage gap" in the forthcoming American Families Plan. The Medicaid coverage gap affects people who are uninsured and ineligible for coverage because they live in states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, President Joe Biden announced the nomination of Secretary Ken Salazar as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. If confirmed, Salazar will be the third Mexican American and fourth Hispanic to hold the post.
Following the announcement, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced the nomination of Dr. Cynthia Telles for U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica. Following the announcement, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauds the nomination of Dr. Cynthia Telles as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica. As the daughter of an ambassador to Costa Rica and throughout her career, Dr. Telles has worked consistently to promote positive international relations, particularly in Latin America. Her diverse experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and governmental sectors make her an excellent choice for the position. Dr. Telles will help strengthen our relationships abroad and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm her for the post of U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica."
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Ricardo Zúñiga, Department of State Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle, to discuss the Biden Administration's plan to identify and address the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States. Following the meeting, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz released the statement below:
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 2529, the Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2021, H.R. 721, the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2021, and H.R. 2480, the Immigrants' Mental Health Act of 2021. All three bills were introduced by CHC Member and Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32). Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz released the following statement: