Civil Rights, Housing, and Voting Rights
The Civil Rights, Housing, and Voting Rights Task Force works to protect the civil rights, housing and voting rights of the Latino community. The task force oversees issues such as the Voting Rights Act, hate crimes, and housing fairness.
Members:
Rep. José Serrano, Co-Chair
Rep. Norma Torres, Co-Chair
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
More on Civil Rights, Housing, and Voting Rights
Washington, DC- Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus met with Speaker Paul Ryan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss priorities important to the Latino community. At the top of the list was Puerto Rico. The meeting was productive and cordial.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has been fighting for the 3.5 million American citizens that reside in Puerto Rico and for an end to the economic and fiscal crisis on the Island. CHC Members urged the Speaker to swiftly usher through the House legislation on Puerto Rico that allows the Island to restructure a meaningful portion of its debt, provides for reasonable, respectful and independent oversight of Puerto Rico’s fiscal affairs, and does not include labor provisions that harm workers.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members released the following statements on the Supreme Court’s 8-0 decision rejecting the one-person, one-vote rule. In the ruling, the Supreme Court determined that voting districts should continue to be drawn using census population data, and not changed to count only eligible-voting citizens.
In December, CHC Members issued statements and spoke out on the devastating effects the case would have on the Latino community.
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, 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, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued a statement of opposition to Donald Trump hosting Saturday Night Live. CHC Members issued the statement and follows an earlier statement made by the Chair on the inflammatory remarks made by Trump on the Mexican community.
The statement of opposition adopted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus reads:
Whereas, Mr. Donald Trump has been invited to host Saturday Night Live on NBC on November 7, 2015;
Whereas, Saturday Night Live is a flagship program on a national network;
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements in anticipation of the Pope's Address to Congress tomorrow. Last year, the Hispanic Caucus sent a letter to His Holiness, inviting him to speak before a joint session of Congress. You can view the letter here.
CHC Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez: "We look forward to hearing Pope Francis speak on a number of issues important to Latinos and working families – from juvenile justice to comprehensive immigration reform and the need to protect our environment. His Holiness and the Hispanic Caucus share a commitment to fighting for justice and civil rights and we believe his message of compassion is one that is critically needed in Congress right now."
WASHINGTON – – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) will hold a press conference on Thursday, September 17th. CHC Members will deliver a special message to the Latino community in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 through October 15. CHC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez will lead the press conference and will be joined by other Members of the Caucus.
September 17th is also Citizenship Day.
WHO: Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
WHAT: CHC Message to the Latino Community Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: House Triangle, Located at the corner of New Jersey Avenue SE and Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC- Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, today released the following statement on the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges making same-sex:
"Love wins!"
WASHINGTON (Wednesday, June 24, 2015) – Two years since the Supreme Court gutted core protections in the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, states and localities throughout the country have passed sweeping laws that disproportionately suppress the voting rights of minorities. These laws have left voters without the protections they need to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
To restore and advance the voting protections for all Americans, a group of Senate and House Democratic lawmakers joined together Wednesday to introduce the Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) of 2015.
Washington, D.C. – CHC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez released the following statement today on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus:
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is outraged by Donald Trump's racist remarks on the millions of Mexicans living in the United States.
His comments were not only wrong but divisive and perpetuate hateful stereotypes toward the Latino community.
Latinos are an integral part of the American fabric.
We are lawyers, doctors, teachers, Members of Congress, and servicemen and women who sacrifice their lives in defense to our country.
It's this kind of incendiary rhetoric which can lead to acts of violence. The most recent shooting in Charleston, South Carolina and the fatal stabbing of an Ecuadorian immigrant in Suffolk County, New York are examples of the incendiary acts that can result from hateful speech.