Today, December 8, 2020, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced the CHC’s new leadership for the 117th Congress:
- CHC Chair — Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D.
- First Vice Chair — Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán
- Second Vice Chair — Rep. Adriano Espaillat
- Whip — Rep. Darren Soto
- Freshman Representative — Rep.-Elect Teresa Leger Fernandez
“I’m confident that Chair-Elect Ruiz and the new leadership team will take the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to the next level and make real progress on behalf of our communities, said Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20). It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as chair, and I look forward to continuing to work with my CHC colleagues in the next Congress.”
“I am grateful and honored to have earned the vote and confidence of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus members to lead the Caucus through the 117th Congress. I am grateful to Chairman Castro who has done an incredible job leading us through the last two years, and I want to thank Representative Escobar for her valuable contributions to the Caucus,” said Chair-Elect Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). “Hispanics make up the largest minority population in the United States. For too long, they have experienced systemic inequalities and disparities in health, health care access, education, economic opportunity, housing, environmental justice, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified those disparities with Hispanics having one of the highest rates of infections and deaths from COVID-19.
“We must come together as a nation to rectify these inequalities; safely, rapidly and equitably end the pandemic; and build back better. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus members are amongst the most talented and respected leaders in Congress, and my goal is to amplify their collective expertise and strengths to expand our influence and ensure the promise of America is accessible to the 60 million Hispanics living in this great nation today. I look forward to the work ahead to advance public policy that creates lasting change for Hispanic Americans across the country,” said Chair-Elect Ruiz.
“It is an honor to be elected First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus,” said Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44). “Our community has been hard-hit by this pandemic, and our caucus stands ready to fight to get them the support they deserve. As First Vice-Chair, I remain committed to working on the issues that help better the lives and uplift the experiences of the wider Hispanic community. We must come together to improve access to health care, reform our broken immigration system, and fight for environmental justice.”
“I look forward to continuing my work with my CHC colleagues as Second Vice Chair to help amplify our legislative priorities and accomplishments throughout the Democratic Caucus helping families around the nation,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), the first Dominican-American and Latino of Afro descent to serve in the United States Congress. “Latino communities have been devastated by the ongoing coronavirus and much work lies ahead in our efforts to reverse the failed policies of the Trump administration and to help families most in need. We have each been touched somehow by this deadly virus, and I look forward to working on this and a number of our priorities to ensure Latino communities and our interests are fully integrated into the overall national response to build back better along the road to recovery.”
“I am humbled that my colleagues have entrusted me with the position of CHC Whip, a post previously held by some of my personal heroes,” said Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09). “As we look ahead to the 117th Congress, we must prioritize the pressing issues affecting our Hispanic communities, such as combatting COVID-19, supporting workers and small businesses, environmental justice and immigration reform. We will work to keep our caucus united, coordinate with the incoming Biden Administration and reach across the aisle whenever possible. As CHC Whip, I am prepared to confront the many challenges that may arise with a fresh perspective and willingness to find common ground to deliver solutions for Hispanics across the country.”
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has championed legislation to address the health, economic and environmental disparities facing our Latino communities and working families. They’ve taken on Trump and his inhumane policies separating children from their families. I’m honored to join the Caucus in their good fight on these issues as the newly elected Freshman Representative,” said Representative-Elect Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-3). “Ahora es cuando! Now is the time to protect our families from the economic devastation the pandemic has disproportionately inflicted on our communities, pass comprehensive immigration reform, and make sure everyone has access to affordable, quality health care."
Background: The CHC leadership election was conducted virtually using Webex Legislate and followed CDC public health guidance.
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.
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