The group of Latino Democrats in the United States Congress, resulting from the recent elections, will be the largest in history, with nearly all of its seats retained and the addition of six new members, according to the chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Nanette Barragán. While awaiting the completion of the vote counting from the elections on November 5, the CHC will consist of 43 Latino Democratic lawmakers, two more than it had in the previous legislature.
Among the new members of the group are Luz Rivas and Pablo José Hernández Rivera. Luz Rivas expressed her excitement about representing her community in Congress, highlighting that her family emigrated to the district in the 1950s and 60s. On the other hand, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, the first Democratic representative from Puerto Rico since 2016, has committed to defending his roots and has rejected the controversial statements of a comedian about the island.
The CHC will pay special attention to immigration in light of the elected president's plans for a mass deportation of undocumented individuals. The Latino Democratic congresspeople emphasize the importance of providing healthcare, education, and quality jobs to all groups, including the Latino community, and strongly oppose mass deportations.
The group has also highlighted Latino representation in different areas. They include Sam Liccardo, Gil Cisneros, and Luz Rivas, who come from California districts and have achieved significant milestones in Congress. Additionally, Nellie Pou will be the first Latina woman to represent New Jersey, and Emily Randall becomes the first Latina woman from the LGBTQ community to reach Congress.
In a press conference, the Latino Democratic congresspeople expressed their commitment to continue fighting for the priorities of the Latino community. Despite the election of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in Trump's second administration, they seek adequate representation in institutions and reject policies that do not reflect the interests of their constituents.
