The all-Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) denied Rep. Carlos Curbelo’s (R-FL) bid for membership Thursday, claiming that Curbelo’s record is “not consistent” with their values.
CHC spokesperson Carl Paz Jr. read a statement saying the
group "isn’t just an organization for Hispanics; it is a Caucus that
represents certain values. This vote reflects the position of many of our
members that Rep. Curbelo and his record are not consistent with those values.”
Curbelo reportedly caused dispute among members of the
CHC by having yet to sign on to the Dream Act.
According to Politico, CHC members also said their
decision was affected by a private argument between Curbelo and CHC Chairwoman
Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), in which he accused her and the caucus of
discriminating against him.
Curbelo issued a statement Thursday both in English and
Spanish asking why the CHC wants to "build a wall" regarding his
exclusion from the group.
“It is truly shameful the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
has decided to build a wall around the organization to exclude
Hispanic-Americans who aren’t registered in the Democratic Party,” he said. “This sends a powerful and harmful message of discrimination, bigotry, and
division.' Unbelievably, petty partisan interests have led the CHC to formally
endorse the segregation of American Hispanics. It is a dark day on Capitol
Hill. However, this only strengthens my commitment to working with my
colleagues on both sides to urgently seek a solution for young immigrants in
the DACA Program.”
In his letter Monday asking to join the group, Curbelo
wrote that he respects they “will sometimes have a difference of opinions on
legislative strategies and goals – that is inevitable when working in the
world’s greatest deliberative institution. But I believe a broader discussion,
reasonable debate and diversity of thought will ultimately help the Caucus –
and the entire Congress – achieve better, long-lasting legislation that can
actually become law in this divisive political climate.”
