The Hill: CHC nears split as female members protest new chairman
By Josephine Hearn
Five female members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) refused to back incoming Caucus Chairman Joe Baca (D-Calif.) in a vote Wednesday, citing concerns ranging from poor management of the group’s political arm to a lack of respect for female lawmakers.
Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) and Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) abstained from a vote to make Baca chairman of the all-Democratic group, while Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) voted "No."
The only female member of the 23-member Caucus to support Baca’s candidacy was the outgoing chairwoman, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.).
Some lawmakers feared the divisive vote, which devolved into a nasty closed-door debate, could lead the group to break up along gender lines.
"If the feelings that were there [Wednesday] continue to be there, it could happen. Yeah, definitely," said Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.). "If people feel they are being discriminated against, there is a problem."
Baca ran unopposed and was named chairman by a majority of the Caucus. He will serve a two-year term.
Solis said her abstention signified a concern that the women were not accorded the same respect or privileges of seniority as male lawmakers were.
"If we are to be truly representative of the Latino community, we have to give equal treatment to all Caucus members, regardless of gender or seniority," she said.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) had never seen a more bitter meeting of the group."It was divisive. There are differences," he said. "I think [the women] have some legitimate concerns, issues that need to be dealt with. We’re all equals in this process. People want to feel their opinions are valued. They want to feel included."
The vote is the latest and most heated clash between the group’s younger female members and their older male colleagues. Some of the women believe that Baca and some male lawmakers do not accord them sufficient respect, ignore their input or create unnecessary hurdles to their advancement. Others charged that Baca had poorly managed the group’s PAC. Six Hispanic members – three men and three women -- withdrew in protest from the PAC earlier this year with concerns that Baca and his allies had used the fund to contribute to their children’s campaigns. There also has been a sense among some members that Mexican-Americans such as Baca and Napolitano have had a monopoly on the chairmanship.
Asked for comment, Baca did not directly address the women’s charges, instead noting his intention to focus on issues important to Hispanic women.
"Among my plans for the CHC is the creation of a new task force that focuses on Latinas so we can address the unique needs of women in our community."
Baca also noted that Linda Sanchez had volunteered to serve as the group’s whip even after abstaining. Sanchez had taken on the role to try to influence the Caucus from the inside, a House Democratic aide said.
Other female members, however, were not sure that they would participate if the group stayed on the same track.Asked if she would leave the CHC, Loretta Sanchez responded, "You have to look at it, but I believe so."
Wednesday’s meeting also considered the issue of seniority. Some members, especially the women, noted that seniority had often been a key factor in choosing a chairman. They were disappointed that the more senior Velazquez had not been automatically chosen to be chairwoman. Velazquez had toyed with challenging Baca but decided after the election to focus on her role as the incoming chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.
Some male members countered with the argument that Baca’s service assecond vice chair and later first vice chair of the group qualified him to move up under more recent practice. Those members wished to cease debate and proceed to a vote. They put the issue of ending debate to a vote with those in favor prevailing by a margin of one vote.
After Baca was elected, the discussion became heated as one female lawmaker accused him of having made disparaging personal comments about her to a gathering of state officials. Baca denied having made the comments, but the atmosphere had soured to such an extent that members on both sides left discouraged.
"It was very harsh, very disturbing," one female attendee said. "It’s a very traditional machismo pattern in that they continue to blow it off and argue that it doesn’t exist."
Grijalva, who will serve under Baca as the Caucus’s first vice chair and is well-regarded by both sides, said he would work to prevent a split.
"I’m going to do my part to keep it together," he said. "It’s an important year now that we are in the majority."
The Hill