Latina Republican blocked from joining Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The caucus defended its decision, citing Flores' 'extreme views' and party affiliation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Democrats who run the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) have blocked a freshman Latina Republican lawmaker from joining the group.
Mayra Flores, who flipped a long-held Democratic House seat along the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this year, said she was refused admission by the CHC because of her party affiliation.
"As the first Mexican-born American Congresswoman, I thought the Hispanic Caucus would be open to working together," said Flores. "This denial once again proves a bias towards conservative Latinas that don’t fit their narrative or ideology."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The CHC is the largest working group within Congress for lawmakers of Hispanic and Latino descent. Its membership is made up of roughly 40 lawmakers from both the House and Senate.
MAYRA FLORES: HISPANICS STAND FOR GOD, FAMILY AND HARD WORK
Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Texas, left, was among the conservative stars at CPAC Texas 2022. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)
The CHC has defended its decision by saying the organization is for Democrats only and that Flores holds "extreme" views at odds with its mission.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Per our bylaws, the CHC is now for Democratic Members," said a spokesman for the caucus. "Rep. Flores’ extreme MAGA values and their attacks on Latinos and our nation’s democracy on January 6 do not align with CHC values."
"The party of ‘inclusion’ does it again," Flores said in reaction. The freshman congresswoman also told Fox News Channel's Laura Ingraham on Wednesday that despite the snub she would continue being a voice for Hispanic community.
"I don't need them. The Hispanic community doesn't need them. We are the real voice. We are the voice of the Hispanic community," Flores said during an appearance on the Ingraham Angle. "We stand for the values that we were raised with God, Family and hard work. That is what we are all about."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Last time I checked, I’m Black, and Mayra is Latina. These Democrats care more about the ‘R’ than our race," said Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who was denied entry into the Congressional Black Caucus last year over party affiliation. (Fox News Digital/Haris Alic)
The CHC was a bipartisan working group until 2003, when it splintered over U.S. policy toward Cuba. At the time, the caucus's five GOP members opted to create the Congressional Hispanic Conference.
Since then, the two groups have been divided by party, but the CHC has been more vocal because of its larger membership. The GOP-run Congressional Hispanic Conference has only nine members.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mayra Flores flipped a long-held Democratic House seat along the U.S.-Mexico border in a special election earlier this year. (Brandon Gillespie)
Given the CHC's larger voice, Republicans in recent years have tried to break its strict Democrat-only rule. In 2017, GOP Rep. Carlos Curbello of Florida was denied admission on the grounds of his partisanship.
House Republicans have been quick to criticize the CHC in the wake of such decisions, and did so again when Flores was rejected.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Last time I checked, I’m Black, and Mayra is Latina. These Democrats care more about the ‘R’ than our race," said Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who was denied entry into the Congressional Black Caucus last year over party affiliation.