As Member of a Leadership Team, Hinojosa Will Play Key Role in Advancing Agenda for Working Families

Washington, DC (January 12, 2007) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that he was chosen by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) to serve on his Whip Team for the 110th Congress.  In this leadership role, Congressman Hinojosa will help Clyburn gather support for legislation that meets the needs of the American people. 

“I’m excited about my role in the new majority to help bring change to Washington and advance legislation that meets the needs of working families,” said Hinojosa.  “We’ve already begun to make great strides in moving that agenda.  We passed a broadly-supported ethics reform package to restore the trust of the American people in the Congress.  We worked to strengthen security for Americans at home and abroad with legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.  We have also passed an increase in the minimum wage for the first time in a decade.  We will address the expansion of stem cell research and broaden hope for a cure to many diseases, make health care more affordable by requiring the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and improve access to higher education by cutting the interest rate on student loans.”

The term “whip” is derived from the British Parliament which adopted the term from the fox-hunting position “whipper-in,” the rider who kept the fox hounds gathered together behind their mission.  The whip’s job in Congress is to gather support for legislation when it comes to the floor for a vote.  The Democratic Caucus relies on the whip team to pull together the votes to pass its agenda.