A New Direction for Hispanic Americans & Their Families
All Latinos deserve a real opportunity to achieve the American Dream, whether they have been here for generations or just arrived to our shores. House Democrats are working to promote the New Direction agenda that builds opportunity for all Americans, including millions of Latino families.
The values of Latinos – faith, family, and love of country – are American values. America is strengthened by the hard work and leadership of the Hispanic community. While the most visible influence of Latinos is found in our culture – including music, sports, film, and food – Hispanic Americans are also a driving force in business, science, education, and politics. With every new generation of Latino leaders, our nation is enriched by the extrordinary contributions of Hispanic Americans.
RECENT NEWS
May 4, 2009 - The House passed H.Res.230, a resolution recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Joe Baca.
Watch Rep. Joe Baca speak in support of the resolution>>
Report: The Budget Rebuilds the Economy and Opportunities for Latinos
The Budget serves as a long-term economic plan to promote economic growth for all Americans. After inheriting this recession from the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans, this Congress has already taken steps to create or save more than 3.5 million jobs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Congress is also making strategic long-term investments in health care reform, education, and services to veterans to rebuild our economy while cutting the budget deficit by nearly two-thirds in 4 years to put us back on a path to sustainability.
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Pelosi Statement on 82nd Anniversary of Cesar Chavez’ Birthday
March 31, 2009 - Speaker Pelosi released the following statement today in honor of the 82nd anniversary of Cesar Chavez’ birthday:
“Cesar Chavez taught us that dignity and sacrifice can inspire a people and bring about change. He famously believed that ‘to suffer for someone in greater need was human.’ It is this belief, along with his struggle on behalf of America’s farm workers, that makes Cesar Chavez an American hero.
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Pelosi Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15, 2008 – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and runs through October 15:
“Hispanic Heritage Month honors the enormous contributions of Hispanic Americans to our country, and celebrates their achievements in the broad spectrum of American life: from business and education to music and sports. America has grown stronger through its diversity, and is surely a better place for the contributions of Hispanics.
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Visit Speaker Pelosi's Hispanic Heritage Month page>>
Speaker Pelosi and Democratic Members on the Anniversary of Cesar Chavez' Birthday - March 31, 2008
"Cesar Chavez championed the causes of justice and equality and inspired millions with his vision of hope and prosperity for working people," said Speaker Pelosi. "With enormous passion and dignity, he claimed for America’s farm workers the rights that must be possessed by all workers: a good job, a fair wage, and a safe workplace."
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Watch Democratic Members speak on the House floor to honor the life and work of Cesar Chavez:
NEW DIRECTION CONGRESS: TAKING ACTION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HISPANICS & THEIR FAMILIES
The 110th Congress has begun to move America in a New Direction. The Democratic-led Congress has worked to begin to make a difference in improving the lives of Hispanic families. Unfortunately, more progress was prevented by the failed ideology and the continued obstruction of President Bush and his allies in Congress. A New Direction for America is still needed.
REBUILDING THE ECONOMY |
STRENGTHENING EDUCATION |
ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE |
PROTECTING AND PRESERVING CIVIL RIGHTS |
HONORING OUR VETERANS AND OUR TROOPS |
REBUILDING THE ECONOMY
ECONOMIC RESCUE PACKAGE --
In October 2008, the Congress enacted a bipartisan Economic Rescue Package (H.R. 1424), designed to stabilize the financial markets and unfreeze the credit markets, which have ceased to function, for businesses and families.
- The bill authorizes the Treasury Secretary to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions, as well as to make direct federal investments in the nation’s banks, in order to encourage the normal flow of credit in our economy and the resumption of lending to consumers and small businesses.
- The Congress added numerous provisions to protect taxpayers to the Bush Administration’s original proposal, including a recoupment provision to ensure taxpayers are ultimately repaid if there’s a shortfall in the program within five years; giving taxpayers a share of the profits of participating companies; providing for homeowner protections; and limiting CEO compensation.
- The Congress also added numerous provisions requiring strong oversight and transparency, including an oversight board appointed by bipartisan leaders of Congress.
RECOVERY REBATES --
In February 2008, the Congress enacted a bipartisan stimulus bill (H.R. 5140) to provide recovery rebates to help hardworking Americans who are struggling with the high costs of gas, health care, and groceries.
- These recovery rebates have been crucial for many Hispanic families, many of whom have not fared well under the Bush economy. The median household income of Hispanic families has dropped by $1,256 since 2000, and over the last seven years, the number of Hispanics living below the poverty level has grown by 2.1 million.
- This stimulus package has put Recovery Rebates into the hands of 130 million American families -- providing rebates of $600 per taxpayer, $1,200 a couple, and $300 extra for each qualifying child. These rebates were sent to taxpayers’ bank accounts and mailboxes from May through July.
EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS --
In June 2008, the Congress enacted extended unemployment benefits – to help the millions of long-term jobless workers whose regular unemployment benefits are running out.
- These extended unemployment benefits are important for many Hispanic families. The Hispanic unemployment rate has jumped dramatically in the past year – climbing from 5.7 percent in September 2007 to 7.8 percent in September 2008.
- There are now 1.7 million Hispanic workers who are unemployed – 743,000 more than when President Bush took office.
- These provisions provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, in order to help the millions of Americans who are long-term jobless.
MINIMUM WAGE –
The New Direction Congress enacted the first minimum wage increase in a decade – increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over three years.
- Under the minimum wage increase law, the minimum wage rose from $5.15 to $5.85 an hour in July 2007; rose from $5.85 to $6.55 in July 2008; and will rise from $6.55 to $7.25 in July 2009.
- The three-step increase in the minimum wage will benefit nearly 2.3 million Hispanic Americans over the next few years. [EPI, 4/07]
- This pay raise comes at a critical time for Hispanic families, as the economic slowdown has had a particularly negative impact on Hispanic families – with Hispanic unemployment up sharply and Hispanic median household down.
- Minority women will benefit the most from the wage increase: fully 33 percent of women benefiting are African-American or Hispanic, even though these groups comprise less than a quarter of the female workforce. [Center for American Progress]
RESPONDING TO THE HOUSING CRISIS –
In July 2008, the New Direction Congress enacted a sweeping and comprehensive housing package to address the worst housing crisis in decades (H.R. 3221).
- On the Bush Administration’s watch, unregulated mortgage originators were given financial incentives to sell risky, unaffordable subprime mortgages to vulnerable borrowers. Evidence suggests that those lenders targeted minority, elderly and female borrowers.
- Hispanic families disproportionately received subprime loans in 2007; 29 percent of high-cost loans went to Hispanics as opposed to only 11 percent for non-Hispanic whites.
- Of the 2.2 million homes projected to be foreclosed upon by the end of 2009, nearly 400,000 are Hispanic-owned.
- The comprehensive housing package, enacted in July, provides mortgage refinancing assistance so that families in danger of losing their homes can refinance into lower-cost government-insured mortgages they can afford to repay – helping at least 400,000 families avoid foreclosure.
- The housing package also puts a tough, independent new regulator in charge of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are vital to both the financial markets and American homeowners.
- The housing package also includes key Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reform provisions, which will enable the FHA to serve more subprime borrowers at affordable rates and terms, attract borrowers that have turned to predatory loans in recent years, and offer refinancing to homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage payments.
INNOVATION AND GOOD-PAYING JOBS –
In August 2007, the Congress enacted the Innovation Agenda (America COMPETES Act), which makes new investments in math and science education and basic research in order to restore our ability to compete in a global economy.
- This legislation helps American workers and businesses to compete globally for the best jobs, and strengthens the American economy by boosting minority participation in high-tech jobs.
- The new law puts us on a path to doubling funding for National Science Foundation basic research over the next 10 years, creates scholarships for some 25,000 new highly qualified math and science teachers over the next five years, and works to strengthen small high-tech firms and stimulate investments in innovative technologies by small manufacturers.
- The bill also takes concrete steps toward increasing the number of women and under-represented minorities entering the science, technology, engineering and math fields. For example, the new law will improve the NSF’s program to increase undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and math in order to promote minority and women participation, and requires a National Academy of Sciences study on strategies to increase minority participation in the science, technology, engineering and math workforce.
- In 2000, only 3.4 percent of the science and engineering jobs in the U.S. were held by Hispanics.
SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING SMALL BUSINESS –
Two-thirds of American jobs are created by small businesses.
- Hispanics own an estimated 1.6 million small businesses with annual revenues of $222 billion.
- The fastest-growing small business sector is Latina-owned firms.
- Legislation enacted by the Congress in May 2007 included provisions cutting taxes for small businesses by $4 billion over the next 10 years, including allowing small businesses more generous deductions for investing in new equipment.
- In addition, the Economic Recovery bill, which the President signed in February 2008, doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for investments in plants and equipment made in 2008 from $125,000 to $250,000.
STRENGTHENING EDUCATION
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION –Early childhood education programs, such as Early Head Start and Head Start, provide a crucial foundation for hundreds of thousands of lower-income children before they enter the school system.
- Head Start provides vital child development, health and nutrition services to 324,000 Hispanic children. [Administration for Children & Families, Office of Head Start, 2007]
- In December 2007, Congress enacted the Improving Head Start Act (H.R. 1429). The law expands and improves the successful Head Start early childhood education program, including provisions to improve classroom and teacher quality and to expand access to Head Start and Early Head Start.
K-12 EDUCATION –
One in five students in K-12 public schools in America is Hispanic – and they all deserve access to a high-quality education.
- In December 2007, Congress enacted the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764). It included $14.4 billion for Title I, $1.4 billion over 2007, to help 276,000 more disadvantaged children with math and reading instruction than in 2007.
- This legislation also provided $1.1 billion for after-school programs, $100 million above the President’s request and 2007, providing after-school academic and enrichment services to an additional 130,000 children following six straight years of cuts or freezes to these programs.
- This legislation also provided $2.9 billion, $148 million more than the President’s request, for Improving Teacher Quality state grants, which are designed to help schools have highly qualified teachers in core academic subjects.
COLLEGE AFFORDABLITY –
In September 2007, the Congress enacted the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the single largest investment in college assistance since the 1944 G.I. Bill – benefiting the more than 1.8 million Hispanic students enrolled in degree-granting institutions.
- This legislation includes numerous provisions making college more accessible and affordable, including:
- Increases the Pell Grant by more than $1,000 over the next five years, restoring the purchasing power for millions of low and moderate income students. This will help the 37 percent of Hispanic students who receive the Pell Grant scholarship each year.
- Cuts the interest rates on subsidized student loans in half, saving the typical borrower $4,400 over the life of the loan. About 25 percent of Hispanic students take out need-based student loans each year.
- Provides public servants loan forgiveness after 10 years of public service and loan repayment for military service members, first responders, law enforcement officers and others.
- Makes a landmark new investment in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) of $200 million to increase the number of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) graduates. HSIs enroll almost half of all Hispanic college students.
- This legislation builds on the 2007 law, including numerous provisions to make college more accessible, including:
- Gives colleges incentives to rein in tuition increases and provides students and families with helpful financial information.
- Makes college more affordable for low-income and non-traditional students by allowing students to receive Pell Grants year-round.
- Establishes a new program to promote advanced degree programs at Hispanic-Serving
- Institutions (HSIs) to grow the number of Hispanics earning masters’ degrees and PhDs.
- Creates partnership programs for HSIs to help attract young students into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
- Strengthens the TRIO and GEAR UP college readiness and support programs for low-income and first-generation students.
ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
PROTECTING HEALTH CARE FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
In July 2008, Congress enacted, over the President’s veto, vital legislation that protects access to quality health care under Medicare for seniors and people with disabilities.
- There are currently 2.9 million Hispanics who rely on Medicare for their health care.
- This bill ensures that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the doctors they know and trust – by preventing a 10 percent payment cut for physicians in Medicare.
- The bill also helps Medicare beneficiaries by improving preventive health benefits and mental health benefits.
- It improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries, including increasing the amount of assets that low-income beneficiaries can have and still qualify for help with Medicare costs.
PROTECTING HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND SENIORS
In July 2008, Congress also enacted legislation blocking damaging Medicaid regulations, which would have had a particularly devastating impact on low-income children and seniors.
- There are currently 10.3 million low-income Hispanics, including many low-income children and seniors, who rely on Medicaid for their health care.
- This bill blocks Bush Administration regulations that would have slashed federal Medicaid funding to states for vital programs and services by about $18 billion over 5 years.
- The bill was strongly supported by children’s groups, because many of these regulations would have denied low-income children access to services under the Medicaid program.
- It was also strongly supported by seniors’ groups, such as the AARP, which noted that the regulations would “shift costs for many legitimate and necessary [health care] services to individuals.”
EXPANDING CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
The New Direction Congress twice passed bills that would provide health care coverage for 10 million American children, but, unfortunately, the President vetoed the bills both times.
- Currently, 20 percent of Hispanic children in the United States – or 3.2 million – have no health care coverage. Hence, the problem of the uninsured has a particular impact on the Hispanic community. By comparison, only 7 percent of white children have no health care coverage.
- Congress passed two bills (H.R. 976 and H.R. 3963) to improve and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – preserving coverage for six million children currently covered by the program and extending coverage to an estimated four million uninsured children. These bills would have taken steps to reduce health disparities in communities of color and made critical changes to overcome the barriers to enrollment in Medicaid and SCHIP, such as expanding outreach and encouraging culturally appropriate enrollment practices. Unfortunately, the President vetoed both bills. The House of Representatives also passed H.R. 3162, which would have ended the five-year waiting period for Medicaid and SCHIP for legal permanent resident children and pregnant women.
- The Congress will continue fighting for health care coverage for low-income children until it is enacted.
PROMOTING WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE –
Hispanic women are nearly three times more likely than non-Hispanic women to have stage IV breast cancer (cancer that has spread beyond the breast).
- In April 2007, the New Direction Congress enacted the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1132) reauthorizing the program for five more years. This program provides free and low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income, minority, or uninsured women and provides education and outreach services to women.
- In October 2008, the Congress enacted the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (H.R. 1157), which authorizes $40 million over the next four years for federal research investigating the links between breast cancer and the environment.
A NEW DIRECTION FOR ENERGY SECURITY
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT
Since President Bush took office, the price at the pump has skyrocketed, home heating costs have jumped, and America’s dependence on foreign oil has increased.
- In December 2007, President Bush signed into law the historic Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6).
- This legislation strengthens our national security, by lessening our dependence on foreign oil. For example, the bill increases vehicle fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon in 2020 – the first such increase in 32 years; slashes U.S. oil consumption by 4 million barrels per day by 2030; and expands American-grown biofuels to 36 billion gallons in 2022.
- The bill also lowers energy costs for consumers – with increased vehicle fuel efficiency saving American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump, including America’s 45.5 million Hispanics.
- In addition, the bill will create good new jobs that are home-grown and American-owned and includes a job training initiative to prepare workers for 3 million new “green” jobs over 10 years.
- The legislation also reduces global warming – cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by up to 24 percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help save the planet.
PROTECTING AND PRESERVING CIVIL RIGHTS
HATE CRIMES –
In 2006, law enforcement reported more than 7,700 hate crimes. Many of those crimes were motivated by racial and ethnic bias. Hate crimes against Hispanics increased by 10 percent.
- In May 2007, the House passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592) authorizing the Department of Justice to provide state and local law enforcement agencies technical, forensic, prosecutorial and other forms of assistance in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
- In October 2008, the Congress enacted the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act (H.R. 923) establishing an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office in the Civil Rights Unit of the FBI to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the act occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. The legislation was named in honor of Emmett Till, a teenager who was brutally murdered and mutilated while on a summer vacation in Money, Mississippi in 1955.
VOTER PROTECTION –
Hispanics have the right to participate in their constitutional right to vote, free of fear and intimidation.
- In June 2007, the House passed the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act (H.R. 1281). This bill protects every American citizen’s right to vote by making voter deception a crime.
- H.R. 1281 is designed to prevent a repeat of the 2006 election when voters in minority communities were intentionally misled about voting dates and some naturalized citizens were threatened with arrest if they turned out to vote. The bill clearly defines and criminalizes voter deception, increases penalties for voter intimidation, and requires the Department of Justice to prevent and correct malicious misinformation campaigns designed to prevent citizens from voting or to mislead them on their way to the polls.
HONORING OUR VETERANS AND TROOPS
ENSURING QUALITY HEALTH CARE –
America’s veterans and service members deserve the highest quality medical care.
- In December 2007, the President signed the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), which provides the largest increase in funding for veterans’ health care in the 77-year history of the VA. This increase is focused on providing quality care for the 333,000 veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.
- In January 2008, the President signed the Defense Department Authorization Act (H.R. 4986) into law. This legislation includes the Wounded Warrior Act, which responds to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal by containing numerous provisions to improve the care of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan – including adding personnel and resources for the care of these soldiers.
GI BILL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
In June 2008, the New Direction Congress enacted the landmark GI Bill for the 21st Century, for our brave veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
- This bill restores the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans – covering up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public school.
- It will make Iraq and Afghanistan veterans part of an American economic recovery, just as the veterans of World War II helped grow and strengthen the American middle class.
- Current GI educational benefits pay only about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education.
STRENGTHENING PAY AND BENEFITS –
In January 2008, the Congress enacted the FY 2008 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986), which includes provisions to:
- Provide all service members with a 3.5 percent pay raise in 2008, higher than what the President had requested.
- Prevent TRICARE health care fee increases on our troops.
- Provide Family Medical Leave for families of soldiers wounded in combat.
- Make progress in ending the Military Families Tax on survivor benefits and the Disabled Veterans Tax on retirement benefits for combat-related military disabled retirees.
- Provide all service members with a 3.9 percent pay raise in 2009, once again higher than what the President had requested.
- Extend the authority for the Defense Department to offer bonuses and incentive pay.
- Prevent TRICARE health care fee increases on our troops.
- Waive co-payments for health preventive services for all TRICARE beneficiaries.
- Authorize $3.2 billion to support and expand quality housing for all service members and their families