Talk about the heights of hypocrisy. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus denied membership to Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas), the first Mexican-born congresswoman. Do you know why? It’s that “R” after her name. She’s not a Democrat.
Flores reportedly applied for membership in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in early October. This was months after winning a special election and becoming the first Mexican-born congresswoman.
She represents a heavily Hispanic district on the border with Mexico, but apparently that is not enough to get her into the club with other Hispanic lawmakers.
“As the first Mexican-born American Congresswoman, I thought the Hispanic Caucus would be open in working together,” Flores said Wednesday. “This denial once again proves a bias towards conservative Latinas that don’t fit their narrative or ideology.”
Sebastian Roa is a caucus spokesperson and she confirmed that Flores was denied membership because of her views.
“Rep. Flores’ extreme MAGA values and their attacks on Latinos and our nation’s democracy on January 6 do not align with CHC values,” Roa told the Texas Tribune.
The caucus only has Democrats as members and it is even in their bylaws that they will prohibit Republicans from membership. Membership in this caucus has been split for decades, and in 2003, Republicans formed their own Congressional Hispanic Conference.
A spokesperson for Flores spoke with the Texas Tribune and said that Flores is willing to join the Congressional Hispanic Conference. She wanted to join this caucus so that she can work across the aisle with her fellow Hispanic lawmakers.
Democrats have a history of excluding Republican lawmakers from certain caucuses. The Congressional Black Caucus blocked Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who is black, from joining the caucus last year.
“The sad reality is although the Congressman and those in the CBC share the same race, the (R) behind his name disqualifies him from membership today,” a spokesman for Donalds said at the time.
