ICYMI: New Dems Profiled in Spanish-Language La Opinion
Read a translated version of the La Opinion piece highlighting the New Democrat Coalition's efforts below:
New Democrats, new Hispanics?
For the first time in the 113th Congress, the caucus created an immigration working group.
At the moment eight Latino legislators are part of the New Democrat Coalition.
PUBLISHED: Apr, 18, 2014 2:23 pm EST
Neither the base nor leadership dares say so out loud, but if Democrats want to take back the House of Representatives there are two phrases they need to say quickly: “pro-growth” and “fiscally responsible.” Both are promises of the New Democrat Coalition or “New Dems” where Hispanics are finding a place.
They are a strong group of 55 legislators that promises majority changes at the Capitol. There are a total of 199 Democrats and they are divided into the most liberal (progressives) and the most conservative (blue dogs), but New Dems have tried to avoid any labels and simply appeal to political moderation.
Republican spokespersons don’t give them the benefit of the doubt and have simply classified them as a marketing strategy to get closer to businesses.
Actually, their platform exists independently of their ideology. Their focus is on issues like free trade, tax reform, among others. Privately, they meet with businessmen, organize discussion forums and debate when and where they will make use of their collective influence.
But their numbers and focus haven’t yet been enough to leave a mark on elections. Sources within the House of Representatives assure that “although New Dems want to focus the campaign message more on economic growth, the predominant faction has been the one that supports economic inequality, which worries them.”
Enter the Hispanics
Before the start of this Congress in 2013, New Dems didn’t have a working group on immigration reform, that changed after the election and after they gained Hispanics in their ranks.
The “new kids” in Congress: Joaquín Castro, FilemónVela and Pete Gallego of Texas, Joe García of Florida and Juan Vargas of California, joined the only two Latinos of the group, Loretta Sánchez of California and PedroPierluisi Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico. It’s the highest influx of Latino legislators that has joined the coalition.
In 2014 Tony Cárdenas of California joined the coalition. “I wanted to take my time here and chose to join new democrats because I believe in their principles.”
“Hispanic businesses are the fastest-growing businesses in the country and I think there is a mew appreciation of them and their importance within the coalition,” he added, when asked about the influence of the Latino component on the group.
Castro is one of the legislators that make up the immigration working group within New Dems. “I think we have helped the immigration debate. There are 6 or 7 industries in the United States that would not exist like they have till now, if it weren’t for the immigrant workforce, and so Hispanic and business issues have intersected in a way that has enables us to join in a coalition,” he explained.
The New Democrats don’t just debate legislation, they also act through tier own Political Action Committee, to influence elections.
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