Senate Democrats Convene U.S. Senate Democratic Latino Summit
Senate Democrats Host Eva Longoria Bastón, José Andrés, And Other Latino Leaders From Across The Country
At A Time Of Devastating Attacks On The Latino Community, Senate Democrats And Latino Leaders Focus On Addressing The Most Pressing Challenges Facing The Community
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chair, Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair, Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) hosted a summit with Latino leaders and advocates from across the country to discuss the challenges facing America’s Latino community.
This summit comes at a time of devastating attacks on the Hispanic community, from the tragedy in El Paso, Texas to the Trump administration’s harmful policies. Senate Democrats are fighting to stop the harm the Trump Administration is doing to the Hispanic community and enact legislation that improves the lives of Latinos, including making quality health care more affordable, protecting DREAMers and passing comprehensive immigration reform, expanding economic opportunity, and making it easier, not harder, for eligible voters to vote, and more.
“Instead of building on the legacy and incredible strength of the Latino community, we have an administration that has gone out of its way to exclude and intimidate Latinos,” said Senator Schumer. “Today’s summit emphasized the great Latino talent we have from the streets of New York to the shores of California. Senate Democrats will continue celebrating the richness of the Latino community while fighting to deliver on the legislative priorities of the Latino community.”
“The fate of America’s Latino community, at nearly 60 million strong, is far more consequential to our nation’s future than the fleeting, hateful politics of this President,” said Senator Menendez. “Generations of Latino immigrants have shaped this country for the better, and to this day we are this nation’s greatest believers in the American dream. Today’s Latino Summit is about our future, our families, our hopes and dreams – and our willingness to come together, to organize together, to solve problems together, and ultimately, to succeed together. Let us choose hope over hate, let us dream of a future without fear, and let us continue breaking down barriers instead of building new walls.”
“We must stand up to the hatred that is terrorizing Latino communities and make it clear once and for all: Immigrants don’t diminish America, they are America,” said Senator Klobuchar at today’s Latino Summit.
“Today’s summit was an inspiring event that fostered important discussions on issues that matter to Latinos, from voting rights and census participation to immigration and representation in the workforce,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I was proud to share the stage with so many dedicated Latino leaders who are fighting to better this country, promote opportunity and make America a fairer place for all people.”
“I was proud to speak at the Senate Latino Summit this morning to highlight the contributions of Latinos and Latinas to our country,” said Senator Durbin. “I believe in my heart that diversity is our strength, and our country is better because of it. We must ensure that this Senate Latino Summit is not just a celebration of the progress we’ve made, but a determination of how we can and will expand opportunities for Latinos and Latinas across the United States.”
“I was excited and honored to meet with Latino leaders from Washington state and across the country who have been such great partners in the fight to raise workers’ wages, invest in education, ensure everyone in our country can get the quality, affordable health care they need, and more,” said Senator Murray. “While President Trump has been constantly trying to divide us and move our country backwards, these leaders are working to bring their communities together and move us forward—and I am looking forward to our continued work together.”
“Our nation is at a crossroads and we have two starkly different paths before us,” said Senator Udall. “There is the president’s path: of division, racism, hatred, and targeting Hispanic communities. But we in New Mexico choose a different path. We know that our multi-culturalism does not divide us, it defines us. New Mexico is a proud majority-minority state – our Hispanic communities are fundamental to both our state’s identity and our nation’s identity. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to ensure that Hispanic families in New Mexico and across the country have the health care, economic and educational opportunity, and access to the ballot box that they deserve.”
“The Latino community is woven into the fabric of our nation—making invaluable contributions to every aspect of life in America,” said Senator Merkley. “Today’s Latino Summit was an important opportunity for Senators and community leaders to discuss critical issues facing Latinos across the country. Between the Trump administration’s unimaginably cruel immigration policies and frequent attempts to create a climate of fear around immigration, to unacceptably anemic recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and systematic efforts to suppress and intimidate voters, the time is now for Congress to reaffirm its commitment to treating every person with the decency and respect they deserve.”
“I’m thankful we got the opportunity to hear from leaders like José Andrés about issues facing the Latinx community. Latinx Americans have contributed so much to Virginia and our nation, and it’s more important than ever that we stand up for them,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud Senate Democrats are focused on policies that support the Latinx community, like immigration reform, affordable health care, and expanding economic opportunity. Today’s summit helped bring these issues to the forefront.”
“In my home state of Nevada, our diversity truly is one of our greatest strengths,” said Senator Rosen. “We must ensure that Nevada’s Latino community, one of the largest Latino communities in the country, has access to the resources necessary to succeed, and we must address critical issues that impact our communities, issues such as access to quality education, affordable health care, workforce training, and comprehensive immigration reform. I will continue working with my colleagues on legislation that supports Nevada’s many diverse communities.”
You may watch the event here.
###
