Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca has released the following statement:

I am deeply troubled by allegations with respect to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).  A months-old internal CHC discussion has been repackaged into accusations with sexual overtones through irresponsible reporting and inflammatory headline writing.  Let me repeat: These accusations are categorically untrue.

Many reports this week cite a conversation between California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and me; Speaker Nunez has subsequently confirmed that the reports were not accurate.  I refer you to an article that appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on February 1, 2007, in which Speaker Nunez said he had “no recollection” of being at a meeting with me where any slur was made, and added that he thinks he would remember if such “harsh” language had been used.  

I wish to clear up concerns raised about the CHC election of its leadership.   The election was held on November 15, 2006, when I was not yet serving in the Chair position and thus I did not administer the voting process.  The election adhered to the established rules and procedures of the CHC so there should be no question about the validity of the process or the outcome. Our bylaws make no mention of secret ballots, simply requiring that there be an affirmative vote of a majority of the CHC Members.[1]  As no Member requested a secret ballot for herself or himself, the candidates were reviewed individually by voice (to nominate and second) and by show of hands (to approve the nominations).  There was a straight up-or-down vote on the Chair position, and I was elected as the CHC Chair.

Some Members sent a letter to the current CHC Chair and the former CHC Chair at the start of the new Congress, expressing concerns with the election, which of course, was their right.  To address these concerns, Members discussed the points in the letter during an executive session of the CHC business meeting held on January 11, 2007 and voted to hold a secret ballot vote at the next CHC meeting.  On January 18, 2007 CHC Members voted (by secret ballot) to ratify the November 2006 election.  Although this meeting was open to all CHC Members, none of the Members who have since expressed concern attended the executive session.

On the issue regarding seniority in the CHC — for the Chair position, I was the only candidate who chose to run.  No other Members at the November 15^th meeting said they would want to serve as Chair, and no other Members were nominated.  It is inaccurate to say that a more senior Member was formally running to be CHC Chair.  

As to matters concerning BOLDPAC, these issues have been discussed, reported, and laid to rest.  I abstained from voting on the issue of distribution of funds to my sons’ campaigns.  However, upon concerns coming to light, my sons returned the money to BOLDPAC immediately on their own accord. 

I was sworn in as CHC Chair barely three weeks ago, but in that short time I have advanced the leadership and stature of our female members in many ways, including:

·              Appointing Representative Solis as Chair of the Health & Environment Task Force.

·              Recommending Representative Velazquez as Chair of the Economic Development Task Force.

·              Recommending Representative Loretta Sanchez as Chair of the Banking & Finance Taskforce as well as Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Banking & Finance.

·              Recommending Representative Linda Sanchez as Chair of the Civil Rights Task Force and as Vice-Chair of the Labor Task Force.

·           Appointing Representative Solis to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Board.

• Appointing Representative Napolitano as Chair of the Ad Hoc Committees on Mental Health, Water and Transportation.

·              Asking Governor Howard Dean to give Representative Velazquez a speaking role at the Democratic national convention.  

Also, my Chief of Staff, who has been an invaluable colleague and friend for almost 12 years, is a Latina and the majority of my staff is composed of very competent and dedicated Hispanic women. 

The CHC will continue to work on behalf of the Hispanic community.  We are facing urgent and critical issues now.  We cannot allow distractions or personality conflicts to interfere with the important work we are doing on issues including education, healthcare, immigration reform, small businesses and other issues that impact the Hispanic community.  

As a loving husband and father of two daughters, I look forward to making them proud of the work that we accomplish in the CHC. As CHC Chair, I look forward to continuing to work with all Members of Congress who are committed to the welfare of the Hispanic community and our nation.  We must continue to work together for the betterment of our community.

[1]The CHC Bylaws state:  “The Officers shall be selected at a meeting of the Caucus held during the organizational caucuses period for the new Congress by the affirmative vote of a majority of Caucus Members.  Newly elected Hispanic Members of Congress who intend to become Caucus Members shall be allowed to vote in the election of Caucus officers.”