A Democrats-only Hispanic caucus denied Republican Carlos Curbelo’s membership request Thursday after weeks of speculation and a bitter dispute between the Florida congressman and members of the group.
What first appeared to be a drama-free request by Curbelo to join the Congressional Hispanic Caucus turned into a nasty feud that left many members of the caucus agitated. Some ended up accusing the Republican of playing politics.
“After due consideration, the CHC determined not to accept Rep. Curbelo’s request to join the caucus,” said CHC spokesperson Carlos Paz, Jr. “The CHC isn’t just an organization for Hispanics; it is a caucus that represents certain values. This vote reflects the position of many of our members that Rep. Curbelo and his record are not consistent with those values.”
Curbelo called the decisions “shameful” and accused the caucus of building a wall around the organization.
“This sends a powerful and harmful message of discrimination, bigotry, and division,” Curbelo said. “Unbelievably, petty partisan interests have led the CHC to formally endorse the segregation of American Hispanics.”
Leading up to the vote, members of the CHC told the Washington Examiner that they planned to vote against Curbelo because of he hasn’t signed on to the Dream Act, which provides a pathway to citizenship for childhood arrivals.
Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., accused Curbelo of playing both sides: Saying he’d support the Dream Act to Democrats but then telling Republicans not to sign on.
“I see right through his politics,” Cardenas said. “He’s smiling at us and then stabbing the Latino community in the back.”
The fight took a strange turn earlier this week when Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told the Washington Examiner he would vote against Curbelo because of his support for House Speaker Paul Ryan.
An aide to Curbelo responded by accusing Gallego of wiping earwax on her shoulder. Curbelo then demanded an apology from Gallego.
“It is a dark day on Capitol Hill,” Curbelo said in a statement Thursday. “However, this only strengthens my commitment to working with my colleagues on both sides to urgently seek a solution for young immigrants in the DACA Program.”
