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Congressional Hispanic Caucus throws weight behind Biden

Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., asks questions to Richard Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing Thursday, May 14, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has thrown its support behind President Biden as he faces growing calls to withdraw from the presidential race.

Caucus Chair Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-Calif.) and deputy caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) released a statement Monday night affirming their support for Biden and Vice President Harris’s reelection efforts. Their statement comes as Biden and his team attempt to quell the backlash he’s received from a poor debate showing with former President Trump last month.

“We stand with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” the caucus leaders said in a statement. “For the last year and a half, the Biden-Harris Administration partnered with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ initiative to take CHC on the Road. Through that initiative we have worked to empower Latino communities across the country.”

The statement said the caucus was on the road with first lady Jill Biden last week in Allentown, Pa., where more than half of the population is Latino. The caucus leaders also noted Biden has worked to make “historic investments” within communities across the country, including Latinos.

They also pointed to Biden’s immigration relief he announced last month that will help spouses of certain U.S. citizens remain in the country if they meet specific requirements.

“We look forward to our continued partnership on the road and legislative wins to benefit the American people,” the lawmakers wrote.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have also backed Biden following the debate. Biden met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Monday night, where the campaign said he would “discuss the stakes of the 2024 election and their shared commitment to beating Donald Trump this November.”