LIVE BLOG: The Latest 2020 Election News From Latino Lawmakers and Advocates

By Araceli Cruz

October 16, 2020

Welcome to The Americano’s live blog with all the latest election news from Latino lawmakers and advocates. This blog will be updated daily as we approach Election Day.

Latino Lawmakers: “Democracy Is Working. Keep the Faith.”

Thursday, Nov. 5, 11:35 a.m. EST

While President Donald Trump is tweeting to “stop the count,” Latino lawmakers demand election officials continue to count until they’re done. 

Rep. Nanette D. Barragán (D-Calif.) who won her race once again, tweeted at the president, “counting votes is not ‘finding’ votes. Maybe you should learn how the election system works instead of lying/misleading by tweet all the time.” 

Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) who also won her race, tweeted, “Only the American people decide who wins an election. We knew results would take a while and there are still a lot of votes left to be counted. Our democracy is working. Be patient and keep the faith. #Election2020.


Latinos Lawmakers Cheer on Voters Across the Country

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 5:42 p.m. EST

Most people are out in line waiting to vote, and Latino leaders are out there with them. Several Latino lawmakers (and candidates) tweeted images of how voting is going across the country.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-New York) tweeted, “I am proud to see New Yorkers turning out in record numbers. No matter who you supported, you’ve done your civic duty. Let’s make sure we all get to the polls today. #vote #electionday.”

Former presidential candidate Julián Castro was in Texas with his twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), speaking with voters.

“We can do this in Texas,” Julián tweeted. “Visiting low-turnout neighborhoods this morning, I saw incredible enthusiasm. Let’s win this thing.”


Latino Lawmakers’ Election Day Message: ‘Your Vote Is Your Voice’

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 12:45 p.m. EST

On Election Day, every moment is critical and Latino Congress members are encouraging everyone to go vote, while also making sure their constituents are informed and safe. 

Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) tweeted, “Your vote is your voice—don’t let anyone intimidate you or try to tell you it won’t count you. If you are facing voter intimidation, or if you need help of any kind at the polls, call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.”

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) tweeted, “Attention South Texans: Election Day is today! Polling places across Texas will be open until 7 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 3. As long as you are in line by 7 PM, you will be allowed to vote. When voting in person, make sure to bring a valid ID and follow health guidelines.”


Latino Lawmakers Demand DHS Stop Deporting Undocumented Immigrants Without Trial

Friday, Oct. 30, 5:32 p.m. EST

As we reported earlier this month, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been ramping up deportations by excluding the hearing process. 

Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) sent a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and ICE senior official Tony Pham demanding they suspend this program of deportation. Several congress members signed the letter. 

We urge DHS to suspend the implementation of expanded ER and answer key questions pertaining to procedures pursuant to this policy, including but not limited to the implementation memorandum and the training course provided to ICE officers,” the members wrote. “No other information is readily available on how DHS and ICE plan to execute this policy, the process underlying expanded ER, the content of the training course, or when the policy becomes effective. DHS and ICE must thoroughly inform Congress about [the] status of this policy and how it will be carried out by newly trained ICE officers.”

Click here to read the entire letter. 


Latino Representatives Voice Their Fury Over ‘Disgraceful’ Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. EST

To much anger and frustration from Latino congress members, Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in last night as the newest justice on the US Supreme Court

The Hispanic Caucus tweeted, “It’s disgraceful that Senate Republicans rammed through a Supreme Court nominee who supports taking health care away from millions of people with preexisting conditions and could not even condemn the separation of immigrant families. We’ll keep fighting…”

Rep. Nanette D. Barragán (D-Calif.) echoed that statement saying the Senates rush to appoint Barrett so soon before the presidential election was not in the best interest of the people of this country. 

“Confirming Justice Barrett 8 days before Election Day is hypocritical & wrong for the American people,” Rep. Barragán tweeted. “After tonight’s vote, our healthcare, our reproductive rights, our environment, our voting rights & even the fair outcome of this election are at risk.”


Latino Lawmakers: Amy Coney Barrett’s Rise To The Court Could Devastate Affordable Care Act

Monday, Oct. 26, 11:21 a.m. EST

As the Senate moves forward with confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court, Latino Congress members made their plea to save the Affordable Care Act. 

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Florida) tweeted a story that discusses how Latinos’ healthcare became vulnerable as soon as President Donald Trump became president. “Four million Latino adults and 600,000 Latino children got coverage under Obamacare, but gains began reversing when Trump took office and are exacerbated by coronavirus job losses,” according to NBC News

“The president has already started dismantling our health care. And if his lawsuit is successful, he will dismantle it completely, leaving millions uninsured. His actions are dangerous,” Rep. Mucarsel-Powell said. 

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) tweeted about the Nov. 10 Affordable Care Act arguments that the Supreme Court will hear and said implementing Barrett to the highest court will end the healthcare-for-all system. 

“Senator McConnell & President Trump want a justice who shares their views on the ACA seated on the Court by that date,” Sen. Cortez Masto tweeted. “#WhatsAtStake if Trump & McConnell get their way & the ACA is dismantled? Over 20M Americans would lose their health coverage & more than 135M people would lose protections for their preexisting conditions—including 95K Nevadans who’ve had #COVID & 1.2M Nevadans w/other preexisting conditions.”


Florida and Texas Latina Congresswomen Aren’t Messing Around When It Comes to Better COVID Testing

Friday, Oct. 23, 3:53 p.m. EST

COVID-19 testing varies from state to state. Some states have a surplus of rapid COVID testing, others do not. Two Latina congresswomen are pushing for better health services for their constituents. 

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) successfully raised millions for improved health services including COVID testing. Since her appointment to Congress, she’s helped secure $50 million of federal funds for community health centers. 

“I am so proud to have brought these funds to our district’s community health centers to provide essential care during this crisis,” said Mucarsel-Powell in a statement on Oct. 22. “These centers play a critical role in our community, providing quality care regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. The funds have helped our community by not only bringing the first drive-thru testing to South Florida, but also by implementing virtual telehealth and mental health and substance abuse services. I will continue to fight to make sure that my constituents receive top-notch services from these community health centers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Rep. Verónica Escobar (D-Texas) said she knows people in El Paso are suffering, need better health care, and efficient COVID testing. Unfortunately, she’s not getting the help she’s urging for. 

“I had hoped to hear a stronger approach by the City at their press conference today, to include more testing, quicker and more thorough contact tracing, stronger enforcement, and a push to reclaim local public health authority from the State, but that was not the case,” Rep. Escobar said in a statement on Oct. 21. “As the weather cools and the spike continues to rise, local governments must take a much more aggressive approach to prevent more spread and deaths, or we will suffer from the same misery that we witnessed in the Rio Grande Valley.”


435,000 People Watched AOC Do Voter Outreach by Playing ‘Among Us’ on Twitch

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:22 p.m. EST

Last night, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) urged young people to get out and vote! So how did she reach out to this vital demographic? Via Twitch, a popular gaming platform. 

The Bronx congresswoman live-streamed herself playing Among Us, a space-themed game, which garnered 435,000 live viewers, according to Twitch.

Twitch—a video live streaming service operated by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of Amazon— is where people can interact with each other through games, music, and much more. 

“Thank you all so much for joining my first ever Twitch stream, I guess I hope it’s not the last, I’m still kind of getting my bearings out here so we’ll see,” Ocasio-Cortez said on Twitch.

_____________

545 Undocumented Children Are Orphans Because of Trump

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3:15 p.m. EST

Latino lawmakers sounded off on a new lawsuit that shows 545 undocumented children have yet to be reunited with their parents. The case stems from a 2019 investigation in which a federal judge ordered an immigration advocacy group to locate parents that were separated from their children at the border in 2017. 

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) tweeted, “545 CHILDREN are still missing their parents because of Trump administration’s inhumane actions- this negligence is emotional violence, inflicted upon countless children and families. There can never be justification for this cruelty.”

Read our full story here


AOC, Rep. Grijalva, and More Tell Biden to Say No To Corporate Hires

Monday, Oct. 19, 12:45 p.m. EST

As Election Day nears, Democrats are already looking at what the White House would look if Joe Biden should win. In a letter signed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and other progressive Democrats, they informed Biden that he should learn from the mistakes of President Donald Trump and not hire corporate executives or special interest lobbyist to his cabinet.

“We therefore write to you today to urge you to oppose Senate confirmation of any nominee to an executive branch position who is currently or has been a lobbyist for any corporate client or c-suite officer for a private corporation, in this or any future administration.”

Click here to read the entire letter.


JLo Endorses Joe Biden for President

Friday, Oct. 16, 12:45 p.m. EST

Just a few weeks before Election Day, Jennifer Lopez and her fiance Alex Rodriguez have officially endorsed Joe Biden for President of the United States.

“My kind of hope and quest for the Latino community is that they start understanding their power. They understand what they mean to this country, that their vote counts,” Lopez said. “For me, it’s unifying the nation again. Getting rid of this hate, thinking about my kids walking around in a world where you know it’s OK to be racist or prejudiced because our administration says it’s OK. That to me is really sad because it’s not the country I grew up in.”

Watch the discussion below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGaJ2VrJT6_/

Rep. Linda Sánchez wants the DHS to have a flu plan for detained migrants.

Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m. EST

Medical officials nationwide say this flu season will be one of the worst in recent history. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone to get their flu shot, but does that apply to detained people? Latino lawmakers say yes. 

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) task force on immigration, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asking them what their plan is regarding getting flu shots for undocumented people inside detention centers. “More can and should be done to mitigate the health risks of the COVID-19 pandemic and influenza season,” the letter stated. 

The letter to DHS was signed by 56 congress members, including Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Rep. Sylvia García (D-Texas), and Raúl Grijalva (D-Texas). 

The CDC estimates that the flu has resulted in between 9 million and 45 million illnesses, from 140,000 to 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010.


Early voting surges in Florida, Texas, and Georgia

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1:15 p.m. EST

People are eager to vote! Proof of this excitement is early-voting turnout. The US Elections Project reports that 14,208,670 ballots have been submitted, including almost 2 million ballots in Florida, almost 800,000 in Georgia and over 900,000 in Texas. So who is showing up to vote early? The Democrats. 

Almost 4 million Democratic voters have already submitted their ballots, and 1.5 million Republicans have done the same, according to the US Elections Project.

RELATED: So You’ve Already Voted. Now What?

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