To serve or not to serve on a committee? It’s a question itching incoming members of Congress upon being elected to serve their respective districts in Washington D.C., but it’s a question best left to party leadership, tasked with assigning, appointing, and filling committees. 

The 118th Congress, tumultuous from the House Speaker vote, elevated Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy to the role, and he’s now third in line for the presidency, while Congressman Hakeem Jeffries serves as the Democratic minority leader. Notably, Jeffries is the first Black man to assume House leadership.

And while there are rare instances where members of Congress are not assigned committees — as is the case with Congressman George Santos of New York — the very first task for lawmakers is to find committees by caucusing with other members of the House and finding an influential role that aligns with their areas of expertise and desired aspirations on the Hill.

We cannot overstate the importance of serving on a committee because although passing bills and laws is a tenet of Congress and the White House, it is expected that lawmakers make decisive findings, deliberations, and decisions during committee recommendations before a bill comes to a vote on the House floor, which is a televised process for both chambers. 

As the number of Latino lawmakers grows, so does the voice of a more diverse electorate. In this Congress, a record number of Latinos are slated to serve on high-profile committees, and it remains to be seen how their presence alone will challenge the status quo behind committee hearings, investigations, and bill evaluation. 

AL DÍA News proudly presents the Latinos serving in Congress for the next two years and where you can find them in committee meetings.