Chairman of U.S. Congress' Hispanic Caucus defends record on women after protests of slur By ERICA WERNER WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Joe Baca, Democratic chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who was accused in 2008 of disrespecting female caucus members and calling one of them a "whore," is defending his record on women. "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,'' Baca, a Mexican-American, said in a statement. He said he had appointed one female caucus member to chair a task force and appointed or recommended several others for leadership positions, including fellow California Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez. She is the woman who made the "whore" accusation and quit the caucus. Baca denies calling Sanchez a whore. Sanchez's spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "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," said Baca. "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." Baca was supported by only one of six women in the 21-member, all-Democratic caucus when he was elected chairman in November, and Sanchez, her sister Rep. Linda Sanchez, and two others subsequently contested the election procedure and asked for a new secret-ballot vote. In his statement, Baca also defended his election in detail, citing CHC bylaws in support of its legitimacy. Female caucus members have complained of being ignored and disrespected in the heavily male organization. Tension has also been created by the fact that several of the women are close to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, which Baca is not.

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