Cruz and Rubio propose banning ‘Latinx’ term in federal use.

Caden PearsonJuly 13, 2023

U.S. Senators Aim to Prohibit Use of “Latinx” Term in Federal Communication

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have unveiled an engaging new bill that seeks to prohibit the use of the controversial term “Latinx” in official federal communication.

The Respect for Hispanic Americans Act (pdf), introduced by Mr. Cruz and Mr. Rubio, addresses a contentious issue within the Hispanic community, as data shows that most oppose the term.

If successful, this bill would take a firm stance against what the lawmakers argue is an unnecessary imposition on the language and identity of Hispanic Americans, by prohibiting the use of “Latinx” in official government communication by federal agencies or employees.

“Hispanic Americans overwhelmingly oppose the term ‘Latinx,’ and I want to make sure our government does not bow to woke activists in our federal departments or agencies by insisting on ridiculous terminology like this,” Mr. Cruz said in a statement.

According to Mr. Cruz, the term “Latinx” has no place in official government communication, and he proudly works with Sen. Rubio to keep it out.

“Hispanic Americans don’t need fabricated woke terminology imposed on us,” Mr. Rubio said. “The term ‘Latinx’ has no place in our federal agency’s official communication as it’s a degradation tossed around by progressive elites.”

The term “Latinx” emerged in the 1990s from Latino and Latina youth and the LGBT community, representing a link to the indigenous heritage of many individuals, according to Maia Gil’Adi, an assistant professor of “Latinx and Multiethnic Literature” at Boston University.

The bill states that the term is unnecessary and inappropriate, and its use should be eliminated from official government communication. The bill’s sponsors believe it is important to respect the wishes of Hispanic Americans, who overwhelmingly oppose the term.