The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released the following statement after the House passed H.R.4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, critical legislation to restore the full strength of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. Yet from the founding of our nation, we have struggled to extend the franchise to all. During the civil rights movement, courageous Americans fought in the courts, marched, agitated, and gave the ‘last full measure...
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The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) issued the following statement following a border trip to Tijuana, Mexico, to meet with Black immigrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The trip was led by CBC Chair Karen Bass (CA-37) and included Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Yvette Clarke (NY-09), as well as Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51), who represents the U.S. side of the border. “There is an untold story woven into the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Most Americans are well a...
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Thousands of Black migrants from around the globe seeking new lives in America are instead stuck in limbo in Mexico. Amid reports of their mistreatment and an African migrant’s death, several members of Congress recently traveled across the U.S.-Mexico border to meet the asylum seekers. Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) of the Congressional Black Caucus visited Tijuana, Mexico, on Friday. Also making the trip was Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), a member of the Congre...
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The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue regarding the Department’s proposed rule to eliminate broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its adverse impact on access to school meals for nearly 1 million school-age children. “It is unfathomable that as Americans are preparing for the holiday season and Thanksgiving, President Donald Trump’s Administration is...
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The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on the passing of founding CBC Member and Former Congressman John Conyers: “The Congressional Black Caucus mourns the loss of one of its founding members, the longest-serving African American in Congress, and the former Dean of the House – Congressman John Conyers. A son of Detroit and champion of civil rights, Mr. Conyers lived a life dedicated to serving the community in which he was raised. He leaves a legacy of more than 5 decades...
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The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on the passing of House Oversight Committee Chairman and Congressional Black Caucus Member, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings: “We – the nation, the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and the United States Congress - have all suffered a tremendous loss. As a lifelong advocate for justice, equality, and the truth, Elijah Cummings was the true definition of a leader and his commitment to civility and humanity were invaluable in time...
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On Tuesday, Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee introduced the College Affordability Act, which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act. On September 30, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – Congressional Black (CBC) Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-27), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) – sent a letter to leadership of both the Senate and House education ...
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Today, Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian prime minister was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his relentless pursuit of democratic reforms and regional peacemaking efforts that ultimately led to the end of a standoff with Eritrea. Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) issued the following statement on behalf of the CBC: “I would like to congratulate Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. This honor is well deserved for Africa’s youngest lead...
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Today, Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – which represents over half of the Democratic Caucus and includes the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) – requested the Department of Defense explain in detail the selection process used for canceling military projects in the amount of $3.6 billion to fund a border wall. Secretary of Defense Esper approved the reprogramming of $1.8 billion from over 30 domes...
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The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response to Comcast Corp. V. National Association of African American-Owned Media (NAAOM), which is currently pending before the Supreme Court of the United States. “The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is deeply disappointed and concerned by this case because it would upend a seminal civil rights statute passed during Reconstruction to root out all racial discrimination in contracting. Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866...
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