In the News

Rep. Karen Bass Reintroduces George Floyd Policing Bill in Congress CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS URGE CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION BY DONNA OWENS · FEBRUARY 26, 2021 When George Floyd gasped his final breath last May after a Minneapolis police officer was captured on viral video kneeling on his neck, Black Lives Matter protests swept the nation and world. Yet the anguish, demonstrations and demands for an end to police brutality haven’t halted the violence; more than 100 unarmed people have been killed... Read more

A Historic Meeting: Vice President Kamala Harris Welcomes Congressional Black Caucus to the White House COVID-19 AND THE ECONOMY WERE ON THE AGENDA COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE BY DONNA OWENS · FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Vice President Kamala Harris held a historic meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) at the White House, discussing issues of importance to Black communities and all Americans. The one-hour meeting took place on Thursday in the Vice President’s ceremonial office. It ... Read more

Dear Colleague: It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for the 116th Congress. We began this Congress as the largest and most powerful Caucus in history, with 55 Members, five full Committee Chairs, and three Members of House Democratic Leadership. I am proud of all that we collectively accomplished with the power we held, from the passage of voting rights legislation and permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to a national tou... Read more

Washington, D.C. – The Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Karen Bass, issued the statement below following the election of the Executive Committee for the 117th Congress by acclamation: “On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee for the 117th Congress! In 1971, thirteen Black Members of Congress organized their efforts to help improve the conditions of Black people in America and around the world. Though small in numb... Read more

As our nation mourns the loss of John Lewis, we’re also grappling with how to address the removal of statues commemorating historically racist figures. But our thoughts must turn to our country’s foundational documents. These governing documents are so tied to who we are as Americans that we have often been blind to the systemic racism that is embedded within them. It’s something John Lewis spent his life fighting against. The Declaration of Independence was a founding document of a new world, a... Read more

The role of the CBC at this historic moment is to identify, fight for, and win the best legislative change and the maximum level of resources possible to help the Black community not just survive the pandemic, but prepare to thrive in the aftermath. In order to develop the best legislation possible, we need to make sure we are as close as possible to the pulse of our people around the nation, wherever they may be. We are calling on you to join our SPEAK UP & SPEAK OUT Virtual Town Hall Series t... Read more

IN THE INAUGURAL COLUMN FOR ESSENCE’S "IN HER WE TRUST," REP. KAREN BASS (CA-37), CHAIRWOMAN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, WRITES ABOUT BLACK WOMEN PROTECTING DEMOCRACY. Read more

As we celebrate the contributions of African Americans this month, we’d like to highlight a policy area where the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) — created in 1971, a year after the first observance of Black History Month — has played a pivotal role and where many of its members are now working to build on past achievements. It’s the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), particularly the EITC for working people who aren’t raising minor children in their home but are working hard for low wages and tr... Read more

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... Read more

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Tuesday marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first African slaves in North America, according to USA Today. “All of our history is what makes this country a great country,’’ CBC Chairwoman Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) said at the Tuesday event held at the U.S. Capitol's Emancipation Hall. “Today we complete the journey that we began in Ghana,’’ she added, referencing a trip by several caucus members over the summer to the African nat... Read more