Civil and Voting Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the authorities in southern Louisiana have named a suspect in connection to the recent burning of three historical black churches in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Congresswoman Karen Bass, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response: “These acts of domestic terrorism serve as a reminder that we must remain focused and determined to further social justice in our country,” said Chairwoman Bass. “I strongly condemn these attacks ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the CBC, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Chairman of Homeland Security Committee and Congressman Cedric Richmond issued the following joint statement on the recent burning of Louisiana churches: “Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass, Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, and Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana’s Second Congressional District call on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and all federal law enforce... Read more

WASHINGTON – Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) met with officials from CBS News to discuss the importance of diversity in news coverage and insist the organization add more reporters of color to their roster of journalists chosen to cover the upcoming 2020 election campaign. CBS News recently faced criticism regarding the lack of diversity among the reporters chosen to cover the upcoming election. Following an initial meeting with CBC member Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Blac... Read more

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – led by CBC Chair Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02) and the co-chairs of the CBC Education and Labor Task Force, Congressmembers Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) – released the following statement on the school safety report the Department of Education released this morning. “The Trump Administration’s School Safety Commission Report is not only a missed opportunity to ensure every student is both sa... Read more

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – led by Chairman L. Cedric Richmond (D-LA-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) – issued the following joint statement in response to a new report prepared for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which reveals Russia targeted African American voters in attempts to suppress the vote in the 2016 election: “During the 2016 presidential election cy... Read more

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released a 3:26 mini documentary explaining what African Americans have lost under the Trump Administration and why it’s important for them to vote in November. From safety and security to healthcare, equality and justice and other issue areas, the mini documentary details how a number of policies and programs implemented by President Trump and his Administration have hurt African Americans and other marginalized communities. We Have Lost A Lot Video “... Read more

Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), along with the CBC Voting Rights Task Force co-chairs, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) released the following statement recognizing Monday, August 6 as the 53rd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: “The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in American history, ensuring all Americans have an equal op... Read more

Today, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), and the Chair of the CBC Police Accountability Task Force, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), released the following statements on the police shooting of Antwon Rose, an unarmed African-American teenager who was shot and killed while running away from a Pittsburgh, Pa., police officer. “When will this madness end?” asked CBC Chair Richmond, who wrote an open letter about police account... Read more

Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in an Ohio voter purge case, Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that Ohio’s practice of purging inactive voters from rolls does not violate federal law. “The Supreme Court has dealt yet another blow to voting rights,” Chairman Richmond said. “As result of this decision, the voic... Read more

In a letter to Senate leadership sent on Friday, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02) and the Chair of the Judicial Nominations Task Force, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), again blasted efforts by the Trump Administration and Senate Republicans to pack the federal bench with unqualified judges, including many who have a record of hostility to the rights of people of color, women, and workers. The letter follows several previous l... Read more