Civil and Voting Rights

The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement following the announcement by Speaker Nancy Pelosi that two members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Val Demings (FL-10), as managers for the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump in the United States Senate: “As the conscience of the Congress, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Representatives Jeffries and Demings, have worked tirelessly to ensure that our dem... Read more

The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement after the House voted to approve two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump: “This is indeed a dark time in our nation’s history. For only the third time in United States history, a sitting President has been impeached by the House of Representatives. The facts are undeniable: Donald J. Trump has abused the power of the office of the Presidency in his blatant attempt to cheat his way to reelection. Congress is a c... Read more

Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee’s vote to approve two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump: “Today is a somber day in the House of Representatives. For only the fourth time in United States history, the House Judiciary Committee has voted to advance articles of impeachment against a sitting President. The facts are clear: the 45th President of the United States of America a... Read more

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... 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

Yesterday, the Congressional Black Caucus, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, commemorated the 400th year anniversary of enslaved Africans being forcibly brought to America. Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) at a congressional ceremony in observance of the 400th anniversary of the first-recorded forced arrival of enslaved African people in Jamestown, VA and to mark the “Year of Return.” Below are Speaker Pelosi's remarks: "Good morning, everyone! And a good morning it... Read more

From the voices of Howard University’s choir to the resonating sound of drums, African culture encompassed the Capitol on Tuesday as the Congressional Black Caucus commemorated the 400th anniversary of the first recorded forced arrival of enslaved African people in the United States. “We celebrate certain parts of our history and the ideals that are the foundation of our country but we have been reluctant to examine and embrace all of our history,” California Congresswoman Karen Bass said. Bass... Read more

In Deborah Simmons’ recent column “CBC is not black America’s BFF,” the author oddly blames the plight of black America on labor unions and the Democratic Party. Predictably rather than thoughtful analysis and an honest accounting of why black America must fight — especially in the Trump-era — the author relies on baseless rhetoric conservatives have used for generations to suggest the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) does not fight for our communities. Yet the author offers no solutions or acco... Read more

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made the case for reparations for the descendants of slaves in part because of President Trump's behavior. Under the Texas Democrat's proposal, a commission would be created to determine who would receive the payments and how much. "Tragically, 250 years of slavery in the United States for those enslaved Africans did not receive workman’s comp, salary, 401(k), or anything, and literally built the wealth of the United States and Europe," Jackson told MSNBC on Tuesday. "I t... Read more

There’s nothing like going home. As observances of the 400th anniversary of Africans landing in colonial America continue, members of Congress are among those making pilgrimages to the motherland. This summer, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled on official business to Ghana. At least a dozen CBC members journeyed to the West African nation. They included CBC Chair Karen Bass and Democratic leadership such as Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Barbara... Read more