Civil and Voting Rights

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

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – led by CBC Chairman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02) – announced the introduction of the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018, 1,300-page omnibus legislation that would, if passed, increase the upward social mobility of Black families, and help ensure equal protection under the law. The CBC hopes the legislation will serve as a guiding light for any White House, major legislative caucus, or member of Congress who claims to care about the African-American communi... Read more

A letter to Senate Majority Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging the Senate to reject the appointment of Stuart Kyle Duncan to the federal bench. Read more

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of civil rights legend the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement: “As we commemorate the 50th year since Dr. King was brutally taken from us, let us never forget his relentless fight for freedom. Dr. King is often remembered as a peaceful man concerned about unity above all else. As we commemorate this mournful day, I urge Americans to remember tha... Read more

This week, Texas resident Crystal Mason was sentenced to five years in prison for voting in the 2016 presidential election. At the time, she was on supervised release back to her community after serving out a previous prison sentence. She maintains that she was not made aware of the fact that she was not allowed to vote due to her status as an ex-felon. Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response: “Voting is our most fundamental... Read more

WASHINGTON – Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The statement was originally published in The Washington DC 100’s MLK edition. “While it’s impossible to fill Dr. King’s shoes, the CBC continues to honor his legacy. The policies we promote and the tactics we use are proof. We legislate, debate and convene. We also boycott, sit-in and kneel. “The CBC is be... Read more

Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement on the appointment of Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On December 7, Chairman Richmond sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging him to appoint a CBC member to the Committee after Senator Al Franken (D-MN) announced his intent to resign. “Today, Senator Booker and Senator Harris, two gre... Read more