Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          July 9, 2013
 CONTACT: Ayofemi Kirby
(202) 226-9776
Ayofemi.Kirby@mail.house.gov

Readout of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Meeting with President Obama

Today, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) met with President Barack Obama about voting rights, education, poverty and economic issues, and immigration reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

During the meeting, CBC Members discussed the urgency of addressing high student loan interest rates and changes to the Parent PLUS loan program that have adversely impacted students and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); ways to address poverty and the high unemployment rate within the African American community; and ways to increase opportunities for minority small business owners in both urban and rural communities. The CBC also discussed how critical comprehensive immigration reform is to immigrants of all nationalities and to raising the quality of life for American workers.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on the Voting Rights Act, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting discriminatory practices in voting requirements across the country and to working with the CBC on legislation that protects every American’s right to vote. President Obama committed to working with the CBC on targeted strategies to address unemployment among African Americans and highlighted the importance of passing immigration reform legislation that includes immigrants of African and Caribbean descent. The President was also receptive to many recommendations posed by the CBC to address issues facing our nation’s vulnerable communities, including the 10-20-30 targeted plan to end poverty.

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