Press Releases

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s farewell address from the Oval Office:

“As President Biden prepares to leave office, the Congressional Black Caucus applauds him for 50 years of public service and personal sacrifice to our nation. 

“When President Biden and Vice President Harris took office in January 2021, our country was in the midst of a once in a century global health emergency, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and an attempt to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. Today, our country's economy is strong, our standing on the world stage has been restored, and our democracy endures. 

“At the start of the 117th Congress, the CBC set out alongside the Biden-Harris White House to make meaningful change on behalf of the communities that we are honored to serve each day. We are immensely proud of our partnership and the work we have been able to achieve with President Biden over the past four years. 

“President Biden and Vice President Harris achieved the lowest Black unemployment rate on record, cancelled billions in student loans, created more than 2.4 million jobs for Black workers, and grew Black business ownership at the fastest rate in over three decades. During his tenure, he ensured more Black Americans through the Affordable Care Act, invested more than $16 billion dollars in HBCUs, lowered prescription drug costs, and took executive action on police reform in the wake of George Floyd. 

“President Biden will leave office with an extraordinary record – one for which our country can be proud for generations to come. 

“President Biden’s tenure will be remembered greatly for his commitment to racial equity, transforming the diversity of the federal judiciary, and domestic policy achievements such as the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, which have helped to create jobs, keep our communities safe, and our environment clean. His legacy and lifetime of service to our nation will be remembered for his moral clarity, and unyielding belief in the values that make our country and democracy strong. 

“The CBC has been honored to work hand in hand with him. We wish the President, Vice President, and their families well in the years to come.”