Congressional Black Caucus RSS Articles

Congressional Black Caucus Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decision on Louisiana v. Callais

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“One of the most enduring myths about American democracy is that it has always been fully formed and equally accessible—but the truth is far more complicated. Since our nation declared independence nearly 250 years ago, the promise of democracy has been incomplete, expanding only through struggle, resistance, and the insistence of those it excluded.

“The truth is that our nation was not yet a true multi-racial democracy until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally enforced the 15th Amendment, opening the door for Black and minority Americans to cast their ballots on Election Day. This landmark legislation was not given freely; it was fought for, organized for, litigated for, and ultimately won through the blood and sacrifices of Black men and women who demanded better of their country.

“Today, just 60 years later, with the stroke of a pen, this rogue, unaccountable Court has effectively signed the death certificate of the Voting Rights Act, undoing decades of Black progress. Without the protections of the VRA, Republicans now have the ability to move forward with a nationwide scheme to rig congressional maps in their favor—to manufacture more districts for themselves by eliminating majority-Black districts, while stripping away the ability to challenge those racist, anti-Black maps in court. This decision undermines the clear intent of Congress, which established that fair and equal representation is a cornerstone of our democracy, and could open the door for sweeping redistricting changes in the South. Instead, your representatives in Congress can be chosen by the state and imposed on you. Not since Jim Crow have we seen this level of systematic disenfranchisement of Black voters.

“We did not arrive at this moment blindly. For years, we have warned that the steady erosion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would lead to exactly this outcome. That is why we have been preparing—organizing in our communities, building legal strategies, and advancing legislation—to meet this moment head-on.”

“The legitimacy of the Supreme Court has been deeply undermined by this decision. At its best, the Court has worked to expand our fundamental rights, but this ruling reflects a malignant impulse to reshape American society—one governed not by liberty or law, but by ideology imposed from the bench.

“It is beyond dismay that the Court once led by Thurgood Marshall, which helped define the meaning of constitutional liberty through decisions like Brown v. Board of Education, which dismantled “separate but equal”; Miranda v. Arizona, which protected the rights of the accused; and New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, which fortified freedom of speech and the press, has now laid to rest the foundation on which our representative democracy stands: the promise that the power to choose one’s representatives lies with the people.

“We are left with no other choice. The CBC is willing to take any measure necessary to bring a legislative solution to the floor to protect Black voters around the country from this extremist effort to diminish Black voices and access to fair representation. We are demanding a vote on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act without delay.

“Our nation’s highest court has been compromised. The CBC will make it our mission to aggressively advance Supreme Court reform. We will work to establish term limits for justices to help restore independence, neutrality, and legitimacy to the Court. We must do all in our power to protect voters from race-based discrimination and set minimum standards that ensure all Americans can participate in free and fair elections.

“To be clear: It is not just on Black communities to carry the burden of an extremist, right-wing government that sees our rights, humanity, and belonging in democracy as optional at best, and disposable at worst. Our democracy’s best hope is that every American of good will stands up and says enough is enough. This fight is just getting started, and we will not be moved. Our presence at the ballot box in November must be overwhelming. We must become too big to rig so that we take back the House and Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act—and go even further, toward stronger, more comprehensive protections that meet the scale of this moment. We will organize, litigate, and mobilize until the promise of this democracy is not just defended, but fully realized for everyone.”

Congressional Black Caucus Condemns CFPB’s Decision to End Anti-Discrimination Protections in Lending

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“The Congressional Black Caucus strongly condemns the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision to roll back anti-discrimination protections in lending under pressure from President Trump. The decision to end these long-held protections is a step backward in the fight to promote equitable access to credit for all Americans.

“For decades, “disparate impact” standards have served as a critical tool to identify and prevent discriminatory practices that, while not always explicit, have caused real harm to Black communities and historically marginalized groups. CFPB’s decision to eliminate these protections weaken the federal government’s ability to hold lenders accountable and opens the door to discrimination, particularly in AI based models.

“At a time when families across the country are facing economic uncertainty, this decision risks exacerbating existing inequities in access to housing, education, and small business financing.

“The Congressional Black Caucus rejects this Administration’s false premise that civil rights protections are a burden on businesses. On the contrary, fairness and transparency are foundational to a thriving economy. To be clear: this is part of a border effort by the Trump Administration to erode civil rights protections for our communities. This decision by CFPB is misguided and cannot stand. We must take every legal action available to reinstate these protections at CFPB to protect our communities from discrimination in lending.”

Congressional Black Caucus Amplifies Horsford’s Demand for Corporate Accountability in $175 Billion Tariff Refunds

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) led a letter to the heads of ten major companies, calling for transparency and accountability to ensure that looming tariff refunds reach the working families who ultimately paid higher prices at the checkout counter.

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“President Donald Trump has spent years promising to put hardworking families and small businesses first, but his trade war has done the exact opposite. As a result of his illegal tariffs, the cost of goods and services has skyrocketed for the average consumer and business owner.

“Following a Supreme Court ruling holding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to unilaterally impose tariffs, the Trump administration must now refund $175 billion. As it stands, there is no mechanism to ensure that the families and consumers most harmed by these illegal trade policies will receive the refunds they deserve. It is imperative that Congress take action to ensure these refunds are accessible to the families and small businesses that were forced to bear these higher costs.

“The Congressional Black Caucus applauds Chair Emeritus Rep. Steven Horsford for his leadership and amplifies his calls for greater transparency and accountability for corporations that, without congressional action, could be the primary beneficiaries of these refunds. We cannot rely solely on the goodwill of corporations to look out for the average consumers who make their profits possible.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on the Passing of Representative David Scott

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“Today, the Congressional Black Caucus is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed colleague, Congressman David Scott. Our hearts go out to his wife, Alfredia Aaron Scott, and the entire Scott family during this time of bereavement.

“During his twelve extraordinary terms in the House of Representatives, Congressman Scott was a strong voice for farmers, jobs, healthcare, education, veterans, children, and our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities — playing an instrumental role in efforts to extend federal scholarships at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions.

“Congressman Scott’s impact on the CBC spans decades. He served as a leader, mentor, and dear friend. Always true to our mission, Congressman Scott advocated tirelessly on behalf of Black Americans until the very end.

“Congressman Scott made history as the first Black man to chair the powerful U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. During his many years leading and serving on the committee, Congressman Scott worked tirelessly to protect the interests of farmers and ranchers — ensuring that America’s agriculture sector remained strong and globally competitive.

“As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Scott advocated tirelessly on behalf of homeowners — championing the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), and the Making Home Affordable Program.

“Congressman Scott was a dedicated public servant who loved his community and family dearly. We are deeply grateful for his many years of service to Georgia and our nation. We are praying for his family during this extremely difficult time. May his memory be a blessing to all.”

Statement from the Congressional Black Caucus on the Service of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“The Congressional Black Caucus recognizes the service of our colleague, Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

“She came to Congress with a deep commitment to her community and a determination to serve the people of South Florida, making history as the first Haitian American Democrat elected to Congress. In doing so, she helped broaden representation and brought visibility to the experiences and aspirations of Haitian Americans and the broader Caribbean diaspora.

“During her time in office, she worked to uplift her constituents and elevate issues impacting underserved communities at home and abroad. Her voice and perspective contributed to the ongoing effort to ensure that Congress reflects the people it serves.

“We extend our appreciation for her service and offer our prayers for her and her family. We wish them strength and peace in the days ahead.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“Amid reports of misconduct, another Trump cabinet secretary is out. Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was unqualified to lead our nation’s Labor Department, and by many measures, led the agency in the wrong direction.

“Before taking office, Donald Trump promised to prioritize and protect American workers, but that was unsurprisingly untrue. Instead, the Department of Labor under Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership, has carried out President Trump’s anti-labor policies – rolling back workplace discrimination enforcement, reducing workers’ wages, dismantling programs and benefits for working families, and attacking workers’ union and collective bargaining rights. These actions are not at all in the interest of hard-working American families.

“Particularly alarming is the persistent disparity in unemployment rates for Black workers, which has remained consistently higher than the national average. Rather than addressing these inequities with meaningful policy solutions, the Trump Administration has weakened the very protections and programs designed to close those gaps.

“Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's departure couldn’t have come sooner.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on the Ongoing Conflict in Sudan

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“As Sudan enters its fourth year of conflict, we are confronted with a profound humanitarian crisis that demands urgent and sustained global attention. Civilians across the country continue to endure widespread hunger, acute malnutrition, and preventable disease—conditions that have already claimed thousands of lives. Over 11 million people have been displaced, while more than 19 million face acute food insecurity. Famine has been declared in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, underscoring the severity of this emergency. Women and children remain disproportionately impacted: millions of children have been driven out of school, and credible reports of pervasive sexual violence further highlight the urgent need to end this brutal war.

“We unequivocally condemn the grave human rights abuses committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including ethnically targeted killings, sexual violence, and retaliatory attacks against civilians. These atrocities, often carried out in the wake of territorial gains, represent a flagrant violation of international law. Since the RSF’s capture of El Fasher, the conflict has intensified and expanded into the Kordofan region and Blue Nile State, with the increased use of drones and other advanced weaponry placing even more civilians at risk. We call on all parties to this conflict—including the SAF, RSF, and affiliated militias—to immediately cease hostilities, agree to a durable ceasefire, and guarantee safe, unimpeded humanitarian access. We further call on external actors, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, to halt any support that fuels this violence.

“The Congressional Black Caucus remains deeply concerned about the growing regional implications of this conflict, particularly its spillover from Sudan’s borders into neighboring fragile states, which threatens broader regional stability and U.S. strategic interests. We urge the Administration to appoint a dedicated U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan with deep regional expertise and a clear mandate to advance peace. The current approach—marked by engagement with actors who are themselves contributing to the conflict—has proven ineffective and must be reevaluated. The United States must include regional and international partners in its ongoing efforts to end the Sudanese conflict and help rebuild the country. Additionally, the existing United Nations Security Council arms embargo on Darfur must be rigorously enforced and expanded to cover all of Sudan.

“In the face of immense adversity, Sudanese civil society has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and leadership. Emergency Response Rooms and grassroots mutual aid networks continue to provide lifesaving services and localized protection, often at great personal risk. These actors must be meaningfully included in all peace processes and receive sustained, direct international support to continue their critical work.

“This moment calls for moral clarity and decisive action. The international community must reckon with its failure to adequately respond to this crisis and take immediate steps to protect civilians, expand humanitarian assistance, and ensure accountability for those responsible for atrocities. The Congressional Black Caucus stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and calls on the global community to help bring an end to this violence and to support a just, inclusive, and lasting peace.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reauthorization

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“With Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) set to expire on April 20, Congress faces an urgent responsibility to both protect national security and uphold the constitutional rights of the American people. That responsibility cannot be met without meaningful reform. Any reauthorization must include requiring law enforcement to obtain judicial warrants before accessing Americans’ data, closing the ‘data broker loophole,’ banning warrantless backdoor searches of Americans’ private communications, and repealing the ‘visa vetting provision,’ which could be used to target immigrant communities.

“The reauthorization of Section 702 without reforms raises serious concerns for the Congressional Black Caucus regarding privacy and the preservation of the rights of everyday Americans. The lack of Fourth Amendment protections in this legislation has enabled abuses by federal law enforcement officers without adequate guardrails to protect vulnerable communities.

“The Congressional Black Caucus has very serious reservations about legislation that would allow the continued oversurveillance of our communities. Congress must impose guardrails to address the many documented instances of abuse and warrantless searches of American citizens resulting from loopholes in this law. In previous years, federal law enforcement officers have conducted warrantless searches of the communications of Black Lives Matter protesters, U.S. government officials, journalists, political commentators, and congressional donors. This is wholly unacceptable.

“As it stands, the Trump Administration has already committed serious violations that undermine democratic norms. We cannot allow federal law enforcement officers to have unfettered and unregulated access to information to persecute political opponents or intimidate American citizens. The Fourth Amendment guarantees essential constitutional protections, and disregarding these rights crosses an extremely dangerous line. The Congressional Black Caucus calls on our colleagues in Congress to reform Section 702 of FISA and to protect the rights of the American people.”

Congressional Black Caucus Amplifies Call to Hold Conference to Improve 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“For years, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have led the charge in addressing the housing crisis in the United States Congress. The actions and decisions made thus far by the Trump Administration have added further pressure to the already severe shortage of affordable housing options across the country. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) offers an opportunity to achieve a largely bipartisan solution to the affordable housing challenges impacting families nationwide. However, it is critical that, as lawmakers, we conduct due diligence to ensure that H.R. 6644 is equipped with all the necessary tools to alleviate housing costs for hardworking Americans.

“Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, has requested a conference to improve and strengthen H.R. 6644 due to the Senate version’s omission of key provisions—namely, provisions that would broaden access to homeownership, expedite the construction of manufactured housing, expand the availability of small-dollar mortgages, better protect borrowers and families living in public or assisted housing, enhance federal oversight of housing providers, and lay the groundwork for the development of new affordable homes across America. Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, led the House in securing these provisions, which were pivotal to its overwhelmingly bipartisan passage and widely supported by advocacy organizations within the housing community.

“It is absolutely imperative that the House and Senate conference on this legislation to restore these critical provisions. Any legislation that fails to do so is not in service to the communities we are elected to represent. It is our responsibility to ensure that families across America receive the support they need to address the growing housing affordability crisis. The CBC is demanding that both chambers return to conference, reconcile the House and Senate versions, and produce the strongest possible housing legislation for communities across the nation.”

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump’s Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors”:

“Once again, the Trump Administration is failing on its promise to lower costs and increase the standard of living for families across the nation. Rather than focusing his attention on the affordability crisis, President Trump remains committed to attacking critical tools of economic mobility for hardworking, everyday Americans. President Trump’s most recent EO, “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,” seeks to further eliminate practices of equity and inclusion for government contractors. The order specifically directs federal agencies to add standardized contract language that prohibits government contractors from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion programming within 30 days of its enactment.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are not only mutually beneficial for a business's financial bottom line and its employees, but it is also imperative that the diversity of our federal government and its contractors accurately represent the diversity of the people it serves. It benefits absolutely no one to eradicate programming that improves the efficiency and representation of our democracy.

“This administration seems to have accomplished almost nothing over the last two years besides bringing the functions of our government to its most inefficient peak and attacking programs that move our country forward.

“The Congressional Black Caucus denounces this administration's blatantly racist and illogical attempts to whitewash our federal government at the expense of the American people. It is unacceptable that President Trump continues to eliminate opportunities for economic success for hardworking families and completely disregards calls for a more affordable standard of living. This is yet another example of this administration working to decimate our economy and undermine the American dream for our most vulnerable communities.”