All articles tagged with #congressional black caucus
Debbie Wasserman Schultz enters Florida’s 20th District race—a majority-Black seat redrawn by Republicans—that has deepened Democratic divisions, with the Congressional Black Caucus warning the move disrupts Black representation even as she leans on seniority and more than $3.3 million in fundraising to position herself as a frontrunner in a crowded primary of younger challengers.
The Congressional Black Caucus criticized the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, saying it hasn’t meaningfully included Black athletes in shaping it and urged Democrats to block it until the bill reflects Black communities’ interests. CBC Chair Yvette Clarke highlighted the central role Black athletes play in college sports and warned the bill would grant sweeping protections to powerful institutions without ensuring Black voices are heard throughout the process.
Rep. Terri Sewell and 61 CBC members pressed NCAA and major conferences to publicly address redistricting attacks on Black political power, threatening to withhold support for NIL reform (the SCORE Act) unless institutions speak out. The bill's vote was pulled amid CBC opposition, and House leaders plan a NAACP-backed briefing to condemn the legislation, signaling a broader clash over voting rights and college athletics' role in politics.
The SCORE Act, a bill to overhaul NIL oversight and college-athletics governance, was pulled from a planned House floor vote for a second time due to GOP resistance and a unified Congressional Black Caucus opposing the measure; two original co-sponsors withdrew, highlighting deep partisan and intra-party divisions ahead of the midterms.
The Congressional Black Caucus may lose up to 19 members as states redraw districts after a Supreme Court ruling narrowing Voting Rights Act protections, a development CBC leaders call devastating and that triggers plans for legal challenges and a strong turnout push on voting-rights to blunt the impact. Southern districts in Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina are among those at risk, prompting Democratic strategy to defend Black representation and potentially affect leadership scenarios like a Black speaker if Democrats win the House.
Gov. JB Pritzker poured millions into backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton over Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois’ Democratic Senate primary, triggering ire among Congressional Black Caucus members who say he must justify his actions and that CBC endorsement leverage matters for future races, including a possible 2028 presidential bid. Some caucus leaders signal a reset and outreach will be necessary, Stratton’s win is celebrated within the CBC, while Kelly’s loss highlights tensions over influence and strategy within the bloc.
The chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Yvette Clarke, offered a curt congratulations to Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton after Stratton defeated Rep. Robin Kelly in the Democratic Senate primary, highlighting the party split over Gov. JB Pritzker's backing; Stratton advances to face Don Tracy in November and could become the second Black woman elected to Illinois' Senate.
The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is using a texting scandal involving Young Republicans to attack Rep. Mike Lawler, linking him to racist messages and past controversial actions, as part of their campaign ahead of the midterms.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus condemned a bipartisan resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, arguing it legitimizes harmful and un-American beliefs, and criticized the use of tragedy to divide the country. The resolution, supported by most Democrats, was seen as an attempt to legitimize Kirk's worldview, which the caucus strongly opposes. The vote highlighted deep partisan divides, with most CBC members voting against it, and also included criticism of recent political rhetoric and actions following Kirk's death.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) claims the media misrepresented his comments about the Jim Crow era, which suggested Black families were better off then because they were "together." His remarks drew criticism from the Black community and Congressional Black Caucus, who called for an apology. Donalds defended his statements, arguing they were taken out of context and accusing critics of political gaslighting.
The Congressional Black Caucus is demanding an apology from Rep. Byron Donalds for his comments suggesting Black Americans were better off under Jim Crow laws, calling his remarks a misrepresentation of history for political gain. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticized Donalds, while Black conservatives defended him, arguing that the Democratic Party has failed Black Americans.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump surrogate, sparked backlash by suggesting Black families were more unified during the Jim Crow era at a Black voter outreach event. His comments were criticized by top Black Democratic officials, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who condemned the remarks as factually inaccurate and offensive. Donalds defended his statements, arguing that Democratic policies have harmed Black families. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in political discourse about race and family dynamics in America.
Black lawmakers are praising Laphonza Butler, the first openly gay Black female senator, but are also trying to maintain support for California Rep. Barbara Lee without pitting the two against each other. Butler's appointment has sparked a crowded field of candidates seeking to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, including Lee, Adam Schiff, and Katie Porter. While the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has sent a letter endorsing Lee, they also welcomed Butler as their 59th member. The CBC emphasizes that Butler's appointment is a historic moment and highlights the importance of having Black women in positions of power.
President Biden warned against a potential government shutdown, emphasizing the negative consequences it would have on various aspects of American life. He blamed "extreme Republicans" for failing to adhere to a previous debt ceiling agreement. Meanwhile, at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made a case for their reelection in 2024, highlighting their commitment to issues impacting communities of color. The dinner marked the end of the CBC's annual legislative conference, which focused on securing democracy, protecting freedoms, and uplifting culture.
President Biden mistakenly praised the "Congressional Black Caucus" during a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, causing confusion and raising eyebrows. This gaffe comes after previous verbal missteps, including implying that African American and Hispanic workers lack high school diplomas. Despite boasting about his administration's achievements for the Hispanic community, a June poll shows that nearly two-thirds of Hispanic voters disapprove of Biden's job performance as president.