Tuesday, September 22, 2020—The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) put forward the Job and Justice Act of 2020. The bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation addressing two major categories: the need to increase employment and the search for law enforcement accountability within the black community.
U.S. Representative for California’s 37th congressional district and CBC chairman, Karen Bass, steered the conference on Tuesday. Each panelist shared their thoughts regarding the outline of the bill’s intentions. Congresswoman Bass has been very vocal on black voters becoming engaged, as well as making it a priority to vote this year—2020. She stated, “This election is about life and death,” with reference to the outstanding 200,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19 in a matter of a few months.
Congresswoman Bass said, “With over 200 pieces of legislation, covering many issues that are vital to African Americans, [the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020] is a perfect example of what you get when you go out and vote.” Bass noted that, “We cannot deliver the change and correct the atrocities of the last 3 ½ years if we spend have to another 4 years with the [Trump] administration.”
If passed, the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020 will “increase the upward social and economic mobility for African Americans, and ensure their equal protection under the law” stated in the CBC ‘s legislation.
The first part of the bill includes several provisions with an objective to advance economic opportunity black neighborhoods. The panel suggested that government officials directly prioritize funds to infrastructure investment, workforce development, small business support, housing, and education.
U.S. Representative for Nevada’s 4th congressional district and CBC Rep. Steven Horsford said, “Black owned companies will benefit with greater access to capital, contracts, and markets to help grow black owned firms.” Congressman Horsford claims the bill “Will provided incentives to support small businesses with tax credits, training and newly formed direct loans through the small business administration as an alternative to the private lending market.”
The latter half addressed bold reform of the U.S. criminal justice system, in which demand a healthy interaction between the judicial system, law enforcement, the people of color they serve. Further, the bill pledges to expand access to social services among low-income communities and provide resources to those who have “served time” for better reintegration to society.
Congressional Black Caucus members further addressed the bill’s stance on poverty alleviation, in which would involve reallocating the wealth in the U.S. Representative for California’s 13th congressional district Barbara Lee specified regulating the trading stocks, bonds and derivatives at higher rate taxation. Basically, disputing the current Wall Street Tax Act of 2019, which imposes a 0.1% tax on certain financial transactions, such as, the purchase of stocks, bonds, and derivatives.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee said, “It would generate up to 2.4 trillion in public revenue from this tax… It is past time to make sure that Wall Street pays their fair share, so that we can provide funding for the creation of jobs, housing, infrastructure, and college education.”
Further, Congresswoman Lee discussed the importance of the End Diaper Need Act, in which would produce a $100,000,000 demonstration project distributing free diapers and diapering products in communities and non-profits around the nation. With considerate vision to help reduce the diaper need for low income households. Congresswoman Lee stated, “1 and 3 families experience diaper needs which often lead to negative health outcomes for vulnerable children.”
U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 3rd congressional district Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative A. Donald McEachin from Virginia’s 4th congressional district, and Representative for Texas’s 9th congressional district Alexander N. Green delivered speeches that were full of life. They each discussed concerning topics like the wealth gap between black and white families, the greatest importance of environmental change, and the everlasting policies that ingrain systemic racism within America’s fabric.
It is more or less 40 days away from our nation’s next election before the window for political change is closed. The Congressional Black Caucus have ambitiously dedicated the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020 by implementing a considerable number of laws to put an end to the controversial topics, which intend to ultimately facilitate structural change for future generations.
