Congressional Black Caucus – Page 9

Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton Denounces President Blocking Back Pay for Federal Contract Workers, Cites Bipartisan Support for Compensation

Sentinel News WireFebruary 19, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a leading proponent of back pay for federal contract workers, today decried President Trump’s blocking of back pay for these workers and said she is already seeking other avenues to get them back pay. Norton has tried to get back pay for low- and mid-wage federal contract workers, and, in another bill, focused on the lowest wage contract workers—those who work in retail, custodial and security services. She argued that before the federal government contracted out these functions to save money on benefits and wages, these same jobs were done by civil servants like

Daily Briefs Political

Black Caucus Responds To Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

Sentinel News WireFebruary 15, 2019

Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) WASHINGTON – Today, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), issued the following statement after President Trump declared a national emergency to build his border wall. “This declaration has more to do with the President’s bruised ego than actually doing what is best for America. The author of The Art of The Deal couldn’t make a deal to build a wall. This is a fake solution to a fake crisis and we must stand firm in keeping the nation focused on the real issues impacting Americans.

Daily Briefs Political

Black Caucus Statement Condemning GOP Efforts To Remove Member From House Foreign Affairs Committee

Sentinel News WireFebruary 15, 2019

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar WASHINGTON – Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), released the following statement in support of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) remaining on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The statement criticizes Republican demands for her removal while those same Republicans remain silent as members of their own party, including President Trump, have made racially insensitive, anti-Semitic and or emotionally-charged statements. “There is no place in our society for anti-Semitism. All forms of racism and discrimination must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Representative Omar was correct to quickly apologize for her comments. “I

Daily Briefs National News Political

Senators Harris, Booker, Scott Lead Unanimous Passage of Federal Anti-Lynching Legislation

Sentinel News WireFebruary 14, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) asked for unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, legislation that would criminalize lynching for the first time in American history. The motion was passed, marking a historic step towards the first federal anti-lynching law in the United States. The legislation was introduced earlier today by Senator Harris, who was joined by her colleagues Senator Booker and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). In December 2018, the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent, marking the first time in American history

Daily Briefs

Rep. Hank Johnson Introduces Bill Requiring US Supreme Court to Follow Code of Ethics

Sentinel News WireFebruary 12, 2019

Congressman Hank Johnson WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced the Supreme Court Ethics Act (H.R. 1057) requiring the Judicial Conference of the United States to create a code of ethical conduct for the Supreme Court of the United States. “Unlike federal judges, Supreme Court Justices are exempt from the Code of Conduct for United States judges – a binding code of ethics that ensures neutrality and transparency in our judiciary,” said Rep. Johnson, a former magistrate judge. “This bill would change that by requiring the Judicial Conference of the United States to create a code of ethics, binding the Justices

Daily Briefs

Congressman Andre Carson to Chair Intelligence Subcommittee on Counterterrorism

Sentinel News WireFebruary 12, 2019

Congressman Carson courtesy photo WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Carson issued the following statement after he was named the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Carson will also sit on the Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research Subcommittee. “After a career working to keep Americans safe, I am honored to take the gavel of the Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee,” said Congressman Carson. “From terrorism to nuclear proliferation to espionage, our country faces a broad array of threats at home and abroad. I look forward to working closely with my subcommittee

Daily Briefs

WATCH: Rep. Val Demings Speaks Forcefully in Gun Violence Hearing

Sentinel News WireFebruary 12, 2019

ORLANDO, FL – Rep. Val Demings, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, participated in a hearing on HR8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Rep. Demings is a cosponsor of the bill and has led efforts in Congress to pass meaningful legislation to prevent gun violence.

Daily Briefs

Rep. Maxine Waters Blasts Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Giveaway to Predatory Payday Loan Sharks

Sentinel New WireFebruary 12, 2019

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee Washington, DC – In response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s announcement that it is reconsidering its 2017 Payday, Small-Dollar, and Car Title rule that would put a stop to abusive payday loans, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement: “I am deeply troubled by the Consumer Bureau’s proposal to gut a much-needed rule that would have reined in payday lenders and ensure consumers can afford to pay off their loans. It is no secret that payday loans often lead to irreparable

Daily Briefs

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings Leads Letter Urging Ban of Dog Meat Trade in the United Kingdom

Sentinel New WireFebruary 12, 2019

Hastings with Chauntell Hawkins and Little Ricky, a rescue dog from Yulin, China that was saved from inhumane slaughter. “ Washington, DC – Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, urging the support an amendment to the United Kingdom’s Agriculture bill, which would ban the dog meat trade. Joining Hastings in sending the letter were Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Theodore Deutch (D-FL), and Lee Zeldin (R-NY): February 11, 2019 The Rt Hon Theresa May, MP Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Dear Prime Minster May: In

Daily Briefs

Senator Kamala Harris, Stabenow, Peters, Lawrence Introduce Legislation to Award Aretha Franklin with Congressional Gold Medal

Sentinel News WireFebruary 12, 2019

Aretha Franklin courtesy photo WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters, and Representative Brenda Lawrence (all D-MI) introduced bicameral legislation to posthumously award the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her outstanding artistic and cultural contributions. The legislation was originally introduced in August 2018 in the wake of Franklin’s passing. The Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act would honor Franklin’s role in shaping the nation’s culturally and socially relevant discography, and highlight her life as an example of how one person’s talents can make a difference in the lives of

Daily Briefs

WATCH: Congressmember Karen Bass Leads Passage of “Put Trafficking Victims First Act”

Sentinel News WireFebruary 12, 2019

WASHINGTON – Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), lead the passage of the “Put Trafficking Victims First Act”, which ensures that survivors of human trafficking do not go unnoticed. The bill was approved by a vote of 414-1.

Larry Aubry Opinion

Empowerment Requires Unaccustomed Unity

Larry AubryFebruary 7, 2019

Talking about Black unity has fallen out of favor, but the need for unity is as great, if not greater, than ever. Black unity is a perquisite for sustainable change, but it has become a dust-covered relic. Bastardized remnants remain, but are found mostly in venues that do not advance our collective interest. Blacks continue to emulate Whites’ individualistic and materialistic values without commensurate benefits. Nonetheless, unity is essential for effectively working with each other and others.

Daily Briefs

Rep. Gwen Moore Introduces Bill to Block Trump from Using Taxpayer Dollars for the Wall

Sentinel News WireFebruary 6, 2019

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Washington, DC – In response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address, Congresswoman Gwen Moore introduced H.R. 968, the No Taxpayer Funding for the Wall Act. In the wake of the bill’s introduction, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Last night, President Trump used his bully pulpit to spread lies and instill fear in the hearts of the American public by painting immigrants and asylum seekers as criminals — murderers determined to take down the law-abiding residents of the United States. We must rise above these racist lies and see his words for what they are:

Daily Briefs

Congressman Anthony Brown: “The President’s Political Deployment To The Southern Border Is Not Grounds For A National Emergency Declaration”

Sentinel News WireFebruary 6, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04), Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and 30-year combat veteran, released the following statement after the Department of Defense announced it would deploy 3,750 additional active duty soldiers to the southern border. “It is outrageous that President Trump is sending thousands of active-duty personnel back to the border to shovel manure, change tires and lay concertina wire. This has always been a dubious mission that hurts morale and degrades readiness. President Trump’s use of the military is clearly for a sole purpose: to create the optics of a crisis in order

Daily Briefs

WATCH: U.S. Majority Whip James E. Clayburn Releases First Video In a Series for Black History Month

Sentinel News WireFebruary 6, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of U.S. Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the first in a series of videos called Lessons from History for Black History Month today. This video features Congressman Clyburn and Congressman Cedric Richmond discussing the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The video series pairs seasoned Congressional Black Caucus members with younger members for a short exchange during which the members interviewed each other about lived experiences during the civil rights era and new experiences like being the first Black member from their state. “As a former history teacher, I believe it