Rep. Jim Clyburn to support new leadership in Democratic House minority

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking Black American in Congress, has said previously he expects to stay in Congress next year and hopes to remain at the leadership table.

Multiple sources stated that Clyburn also wants to remain in the top tiers of leadership, and that he would run for the assistant leader role. That was the No. 3 spot the last time Democrats were in the minority, but would fall to the No. 4 slot in the next Congress, behind Caucus chair, according to the sources.

Clyburn issued a statement paving the way for a new trio to lead House Democrats following Nancy Pelosi's decision to step down as speaker. saying he looks forward "to doing whatever I can to assist our new generation of Democratic Leaders, which I hope to be Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar."

Read his full statement below:

“Speaker Pelosi has left an indelible mark on Congress and the country, and I look forward to her continued service and doing whatever I can to assist our new generation of Democratic Leaders which I hope to be Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar,” Clyburn said in the statement.

The trio was spotted sitting next to Clyburn and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer during Pelosi's announcement. And Jeffries has been pitching himself to members with Clark and Aguilar as the No. 1, 2 and 3 for the caucus in leadership.

"I'm not going to get involved in making my choice in this public way. But I have said to both of (Hoyer and Jeffries) that I will not pursue the position of leader of our party," Clyburn said on “CNN This Morning” Wednesday.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley statement on testing positive for COVID-19

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result:

“After experiencing COVID-like symptoms, this morning I received a positive, breakthrough COVID-19 test result. Thankfully, my symptoms are relatively mild, and I am grateful to be fully vaccinated and boosted. I am currently isolating and following all health protocols in order to mitigate further spread and keep my loved ones and community safe.

“Vaccines save lives. With this unprecedented pandemic continuing to rage, I am deeply grateful for the scientists, researchers, and frontline healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly to develop vaccines that are safe and effective, and ensure that our communities are protected. I encourage everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated, boosted and masking up. I wish everyone a safe and happy new year and look forward to continuing to fight for the robust relief our communities in the Massachusetts 7th need and deserve.”

Congressman David Scott Named First African American Chairman of House Agriculture Committee

On December 3, 2020 Congressman David Scott (GA-13) was approved by the Democratic Caucus to serve as the first African American Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. The committee is empowered with legislative oversight relating to the U.S. agriculture industry, forestry, nutrition, and rural development.

“I am honored to have been chosen by my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to serve as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee,” said Congressman Scott. “I was born on my grandparents’ farm in rural Aynor, South Carolina, during the days of segregation, and the hardships, of those, on whose shoulders I now stand. I owe this historic selection as the first African American Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee to a diverse coalition of members from across our nation. And I will use this critical opportunity to represent the values of our entire caucus and advance our priorities for trade, disaster aid, climate change, sustainable agriculture, SNAP, crop insurance, small family farms, specialty crops, and rural broadband. The fault lines dividing our rural and urban communities are running deep, and climate change is now threatening our nation’s food supply. As Chairman, I will lead the fight to rise up and meet these challenges.”

Congressman David Scott has served as a Member of Congress and the House Agriculture Committee since 2003. In his various leadership roles on the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Scott has chaired the Subcommittees on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit as well as Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. Scott played a key role in ushering through the three last Farm Bills, including by serving as a conferee, securing critical disaster aid for our farmers, strengthening the food and nutrition programs that help our families, seniors and school children and securing $80 million for new scholarships for students attending 1890 African-American land-grant colleges and universities.

Congressman David Scott grew up living and working on his grandparents’ farm when his parents moved north to find work. During his 18 years in Congress, he has developed a deep understanding of the critical issues facing farmers today and the practical challenges posed by an agricultural lifestyle. He also understands the critical role agriculture plays in our economy and the importance of policies that preserve our place as the #1 exporter of agricultural products.

Rep. Meeks Becomes First African American Chair of House Foreign Affairs Committee

On December 3, 2020 Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was elected to Chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, becoming the first African-American Chair in the committee’s history.

Meeks released the following statement:

“I am incredibly honored to be elected Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a committee that I have served on throughout my tenure of service in Congress. There is extraordinary talent across the committee and Democratic caucus, and I look forward to working closely with Members as we look ahead to a new era of US global affairs.

“The committee under the next Congress will preside over an historic shift in US foreign policy, and there is no shortage of work ahead of us. Not only will we need to re-engage with a world that has felt the marked absence of US global leadership, but we must also rethink traditional approaches to foreign policy.

“This will not be a return to normal, but a leap towards a new way of doing business. We will broaden our scope and outreach to parts of the world we’ve historically overlooked. We will return as partners to our European allies, but we will also need to build new multilateral relationships in the Western Hemisphere and Africa. We can only address the systemic challenges posed by Moscow and Beijing with the help of like-minded friends.

“We will work to rejoin the JCPOA and WHO, but we will also need to establish new coalitions to address the existential crisis of climate change and emerging threats. In pushing further on the fight for human rights across the world, we must lead by humble example with the weight of US moral credibility. We will need to take back Congress’ constitutional authority, tightening the scope of AUMFs that have led to ambiguous forever wars.

“None of that work, however, can be completed without a considerable rebuilding of our Department of State. Diplomacy must be moved front and center as the primary tool for conducting US foreign policy, no longer second to military action. The Foreign Affairs Committee must take a leading role in how we rebuild the State Department. We will broaden the conversation, hearing testimony from organizations and non-traditional diplomats. We will press for greater diversity so our diplomatic corps looks more like the America it represents abroad, strengthening the initiatives that serve as a pipeline for diverse communities.

“In order to deepen the expertise of the committee and prepare for the challenges ahead of us, there is no substitute for on-the-ground experience, engaging with foreign governments and the people they’re meant to serve, through bi-partisan delegations. As Chair, I will utilize the expertise of our Committee members both in the Committee room and abroad, repairing old relationships and establishing new ones.

“We can no longer be America first, but America forward. Our challenges before us are global in scale, and it will require global cooperation, spearheaded by American leadership. I am eager to begin work with my colleagues on the committee, and look forward to working with the new Biden-Harris administration on the tasks ahead of us.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries re-elected as Democratic Caucus Chairman

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY 8th District) was re-elected Wednesday to his role as the Democratic caucus chairman in the 117th Congress. The Democratic caucus chairman is the the fifth ranking member of leadership.

The House Democratic Caucus Chairman presides over caucus meetings, which are composed of all members of the Democratic party. The chair is elected by the caucus, and is limited to two consecutive full terms.

The House Democratic Caucus serves as the organizational forum to elect party leaders at the outset of each new Congress. The caucus meets on a weekly basis to discuss party policy, pending legislative issues, and other matters of mutual concern.

Jim Clyburn reelected as House Majority Whip

South Carolina U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn was reelected House Majority Whip on Wednesday, maintaining his powerful position as the third-ranking Democrat in Congress.

The majority and minority whips (and their assistants) are responsible for mobilizing votes within their parties on major issues. In the absence of a party floor leader, the whip often serves as acting floor leader.

Rep. Clyburn released the following statement on his reelection to Majority Whip via Twitter:

It is a true honor for me to serve the House Democratic Caucus again as Whip for the 117th Congress.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle during this new session to make America’s greatness accessible and affordable for all.

The Congressional Black Caucus Welcomes Rep. Kweisi Mfume back to Congress

The Congressional Black Caucus released the following release welcoming Kweisi Mfume back to congress:

Recently, Kweisi Mfume was sworn in as the newest Member of the U.S. House of Representative for Maryland’s 7th congressional district, succeeding Elijah Cummings, who died last October. The return to Congress comes full circle, as Mfume reclaims the same seat that he held for 10 years before stepping down to become the President of the NAACP. During his tenure in Congress, Representative Mfume also served as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1993-1995.

Representative Mfume’s return to the Congressional Black Caucus comes at a critical time in our nation during this pandemic. The CBC looks forward to working with Rep. Mfume during this historic moment to identify, fight for, and win the best legislative change to help the Black community not just survive this pandemic but to prepare to thrive in the aftermath.

The Congressional Black Caucus welcomes Representative Kweisi Mfume back to the U.S. House of Representatives and his leadership in Maryland’s 7th district.

Rep. Jim Clyburn to lead US House select committee on coronavirus pandemic

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn to lead a select committee overseeing the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

On a conference call with reporters Thursday, Pelosi said the bipartisan committee would be tasked with ensuring the recovery funds approved by Congress are “wisely and efficiently spent” and preventing profiteering or waste.

“We face a deadly virus and a battered economy with millions of Americans suddenly out of work,” said Pelosi, D-Calif. “Congress has taken an important step in meeting this crisis by passing three bills with over $2 trillion in emergency relief. We need to make sure those dollars are spent carefully and effectively.”

In a statement, Clyburn said he was “deeply humbled by the Speaker’s confidence in me to lead this Select Committee” and is “ready to take on the challenge.”

“I believe very strongly that we cannot let the assistance directed toward addressing this crisis accrue in an unequitable fashion,” Clyburn said.

“In the recovery from previous crises like the Great Depression and various recessions, parts of our great country were left behind, having not been treated equitably,” he added. “We cannot allow that to happen in this pandemic.”

[SOURCE: POST AND COURIER]

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on impeachment: No one is above the law

Rep Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY 8th District) who is the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus spoke before the House voted on a impeachment inquiry resolution. Jeffries let it be known that no one including the President of the United States is above the law.

Watch his speech below:

House #ImpeachmentInquiry takes important step forward.

Trump abused his power and undermined our national security.

We will hold the President accountable.

No. One. Is. Above. The. Law. pic.twitter.com/ucCn0yujFm

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) October 31, 2019

Rep.Marcia Fudge on possibly challenging Pelosi for Speaker of the House: Our leadership should be diverse

Marcia Fudge, the congresswoman from Ohio who may be launching a bid against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House, told CNN's Elizabeth Landers that she is undecided about her bid, but seems bolstered by the outreach she's receiving. Watch her comments below.

Report: Nearly Three Quarters of the House Have No Senior Staffers of Color

Almost three-quarters of House members —313 in all —have no top staffers of color, according to a report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released on Tuesday.

“Top staff” refers to top staff chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors in D.C. personal offices, chiefs of staff, policy directors and communications directors in the top four leadership offices of each party and staff directors assigned to full committees.

Just under 14 percent of all top House staff are people of color, according to the report, “Racial Diversity Among Top U.S. House Staff,” which relied on data that reflected the demographic makeup of staffers as of June 1. At that time, people of color accounted for 38 percent of the U.S. population.

A total of 329 House members are white. “Chiefs of staff of color” led the personal offices of only 16 of those, the report stated. Ten worked in Republican offices and six in Democratic offices.

For all top staff in offices of white Democratic members, the report found that less than 8 percent are people of color. For white Republican members, 3 percent of top staffers are people of color.

Among the report’s other findings:

No Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or Native American is a staff director for any of the 40 committee staff director positions in the House.

No Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or Native Americans holds any of the 24 top staff positions in the four leadership offices in the House.

Latinos make up less than 28 percent of Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members’ offices.

Latinos make up over 29 percent of Republican Congressional Hispanic Conference members’ offices.

Of the top staffers who are black, almost 61 percent are women.

Of the top Latino staffers, almost 45 percent are women.

Of the top Asian American/Pacific Islander, over 31 percent are women.

In the offices of members who are Asian American/Pacific Islander, over 77 percent of staffers are white.

Read more: Report: Nearly Three Quarters of the House Have No Senior Staffers of Color

Democratic takeover could bring first black speaker of the house

Upheaval in the Democratic caucus could pave the way for a historic House leader — and some potential names are already being discussed.

The next speaker of the House could be a black Democrat. And Congress would never be the same.

In 230 years, there’s never been a black speaker, or any black lawmaker seriously in the running for the post. That could change after voters go to the polls in November.

Democrats are their closest to winning back the House in years. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said she will run for speaker again, but after 16 years at the top, some lawmakers — and a rising number of Democratic candidates — want someone else to take over.

The prospect of a black speaker, which seemed like a long shot just months ago, has started to bubble up more in private conversations in recent weeks, particularly among Democrats in the influential, 48-member Congressional Black Caucus.

After Rep. Joe Crowley of New York, a potential Pelosi successor, went down in a shocking primary defeat in June, the questions about who might replace her have only grown. And that raises the possibility of an African-American Democrat being sworn in as the 55th speaker on Jan. 3.

The members with the likeliest shot, according to more than 20 Democratic lawmakers and aides, include Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, currently the No. 3 House Democrat; Hakeem Jeffries of New York; Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, current chairman of the CBC; Elijah Cummings of Maryland; and Marcia Fudge of Ohio.

Read more: Democratic takeover could bring first black speaker

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver: John Conyers will make the 'right decision' and step down

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) predicted on Saturday that Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) would make "the right decision" and resign in the face of sexual misconduct allegations.

"I can tell you that John Conyers right now, at this very moment as we are on this air, is contemplating his future and his legacy," Cleaver, a Congressional Black Caucus member, said on Fox News.

"And I can almost assure you that John Conyers is going to make what I would think is the right decision for his own legacy, and that is to step down and try to enjoy the rest of his life," he added.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Congressman Al Green calls for Trump impeachment

Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump Wednesday morning, the first member of Congress to officially request leveling charges against the President from the House floor. Watch video of his request below:

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CLIP: @RepAlGreen: "I rise today...to call for the impeachment of the President of the United States of America for obstruction of justice." pic.twitter.com/k3OMGcZbEF

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 17, 2017

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: No Tax Reform Without Trump’s Tax Returns

Last night in Washington, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York 8th Congressional District, Brooklyn, Queens) took to the House floor demanding that President Trump release his tax returns.

Jeffries, a member of the House Judiciary and House Budget Committees, presented a privileged resolution which would delay any tax-reform legislation until the House Ways and Means Committee has had the opportunity to review Trump’s tax returns and determine how and if the president could benefit from tax-code changes.

The “privileged” resolution means that the House would have to act within two legislative days.

Jeffries argued that the House of Representatives shall:

-Immediately request tax return information of Donald J. Trump for tax years 2007 through 2016 for review in closed executive session by the Committee on Ways and Means, as provided under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, and vote to report the information therein to the full House of Representatives.

-Postpone consideration of comprehensive tax reform legislation until after the elected representatives of the American people in this House have been able to review Trump’s tax returns and ascertain how any changes to the Tax Code might financially benefit the President of the United States.

Jeffries stated that the American people deserve transparency concerning the President’s financial conflicts of interest and possible involvement with Russia.

[SOURCE: bklyner.com]

N.J. congresswoman, Bonnie Watson Coleman vows to defy proposed GOP broadcast ban

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has no plans to let a $500 fine get in the way of a protest.

Coleman called on House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and other GOP lawmakers to "bring your fines" because she'll "keep on fighting" after news of a plan to pass a rule that would fine lawmakers for using electronic devices to transmit from the House chambers surfaced this week.

Coleman (D-12th Dist.) tweeted the rebuff of the proposed rule change, which was spurred by a July protest in the House chamber on gun safety that Coleman helped organize.

I will not let @HouseGOP & @SpeakerRyan keep Americans in the dark. Bring your fines; I'll keep on fighting. https://t.co/3eUj3V905D

— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) December 28, 2016

The tweet was a reaction to news that House Republicans next week plan to take steps to prevent Democrats from again taking over the chamber and broadcasting their protests.

The fine would be $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent violation. House Republicans could vote on it next week.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Pelosi nominates Rep. Hakeem Jefferies for vice chair post

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi is attempting to spread around responsibilities and opportunities within democratic leadership positions in the House of Representatives. She is doing so to address the concerns of younger less tenured members in the House.

In doing so she has nominated several newer members to leadership positions. Among them is Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) who she has nominated as a vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Jefferies has served four years and has just been elected to a third term.

The House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) is tasked with developing a Caucus-wide message that forcefully communicates where House Democrats stand, that resonates with hardworking Americans, and that presents a sharp contrast to House Republicans’ special interest first agenda.

Donald Payne Jr. Re-elected to Congress

New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (DEM) has been re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a third term as the Representative of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. Payne demolished his Republican challenger David Pinckney and three others with over 86% of the vote making his margin of victory the largest in the state of N.J. Congrats to Congressman Payne.

ELECTION RESULTS:

Payne Jr., Donald Dem 179,082 86%

Pinckney, David GOP 24,628 12%

Miller, Joanne Ind 3,406 2%

Fraser, Aaron Ind 1,609 1%

Bonnie Watson Coleman: First African-American female elected to congress from NJ

[SOURCE] Bonnie Watson Coleman will become the first African-American female member of New Jersey's congressional delegation in state history.

The Democratic state Assemblywoman from Mercer County beat Republican Alieta Eck, a doctor, to win the open seat in central Jersey's 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the Associated Press.