Rep. Karen Bass Statement on Introducing the Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, delivered the following remarks at a press conference about the introduction of the “Violence Against Women Act of 2019”:

“Thank you very much, thank you very much Mr. Chair, and thank you, Madame Speaker, for leadership on not just this issue, but of our House. 

“Today is a very important day for survivors everywhere. We are here to follow through on the pledge we made to the American people when we said we will deliver in this 116th Congress.

“We said reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was a priority in the first 100 days of this Congress, and today, we are keeping our word by introducing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act of 2019.

“I welcome my co-sponsor Mr. Fitzpatrick, who joins me in introducing this monumental piece of legislation, the Violence Against Women Act of 2019, which builds upon the amazing progress made under the leadership of my colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, in the last Congress.

“This year we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of VAWA, and on this very day, March 7th, President Barack Obama signed our last VAWA reauthorization in 2013.  

“And today, on the 6th year anniversary of VAWA’s last passage, we are holding this press conference to address the urgency of now in reauthorizing this vital legislation.

“For centuries, women have fought vigorously to demand changes in our federal laws, not simply for their own benefits, but for others as well.  VAWA is no exception in that regard.  

“Women have stood up for themselves -- for men and for their children -- and have said NO MORE.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Amendment to Lower Voting Age to 16

WASHINGTON  – Ahead of debate in the House of Representatives on H.R. 1, the For The People Act - transformative legislation that puts the power of democracy back in the hands of the American people, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced an amendment that would lower the federal election voting age from 18-years-old to 16-years-old.  In some states, including Massachusetts, 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote so that upon their 18th birthday, they can participate in the federal election process. Congresswoman Pressley’s amendment would expand these efforts so that people as young as 16-years-old can elect members of Congress and the President of the United States.

“Across this nation, young people are leading the way – from gun violence, to climate change, to the future of work – they are organizing, mobilizing, and calling us to action,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “My amendment to H.R. 1, the For The People Act, will strengthen the promise of our nation’s democracy. I am proud to propose an amendment that will lower the mandatory minimum voting age from 18-years-old to 16-years-old for federal elections, giving young people the power to elect members of Congress and the President of the United States. In the Massachusetts 7th, young activists remind us daily what is at stake, and just how high those stakes are. Our young people are at the forefront of some of the most existential crises facing our communities and our society at large. I believe that those who will inherit the nation we design here in Congress by virtue of our policies and authority should have a say in who represents them.”

Congresswoman Pressley has stood witness to deep and meaningful levels of engagement and mobilization by 16- and 17-year-olds. Last month, Congresswoman Pressley participated in the Boston Youth Justice Rally, organized by “I Have a Dream,” a statewide coalition of youth organizers.  At the rally, Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with youth advocates, demanding more youth jobs and an end to youth criminalization. Additionally, Congresswoman Pressley will be hosting a Youth Summit this summer, which will bring youth together to actively engage on policy issues that matter most to them.

You can find text of the amendment here.

Gayle King talks about her explosive R. Kelly interview on CBSN

In his first interview since he was jailed last month, R. Kelly says the charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse are all lies. "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King joined CBSN to talk about her exclusive interview with the R&B singer. Watch King's thoughts on the interview below:

Rep. Jim Clyburn dismisses the idea of reparations

The highest ranking African-American member of Congress has major problems with two prominent ideas to address racial disparities in the economy: one that comes from his fellow Democrats and another championed by a Republican African-American senator from his home state.

In an interview, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn teed off on both reparations and “opportunity zones,” complaining that the former is impractical and the latter is unhelpful.

“I think pure reparations would be impossible to implement,” said Clyburn, D-Columbia. “But we can deal with the issue (of racial inequality) if we just admit, first of all, that it exists and then come up with some straightforward ways to deal with it.”

Clyburn was more blunt about new “opportunity zones,” an initiative U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., pushed to include in the 2017 tax overhaul. It gives tax breaks to developers investing in low-income communities.

Read more: SC’s Clyburn pans reparations, ‘opportunity zones’ as unable to address racial inequality.

National Association of Black Journalist monitoring CNN

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has released this press release expressing its concerns about CNN's lack of black representation within the ranks of  executive news managers, Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents on the news side at the network.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 5, 2019) – The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is concerned about the lack of black representation within the ranks of CNN’s executive news managers and direct reports to CNN President Jeff Zucker. This concern, coupled with Zucker’s refusal to meet with a four-person NABJ delegation, has prompted NABJ to place CNN on a special media monitoring list.
 
A special team will perform further research and an analysis of CNN’s diversity, inclusion and equity practices, per the NABJ Board’s directive. The special team will also publicly report on identified deficiencies in hiring a diverse workforce in news decision-making capacities at CNN. NABJ is also calling for a civil rights audit that examines the company’s hiring, promotion and compensation practices involving black employees.
 
Specifically, NABJ is concerned about the findings of preliminary research that reveals the following: 
 
▪ CNN President Jeff Zucker has no black direct reports.
▪ There are no black Executive Producers at CNN.
▪ There are no black Vice Presidents on the news side at CNN. 
▪ There are no black Senior Vice Presidents on the news side at CNN.
 
NABJ received a communication from CNN disputing only one of our research points, saying the assertion that there are not any black vice presidents on the news side is inaccurate. However, when asked to provide the name and position of the individual or individuals involved on the editorial side of news, CNN has yet to provide specifics.
 
In addition to special media monitoring activities and the civil rights audit, NABJ’s next steps involve further engaging with CNN’s parent company, AT&T, which has responded positively to outreach efforts and previously agreed to meet with NABJ. 
 
NABJ's delegates are already engaged in very positive outreach with several other media companies and have met or have scheduled meetings with Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC. NABJ believes those companies see the value in such meetings and appreciates the respect those companies are showing for the positive intent of our efforts.
 
The NABJ four-person delegation has attended previous meetings with other media companies. The delegation requesting a meeting with Zucker includes President Sarah Glover, Vice President-Digital Roland Martin, Vice President- Broadcast Dorothy Tucker and Executive Director Drew Berry.
 
Zucker’s refusal to meet with the full delegation is based on a personal issue between CNN and NABJ’s Vice President-Digital Roland Martin. The issue stems from Martin’s participation in a 2016 town hall meeting with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Previously, former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile admitted, according to a Time essay, she inadvertently disclosed a town hall topic to the Clinton campaign that was part of Martin’s research inquiry for the town hall.  
 
NABJ’s request to meet was and is focused solely on CNN’s diversity efforts, its results and our strategic priorities as an organization.
 
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About NABJ 
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide. Founded by 44 men and women on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation.
 
Media Contact: 
Kanya Stewart 
Director of Communications
Press@NABJ.org
301-204-4447