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Black Caucus Storms Congress
Melanie Campbell, head of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, watched Thursday’s swearing-in of members of the Congressional Black Caucus and thought, “It feels good to be black in America.”
The CBC enters the 110th Congress packing the greatest strength since its inception in the 1970s. The group includes 43 members and several in powerful leadership positions as part of the new Democratic majority.
“To see people like John Conyers become head of the Judiciary Committee, and to see Charlie Rangel of New York, who was there in the beginning (of the CBC) reach this pivotal moment as head of Ways and Means, was special,” Campbell told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “It’s not just historical, but it also takes our empowerment to another level. Now the real work begins.”
In addition to Rangel and Conyers’ appointments, CBC members Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will head the Homeland Security Committee and Juanita Millender-McDonald of California will head the House Committee on Administration. Also, Rep. James Clyborn of South Carolina will have the third highest rank in the House serving as majority whip. Also several CBC members are expected to pick up key sub-committee appointments.
While Democrats and black party members have a strong base of power as the session begins, some observers caution that obstacles are still ahead.
Political analyst Ron Walters said while CBC members are in the best positions they have had in the House, there still is reason for caution.
“Under normal circumstances, we could say they are in good position to get things done,” Walters told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “But there is a Republican president who will be standing ready with a veto pen. Also, there are more Blue Dog conservative Democrats than there are CBC members.”
There are 44 Blue Dog Democrats, the conservative right wing members of the Democrat Party who sometimes vote with Republicans.
“They will always have the worry of someone not voting with you,” Walters said. He said the committee chairmanship nomination of CBC member Rep. Alcee Hastings was rejected because "moderates didn’t favor that appointment.”
More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=4643ec60bf905a5ed0a5e794d228b324
“To see people like John Conyers become head of the Judiciary Committee, and to see Charlie Rangel of New York, who was there in the beginning (of the CBC) reach this pivotal moment as head of Ways and Means, was special,” Campbell told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “It’s not just historical, but it also takes our empowerment to another level. Now the real work begins.”
In addition to Rangel and Conyers’ appointments, CBC members Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will head the Homeland Security Committee and Juanita Millender-McDonald of California will head the House Committee on Administration. Also, Rep. James Clyborn of South Carolina will have the third highest rank in the House serving as majority whip. Also several CBC members are expected to pick up key sub-committee appointments.
While Democrats and black party members have a strong base of power as the session begins, some observers caution that obstacles are still ahead.
Political analyst Ron Walters said while CBC members are in the best positions they have had in the House, there still is reason for caution.
“Under normal circumstances, we could say they are in good position to get things done,” Walters told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “But there is a Republican president who will be standing ready with a veto pen. Also, there are more Blue Dog conservative Democrats than there are CBC members.”
There are 44 Blue Dog Democrats, the conservative right wing members of the Democrat Party who sometimes vote with Republicans.
“They will always have the worry of someone not voting with you,” Walters said. He said the committee chairmanship nomination of CBC member Rep. Alcee Hastings was rejected because "moderates didn’t favor that appointment.”
More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=4643ec60bf905a5ed0a5e794d228b324
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