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Congress is boasting a record number of Black lawmakers, many of whom are aiming to fight against President-elect Donald Trump's agenda as members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), NBC News reports.
67 Black people are set to serve in Congress this session, which marks the most in history. 62 of these lawmakers are CBC members.
Following Vice President Kamala Harris' election loss, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks (D) said the CBC plans to hold Trump and his congressional supporters accountable.
“We’ve always been the conscience of the Congress, and that’s no matter who’s in charge,” Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. “We always try to work with folks where we can. But we call them out also. And now we have more of these leaders to call truth to power, to make sure that the voices of the voiceless are heard.”
Since its establishment in 1971, the CBC's mission has been to "represent Black and marginalized groups through voter enfranchisement, health care access, broader educational opportunities, jobs, reform of the criminal justice system and foreign relations with predominantly Black nations around the world," per NBC News. The caucus isn't tied to a political party, but all of its current members are Democrats.
Meeks said the CBC will "loudly" challenge the Trump administration on policies that affect Black people.
“Instead of just having a quartet, now you’ve got a whole choir,” he said. “And we will be loud, we will be clear, and we’re going to be constant and consistent, because this administration is a danger.”
For example, Meeks said the CBC would vehemently fight against GOP efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act.
“We’re going to be showing exactly who is working on that effort, because it’s going to have a direct effect on our community,” he said.
Niccara Campbell Wallace, executive director of the Rolling Sea Action Fund, said the CBC’s growth is now more important than ever.
“Despite the Republicans having the House and the Senate” next session, she said, “you feel good about what these historic number of Black Congress members can do in terms of helping influence what comes down the pipe.”
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