Why does the US Congress have a Congressional Black Caucus?

Question

I have noticed Congressmen who are white don't have a White Caucus. But, they help people of all races, acording to the laws. But this must mean the Black Caucus membership will only help black people. I also noticed they are angry that Congressman Jackson was caught with dirty money and are fighting the issue. But when the white men are in trouble for the kick-backs and dirty money, the black congressmen just laugh.
I am an observer from another country and I am neither black nor white. I believe my observation is fair and has validity.

Answer 1

The Congressional Black Caucus is actually only for blacks. I asked a black congressman for help one time and he was concerned about my race. As soon as he knew I was White, with American Indian, I was omitted.

The CBC claims to be for everyone. However, their actions speak louder than words. As for Jackson, he is just as guilty as the whites who have done wrong; but since he is black the CBC and the NAACP will call it discrimination./ Just think about that; black congressmen who can only see black.

As for the Latinos, Asians, and any other ethnic group, don't look for help from the CBC; try to contact the other congressmen who don't have a hidden agenda that does not include non-blacks.

Here is the story:
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
47 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - A drive by the Democratic leadership to strip embattled Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) of his committee post triggered a backlash Thursday as the Congressional Black Caucus opposed the move and said the Louisiana lawmaker deserves a "presumption of innocence."

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The caucus chairman, Rep. Melvin Watt (news, bio, voting record) of North Carolina, told reporters that some black voters might ask why action was sought against "a black member of Congress" when there was neither precedent nor rule for it.

Jefferson has not been indicted and has denied all wrongdoing in connection with a federal bribery investigation that has netted two convictions. He has rebuffed repeated calls from Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and others to step aside until any involvement is clarified.

Watt spoke after a Democratic leadership group voted to strip Jefferson of his committee post, at least temporarily. The entire rank and file was then summoned to debate the issue but postponed a vote until next week.

A vote by the full House would be required to force Jefferson to step aside.

"I can guarantee" he will not voluntarily step aside, said Melanie Roussell, Jefferson's spokeswoman.

The maneuvering came as part of a determined attempt by Pelosi, D-Calif., to ease Jefferson from his position. "I feel he should step aside," the minority leader told reporters. She declined further comment, but spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said any charge that race was involved was "absolutely untrue. This is about upholding the highest ethical standard for every member of the Democratic caucus."

Democrats intend to campaign against Republicans this fall by accusing them of presiding over a "culture of corruption." Jefferson's continued presence on the committee presumably would allow Republicans to blur the issue in the midterm elections.

Several officials said Watt had spoken up at the meeting of the rank and file to invoke a rule that provides for a five-day delay.

Emerging from the session, he distributed a statement that said the Congressional Black Caucus perhaps has a "unique appreciation of our nation's constitutional guarantee of the presumption of innocence."

The statement added the group "therefore opposes suggestions that some have made to force Rep. Jefferson to resign from Congress or to remove him involuntarily from his position on the Ways and Means Committee in the absence of precedents that have been historically applied and will be consistently applied in the future."

Speaking for himself, Watt was more pointed.

He said the leadership was open to a charge that it was acting out of political expedience. "It's about to blow up in their face," he added.

Referring to black voters, who are among the most loyal Democrats in the electorate, he added, "You've got a whole base of people out there who believe that the Democratic Party takes them for granted already."

If action is taken only against someone who "is a black member of Congress, then our community will legitimately ask what in the world are you doing?"

While Jefferson has not been indicted, two men have been found guilty in the probe.

Brett Pfeffer, a former Jefferson aide, was sentenced to eight years in prison last month for conspiring to commit bribery and aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official.

Vernon Jackson, 53, chief executive of iGate Inc., a Louisville, Ky.-based telecommunications company, pleaded guilty May 3 to paying more than $400,000 in bribes to Jefferson.

Additionally, the FBI claims that it videotaped the Louisianian last summer taking $100,000 in bribe money and that agents later found $90,000 of the money stashed in a freezer in his home.

FBI agents carried out a weekend search of Jefferson's congressional office last month, triggering an outpouring of criticism from congressional leaders claiming they had encroached on Congress' constitutional powers.

In response, Bush ordered the material taken be turned over the a Justice Department official not involved in the investigation.

Race was a further complication in the episode. Jefferson is black, and some Democrats say that black voters could be alienated if he is forced aside.

"The rule is you lose your leadership position or chairmanship" after indictment, said Rep. Bobby Scott (news, bio, voting record) of Virginia, who is also black.

Pelosi recently prevailed on Rep. Alan Mollohan (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia, to step aside as senior member of the ethics committee after questions were raised about some of his legislative actions. But he remains a member of the Appropriations Committee, with broad authority over the expenditure of hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

Answer 2

A 'caucus' is a collected group that discusses issues, and has some common thread. It doesn't necessarily mean the entire group votes the same.

Every political party is a caucus. Within political parties, moderates versus extremists might each have their own caucus. All those from a given geographic region might have a caucus. And those of a particular minority race might have a caucus.

If everyone (or almost everyone) is a member, then it's not a caucus, because it's a quorum. It's only a caucus when it's a small group of people who have a common set of issues. And it's not something formed by Congress -- rather it's up to individuals to get together and form a caucus, based on whatever their group agenda is.

Answer 3

There are huge cultural differences between Black Americans and White Americans. It is a long standing and sometimes personal problem.

No. The Congressional Black Caucus does not merely represent Black people. Basically, they represent unenfranchised people such as children, foreign born, the aged and other people who are not ethnically or traditionally tied to the conventional White - Anglo - Saxon - Protestant majority of the Congress.

The Congressional Black Caucus basically sets its agenda based on the voice of the voiceless.

You don't have to be Black to be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. There are White members in that caucus, too. But you can almost tell when their name will show up judging by what you hear in the news.

If Muslims are being singled out, Mexicans, as in the illegal entry issue, children, as in the Children's Defense Fund, or any unenfrancised group of people, the Congressional Black Caucus basically takes charge.

This isn't about race, it is generally about unenfranchised or voiceless people. White Congressmen do have a caucus. They have about 75 of them. Fifty in the House of Representatives and about 25 in the U.S. Senate. So one black caucus should be no big problem.

Answer 4

Your Question is both fair and valid, thank you for asking it. As an American have also noted this irregularity in our legislature. I have also noted it is colleges with a "Black Student Union". I have never had the opportunity to ask what the deal is with the Black Caucus but I have discussed the Black Student Union issue at length. I believe that there are similarities.
Noting the Black student Union I approached one of the leaders of which I knew from a previous class. I inquired about the union and I was told that the Black Student Union was a body of individuals that met to discuss issues that applied to black students. She said, "you have your white student union, so it is only fair that we have a black one too". Puzzled with this I pointed out that the Student Union was representatives of all students regardless of race, religion and so on. She disagreed with this and was set on pointing out that "white people are not able to speak for the black people because they do not understand them".
Inquiring further I asked if I could attend a meeting to see how it was run. She informed me that while she did not personally have a problem other black members would. She said that it was a "black thing".
Our student union accepts everyone, and always has. The current student union recently elected a black president. She represents all students at various functions; nobody has a problem with this. Regardless, the Black Student Union remains.
For some reason there is disjointedness in society that creates a division between black and white people. The division does not end there it is found between all races at varying levels. The issue becomes more and more complex as these irregularities are realized.

Answer 5

Another Racist. Are you from Alabama, Florida or Texas?

There is a women's caucus, and many others. They feel they can have more clout as a group.

And why should their be a WHITE caucus?? Every time they meet they have a white caucus!!

Answer 6

Why not Asian Caucus? We have Asians in US! And Latino?

Because blacks are historically a minority in congress. They need more "political power." Up until the congress don't exhibit that blacks are a minority, then maybe that caucus would be rid off.

You might be "an observer from another country," but like other Koreans living in the US, they tend to align themeselves more with whites than any other race, including Asians.

Answer 7

Up until recent history (in the last 50 years), Congress was one big white caucus.

Since the formation of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the core mission of the CBC has been to close (and, ultimately, to eliminate) disparities that exist between African-Americans and white Americans in every aspect of life. These continuing and troubling disparities make it more difficult, and often make it impossible, for African-Americans to reach their full potential.

In pursuing the core mission of the CBC, the CBC has been true to its motto that "the CBC has no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, just permanent interests."

The CBC acknowledges the unfortunate fact that disparities between African-Americans and white Americans continue to exist in 2005 in every aspect of our lives and that the historical mission of the CBC has not yet been fully accomplished.

Answer 8

Because when a member of congress gets into trouble, its easier to blame racism than accept personal responsibility (Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Rep. William Jefferson)

Answer 9

Because us white, cracker, honkys are responsible for all of the problems affecting black America...they need to be protected against the great white oppressor who is only trying to put them down.

Answer 10

because race relations have a double standard, get used to it.