From Washington Straight: Emergent Black Power

One of the more intriguing political sleepers here is the Black Caucus and how its twenty members are successfully forcing their way to the top of the Democratic command structure in the House. The gathering strength of this tenacious group will affect not only the House of Representatives and the Democratic Party, but also Hill conservatives of both parties in both chambers. The Black Caucus is now positioned to influence legislation as never before, “pushing it leftward,” as one Hill watcher states.

At present, Black Caucus members chair five of the 22 standing committees and two of the five select committees in the House. Of these 27 committees, Caucus members hold more than 25 per cent of the chairs. Yet, blacks constitute less than 5 per cent of all House members, less than 8 per cent of all House Democrats, and less than 12 per cent of the national population.

JM

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John McLaughlin

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One of the more intriguing political sleepers here is the Black Caucus and how its twenty members are successfully forcing their way to the top of the Democratic command structure in the House. The gathering strength of this tenacious group will affect not only the House of Representatives and the Democratic Party, but also Hill conservatives of both parties in both chambers. The Black Caucus is now positioned to influence legislation as never before, “pushing it leftward,” as one Hill watcher states.

At present, Black Caucus members chair five of the 22 standing committees and two of the five select committees in the House. Of these 27 committees, Caucus members hold more than 25 per cent of the chairs. Yet, blacks constitute less than 5 per cent of all House members, less than 8 per cent of all House Democrats, and less than 12 per cent of the national population.