Power shift: will African Americans benefit from the Democratic takeover of Congress?The excitement Democrats felt after winning back the majority in both the House and the Senate during the mid-term elections is still palpable. Voters have spoken, making clear their dissatisfaction with the GOP's corruption, their handling of the economy, and the escalating violence in Iraq. After a 12-year elephant stampede, the donkeys are back in power. Now they must produce. Democrats got an early with their "Six for '06" plan, which includes a minimum wage increase, lower interest rates on student loans, and government negotiation of prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, prices for Medicare patients. It's a safe agenda with broad appeal that will bring some economic relief to the middle class and help set the stage for the 2008 presidential election. "You want to put wins on the board, even if they're small wins. It will show people they're trying to do some things," says Michael Fauntroy, an assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University Named after American revolutionary, patriot and founding father George Mason, the university was founded as a branch of the University of Virginia in 1957 and became an independent institution in 1972. and author of the new book Republicans and the Black Vote (Lynne Reinner Pub, $49.95). "But I would caution anyone from getting overly optimistic that things will radically change immediately. They won't. The lawmaking process is slow, and slowed even more with a Republican president and close margins in both chambers." The good news for African Americans is that several black lawmakers now head powerful House committees and subcommittees, most notably Charles Bangel of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of (Ways and Means WAYS AND MEANS. In legislative assemblies there is usually appointed a committee whose duties are to inquire into, and propose to the house, the ways and means to be adopted to raise funds for the use of the government. This body is called the committee of ways and means. ) and John Cowers of Michigan (Judiciary). Jim Clyburn of South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. is majority whip, the third most powerful House leadership position. They will set the legislative agenda on critical issues for the nation, as well as the minority communities they represent, and address concerns ranging from law enforcement and community development to Social Security and tax reform. The 43-member Congressional Black Caucus Congressional Black Caucus, organization of African-American members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Founded in 1970, it addresses legislative concerns of African Americans and other minority citizens, such as employment, welfare reform, minority business has gained a modicum mod·i·cum n. pl. mod·i·cums or mod·i·ca A small, moderate, or token amount: "England still expects a modicum of eccentricity in its artists" Ian Jack. of power, but its influence comes with a caveat. Along with the Democratic leadership, the CBC (1) (Cell Broadcast Center) See cell broadcast. (2) (Cipher Block Chaining) In cryptography, a mode of operation that combines the ciphertext of one block with the plaintext of the next block. must engage in a fine balancing act if its party is to hold the majority and retain its base for 2008. "With those individuals in power positions, we ought to begin to close the inequity that exists in America," says Peter Groff, founder and &rector of the University of Denver's Center for African American Policy. But, he adds, they'll have to "balance the needs of the majority as a whole as opposed to moving forward with a very aggressive agenda. The Democrats' energy may be better spent crafting an agenda that targets specific unmet needs in minority communities. According to University of Maryland University of Maryland can refer to:
Michigan Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (born June 25, 1945, Detroit, Michigan) is an American politician. She has been a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997. , the recently elected CBC chair, agrees. "We will put forth an agenda that addresses the needs of African Americans and the American people." The CBC's initiatives include providing ongoing assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims, helping black farmers produce crops that can be used as alternative energy sources, funding programs to combat HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and violence in Darfur, and using technology to increase the CBC's constituent outreach efforts. Black entrepreneurs should also shape their political agenda. In the past six years, many of their concerns have been neglected: A growing number of government contracts have gone to big business, the cost of loans and conducting business has risen, and the Small Business Administration's budget has shrunk Bill Mays, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Mays Chemical Co. (No. 27 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $152 million in sales), says, "I hope there will be less pressure and less agitation against diversity initiatives in general and against government-sponsored initiatives--in particular the SBA SBA abbr. Small Business Administration Noun 1. SBA - an independent agency of the United States government that protects the interests of small businesses and ensures that they receive a fair share of government and the 8(a) programs--to ensure that minority-owned companies get a fair share of supply contracts." Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who chair their chambers' respective small-business committees, have pledged to reverse those trends. But some critics say minority business owners must speak with one voice in order to have their specific needs addressed. "We don't have the kind of consistent presence on Capitol Hill that you need," says Anthony Robinson, head of the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund. "Right now we're in a constant reactive mode. You need that ongoing presence in order to carry forward an agenda that speaks to the needs of minority business." Change does not come easily, but Democrats vow that, this session, "there will be civility and transparency. What the Republicans did in hijacking hijacking Crime of seizing possession or control of a vehicle from another by force or threat of force. Although by the late 20th century hijacking most frequently involved the seizure of an airplane and its forcible diversion to destinations chosen by the air pirates, when the process is atrocious," says Clyburn. "We're going to open up this government and let the sun shine in. There will be oversight; there will be no no-bid contracts or sneaking things into legislation." Some Republicans don't view the Democratic takeover in negative terms. "It's part of a healthy process. When you're given the keys to governing and you lose the keys, people take you out of the governing position," observes Michael Steele, the outgoing lieutenant governor of Maryland The Lieutenant Governor of Maryland is the second highest ranking official in the executive branch of the state government of Maryland in the United States. He or she is elected on the same ticket as the Governor of Maryland and must meet the same qualifications. who lost his U.S. Senate bid. "Particularly over the last few years, the GOP has lost the keys to governing when it comes to how they spend and how we've handled the war in Iraq. I think we've paid a price for that. Leadership requires diligence. You reap what you sow." WINNER'S CIRCLE New CBC Members Hank Johnson, Ga. Keith Ellison, Minn. (Congress' first Muslim member) Yvette Clark, N.Y. House Leadership and Chairs of Key Congressional Committees and Subcommittees Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.), Majority Whip Rep. Charles Rangel (N.Y.), Ways and Means Rep. John Conyers (Mich.), Judiciary Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Tex.), Judiciary subcommittee on Immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , Border Security, and Claims Rep. Kendrick Meek (Fla.), Homeland Security subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.), Financial Services subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Big "Firsts" Deval Patrick, Massachusetts Governor David Paterson, New York Lt. Governor Other State Wins Anthony Brown, Maryland Lt. Governor James B. Lewis, New Mexico State Treasurer |
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