U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, of Ohio was elected the 27th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus yesterday, December 3rd. The caucus will make its 50th anniversary in 2021. She will take over the US Congresswoman Karen Bass of California
What We Know:
- Upon receiving the news, she released a statement, “It is the honor of a lifetime to be voted by my peers to lead the Congressional Black Caucus in the 117th Congress. As Chair, I will work with the Biden Administration, House and Senate Leadership, as well as my congressional colleagues, to defeat the pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us.”
- Beatty also vowed to make sure she would build on the previous efforts to create racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable healthcare, housing, and education, as well as word to reform the Ohio criminal justice system. Last month, Beatty exclusively told theGrio that being a Black woman would make her tenue more impactful not only in the CBC but also within Congress’s walls.
- The congresswoman was previously Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. This past summer, addressed the country during the “Get Your Foot off Our Necks” Commitment March in Washington D.C. According to MSN news, she made a statement in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. “I am here representing the Congressional Black Caucus—54 members—who understand that silence is not an option because Black people face a symbolic chokehold every time we walk, speak up, shop, jog, drive and, yes, breathe,”.
- Beatty has represented Ohio’s third congressional district since 2013. As a chair, she will work with the Biden Administration, House and Senate Leadership. She says she will use her voice to address enduring economic and health disparities and to fight to break the chains of systemic racism.
Beatty is the third Ohioan to serve as chair of the caucus after Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and Rep. Louis Stokes.
