New Proposal to Eliminate Congressional Caucuses by Race
A Republican lawmaker is pushing a new bill aimed at dismantling some prominent Democratic groups within Congress. Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina introduced a resolution that seeks to ban House caucuses based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
If this resolution passes, it would likely mean the end for influential Democratic caucuses like the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Interestingly, it might also affect certain Republican-oriented groups, including the Black Republican Congressional Staff Association and the Republican Latino Staff Association.
Mace stated, “Race-based caucuses are not diversity. They are federally sanctioned racism.” She added that it’s hypocritical to promote inclusivity while organizing groups that filter members based on skin color. The South Carolina Republican emphasized that it’s time to eliminate discrimination within taxpayer-funded institutions.
However, the resolution’s chances in the Republican-controlled House appear slim, and it is expected to face strong opposition not just from Democrats but possibly from some Republicans as well. This proposal arrives in the wake of recent Republican redistricting actions that have diminished the size of the Congressional Black Caucus by altering or removing several black-majority districts.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a potential candidate for the first Black House Speaker position, is one of the many who may be impacted by this bill. It’s uncertain whether Mace, who plans to retire come January, will actually push for a vote in the full House.
In her final months in Congress, Mace has focused on crafting legislation related to diversity, equity, inclusion policies, transgender participation in women’s sports, and birthright citizenship. Her stance appears to create a complex landscape of opinions regarding race and representation in Congress.
