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Dear Colleague:

It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for the 116th Congress.

We began this Congress as the largest and most powerful Caucus in history, with 55 Members, five full Committee Chairs, and three Members of House Democratic Leadership. I am proud of all that we collectively accomplished with the power we held, from the passage of voting rights legislation and permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to a national tour to engage Black communities where they are and an emergency convening of Black leaders from around the country in Washington, DC, to a targeted response to the COVID-19 pandemic and championing transformative reforms to end police brutality, and much more.

The CBC has always been full of “Hidden Figures” that fight to improve the lives of those in greatest need and lift up the voices of the voiceless. That is why we were able to pass policing reform 30 days to the day of George Floyd’s murder. That is why were able to work with our Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American Members of Congress to demand a targeted response to the COVID-19 pandemic and initiate a national needs assessment for communities of color. And that is why we were able to host more than two dozen virtual town halls in the wake of the pandemic to stay engaged with our communities.

To learn more about all we accomplished these past two years, here is the CBC 116th Congress End of Year Report. I want to thank the CBC family for giving me the honor of serving as your Chair and for all of your support throughout my tenure. You have answered every call and I am eternally grateful. I would like to thank the CBC staff for your tireless work on behalf of the Caucus. And I would also like to thank you for your support of the CBC’s efforts this Congress. Our work continues and we need your continued collaboration in 2021 and beyond.

Next year, CBC will celebrate 50 years as the “Conscience of the Congress.” It is only fitting that the Caucus will be even larger and more powerful, with 59 Members to start before three of our very own Members join the historic Biden-Harris Administration. Under the leadership of Chair Joyce Beatty, the CBC will enjoy even greater opportunities to advance a Black agenda in the 117th Congress.

Thank you again and I wish you and your families a happy new year.

Sincerely,
 
Rep. Karen Bass