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Since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
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Tri-Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chairs Denounce Ruling Against Minority Business Development Agency
Washington,
March 13, 2024
Today, the Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) responded to a federal judge’s ruling last week that the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) presumptions for race and ethnicity are unconstitutional. This decision prevents the MBDA from being able to consider an applicant’s race or ethnicity in determining eligibility for their programs. As MBDA considers all available options to respond to the ruling, CBC Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), CHC Chair Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and DWC Chair Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following joint statement: “After the Supreme Court gutted race-conscious admissions at universities and a federal court upended the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program last year, this decision is the next step in the far-right's strategy of using the judicial system to terminate federal efforts that strengthen opportunities for people of color, women, and underserved communities to achieve their American Dreams. The Minority Business Development Agency has done an outstanding job in democratizing access to capital, contracts, and markets for minority and women business owners who continue to face economic barriers from centuries of institutional exclusion and discrimination, and it is shameful that extremist Republicans and their lawyers are focusing their energy on attacking and dismantling opportunities for these entrepreneurs. We commend the MBDA for its ongoing work to serve socially and economically disadvantaged communities in light of this ruling, and encourage businesses to continue seeking out its services. As Chairs of the Tri-Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus, we remain committed to leveling the playing field for women, Black, Latino, and AANHPI-owned businesses and other minority-owned businesses that continue to face unique challenges to growth and competition.” CONTACT Freedom Murphy, (202) 702-0797 (CBC)
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