U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and leaders from the Black Women’s Roundtable convened at the U.S. Capitol to denounce the SAVE America Act, arguing that its strict citizenship documentation requirements would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. The group is pivoting toward a national mobilization effort to counter these restrictive measures while demanding that Congress instead prioritize the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to safeguard ballot access ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Author Archives: Ashlee Banks
Posted inNational News
Rep. Hank Johnson re-introduces bill to de-militarize local law enforcement
Representative Hank Johnson’s proposed legislation seeks to permanently dismantle the Pentagon’s 1033 Program, addressing long-standing data that correlates the concentration of military-grade weaponry in Black and brown neighborhoods with an escalation in lethal force. By codifying restrictions on battlefield hardware, the bill aims to end a cycle of executive policy reversals and confront the disproportionate tactical burden shifted onto marginalized communities under the guise of public safety.
Posted inPolitics
Black lawmakers rebuke Rep. Andy Ogles for anti-Muslim remarks
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, such as U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) , have issued a sharp rebuke of Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-5) following his assertions that Muslims “don’t belong” in the United States, characterizing the remarks as an attack on both religious freedom and the deep historical roots of Black Muslims in America.
Posted inNational News
Black lawmakers warn of disproportionate impact as House rejects War Powers Resolution and ethics reform
The House of Representatives recently reinforced expansive executive authorities by rejecting measures to curb presidential war powers and increase transparency regarding congressional sexual harassment. Black lawmakers warned that these decisions leave the burden of military conflict on a disproportionately represented active-duty force while shielding institutional misconduct from public accountability.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland challenges federal detention expansion amid disproportionate impact on Black migrants
By Ashlee BanksSpecial to the AFRO Advocacy groups and members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus are raising alarms over the disproportionate impact that new warehouse-style detention centers will have on the state’s Black migrant communities. Statistically, Black migrants already face longer detention periods and higher rates of disciplinary action while in custody. U.S. Rep. […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. to lie in state in South Carolina after Capitol Hill dispute
The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. will lie in state at the South Carolina State House on March 2, following a decision by Governor Henry McMaster to honor the Greenville, S.C. native and civil rights leader. The state-level tribute follows a dispute in Washington after House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request for Jackson’s casket to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol. A memorial caravan is currently traveling from Chicago to Columbia, South Carolina, where public and private services will be held to honor Jackson’s lifelong legacy of activism and political influence.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Activists, politicians and celebrities hold alternatives to State of the Union address
In a historic display of legislative dissent, a coalition of more than 80 lawmakers bypassed the official presidential address to convene an “alternative union” on the National Mall, framing their absence as a rejection of executive rhetoric. The atmosphere inside the Capitol remained volatile, punctuated by the forced removal of a congressman protesting racial imagery and verbal clashes over the domestic consequences of immigration enforcement.
Posted inPOLITICS
CBC slams U.S. intervention in Venezuela, citing lack of legal authority
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are condemning the United States’ military action in Venezuela, calling it an illegal act of aggression carried out without congressional authorization or a clear plan. Lawmakers warn the operation risks destabilizing the region, undermining international law, and drawing the country into another open-ended conflict.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland lawmakers launch bid to slash the cost of asthma treatments
Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks are advancing legislation designed to bring down the soaring cost of inhalers, nebulizers and other essential respiratory treatments. Their proposal would cap monthly expenses for insured and uninsured patients alike, expanding Medicare coverage and easing the financial strain on families managing asthma. The lawmakers say the measure is urgently needed as hospitalizations and racial disparities in respiratory illness continue to climb.
Posted inU.S. Government
A battle over Louisiana’s map could rewrite the future of the Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court appeared poised this week to weaken one of the nation’s most powerful civil rights protections, as justices weighed whether Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district violates the Constitution. Advocates warn the case could dismantle a cornerstone of the Voting Rights Act, threatening minority representation nationwide.
Posted inPolitics
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Honors former Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris received the Phoenix Award at the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Gala, honoring her contributions to public service and leadership. The event brought together lawmakers, civil rights leaders and cultural figures for an evening of speeches, awards and performances.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Government shutdown–what it means for work, travel and daily life
When the federal government shuts down, the effects are felt far beyond Washington, D.C. Federal workers may miss paychecks, travelers can face longer lines, and job seekers often experience delays in background checks and hiring. Even after funding is restored, agencies face backlogs that can take weeks or months to resolve, leaving practical consequences across communities nationwide.