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.
Author Archives: Ashlee Banks
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.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Black legislators lead bipartisan effort to expand women’s health research
Senator Angela Alsobrooks (left) and U.S. Representatives Shontel Brown (center) and Ayanna Pressley (right) are working with celebrities and advocates to push forward with the U-FIGHT Act, which seeks to expand research, screening and treatment for uterine fibroids and other women’s health conditions that have long been underfunded and stigmatized.
Posted inU.S. Government
Gridlock in Congress triggers shutdown as Maryland officials work to offset impact
Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, triggering the first federal government shutdown in six years and furloughing hundreds of thousands of workers. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over health care subsidies and budget priorities, while states like Maryland scramble to support affected employees and contractors.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Rep. Glenn Ivey reintroduces George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland has introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a wide-ranging proposal to overhaul policing practices and expand accountability measures. Five years after Floyd’s death galvanized a national movement, the legislation seeks to strengthen transparency, limit excessive force and restore public confidence in law enforcement.
Posted inU.S. Government
Bipartisan resolution aims to protect Black mothers through expanded prenatal screening
U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.-03) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) have proposed a bipartisan resolution to make screening for Antiphospholipid Syndrome a standard part of prenatal care. The measure seeks to reduce preventable pregnancy complications and tackle the higher risks faced by Black women during pregnancy.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Glenn Ivey’s balancing act: A congressman, a husband, a father
Rep. Glenn Ivey, a devoted father and husband, has managed to strike a rare balance between life on Capitol Hill and the responsibilities of raising a family. With a home just miles from Congress, Ivey’s proximity allows him to stay present, even as his schedule demands near-constant attention to work. His story is one of adaptation, shared sacrifice and the powerful example of a Black political family living their values both publicly and privately.
Posted inPolitics
Democrats intensify push for full release of Epstein files
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking ring joined Democratic lawmakers in urging the Justice Department to make public all remaining case records, saying full disclosure is essential for justice. Their push has ignited fierce debate on Capitol Hill, where Republicans warn against broad releases while bipartisan efforts seek to compel transparency.
