Frederick Douglass, the most important leader in the struggle for Black civil rights in the 19th century, was honored in Washington, D.C. with the groundbreaking of a new community center in his name, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, and the renaming of the U.S. House press gallery.
Tag: U.S. House of Representatives
What were they thinking: A betrayal of leadership?
Black Americans across the nation are questioning why Black leaders such as Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08) voted for a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator who often made disparaging comments about the Black community. This week, AFRO News Publisher and CEO Dr. Frances Murphy Draper speaks on the legislators who voted to honor Kirk, and praises those like Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07) (center) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) (right), who stood against the resolution put before them.
Congressional Black Caucus members slam “Big, Ugly Bill”
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was passed by the House of Representatives with 218 votes for and 214 against, despite the Congressional Black Caucus’ protests and warnings of devastating impacts on Black communities nationwide.
House passes several ‘anti-D.C. Home Rule’ bills
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed three bills aiming to override D.C.’s local laws, reigniting debates over Home Rule and statehood. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At-Large) condemned the measures as undemocratic and harmful.
Congress passes legislation to posthumously award Shirley Chisholm with Congressional Gold Medal
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed legislation to honor Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, with a Congressional Gold Medal for her groundbreaking contributions to American politics and social justice.
House Democrats divided over whom to blame for outcome of 2024 presidential election
Democrats are divided over the reasons for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 election loss, with some blaming the party’s lack of engagement on key issues and others calling for more proactive leadership.
CBC members protest Israeli prime minister’s address to Congress
Congressional Black Caucus members, including Ayanna Pressley and Jamaal Bowman, opted not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint session address to Congress, citing concerns about his role in the Israel-Hamas conflict and his use of the platform to fearmonger and gain support for his bombing campaign.
Vice President Harris and the rest of the agenda
President Biden’s decision to step down and pass the torch to Vice President Harris has sparked an outpouring of support and donations, and it is up to voters to make a difference in the upcoming presidential election by voting for Democrats in congressional races and ensuring the Electoral College delegates are selected.
Congress members criticize Speaker Mike Johnson for snubbing Kenyan president
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been criticized for refusing to invite Kenyan President William Ruto to address a joint session of Congress, instead inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of committing war crimes.
TikTok sues Biden-Harris administration over law that could ban the app
TikTok and ByteDance have filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration, arguing that a potential ban of the app would violate the First Amendment rights of millions of American TikTok users.
AFRO endorsement: Mike Rogers for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District
Delegate Mike Rogers, a veteran with over 30 years of service in the U.S. military, is running for election as Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, promising to continue his work in the House of Delegates and focusing on issues like crime and community safety.
“Six-Triple-Eight: A New Musical,” to honor Black women of WWII’s European Theater
The 6888th Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-female, Black unit to serve in Europe during World War II, is the subject of a play currently being developed for Broadway, which aims to celebrate the courage and resilience of Black women in the face of adversity.

