Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), who is set to become the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has outlined the organization's legislative priorities for the upcoming 120th Congress. In an interview conducted on Tuesday, Carter urged his party to concentrate on affordability, health care, environmental justice, and economic parity. He also emphasized the importance of passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, describing it as a central mechanism through which other legislative actions will flow.
Carter noted that these issues are not separate items on a list but rather concurrent challenges. "If you ask me to order them, I would tell you they're all going to be coming at you simultaneously," he stated. This agenda aligns closely with the plans previously touted by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ahead of the recent election. However, Democrats have struggled to pass voting rights legislation since the 2018 midterms, often facing Republican opposition and internal disputes over Senate procedure.
Various versions of voting rights bills have been introduced by Democrats since 2019. These proposals have ranged in scope, with the most expansive versions seeking to overhaul the American election system. Such changes have included reinstating weakened provisions of the Voting Rights Act, banning partisan gerrymandering, and establishing public financing for congressional campaigns. The specific version introduced in the previous Congress focused more narrowly on restoring preclearance requirements for jurisdictions with a history of discrimination.
During the last period of Democratic control following the 2020 election, a comprehensive voting rights bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate. At that time, Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) worked to preserve the filibuster, which effectively blocked the bill because it lacked sufficient Republican support to meet the 60-vote threshold. In the new Congress, the legislation has received the symbolic distinction of being the first bill introduced in either chamber.
Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus, an organization founded in 1971 and often described as the conscience of the Congress, are optimistic about passing the bill in the new session. The caucus is projected to have at least 66 members, which would make it the largest in its history. This count excludes several undecided races, including the deadlocked Mississippi Senate contest involving Scott Colom.
Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), chair of the CBC's political arm, expressed confidence that the caucus's growth will aid its legislative efforts. "Because we have a record number of African Americans in the Senate, we will not only be able to pass it in the House but we'll have the advocates and the individuals to put it forward to get it passed in the Senate," Meeks told Politico. He argued that the increase in members is partly attributable to significant investments by CBC-aligned political groups.
According to a memo shared with Politico, groups such as CBCPAC, Rolling Sea Action fund, and Let it Resound invested $20 million in races nationwide. These organizations also implemented a seven-figure social media campaign and targeted Black-led firms and media outlets for advertising. More than a dozen of their 37 targeted House races were held by existing CBC members, including Reps. Shomari Figures of Alabama and Don Davis of North Carolina, who both won on redistricted maps designed to defeat them.
Despite the caucus's growth, it remains uncertain if there is enough support to pass voting rights legislation while the filibuster remains intact. Several recently elected Democratic senators have indicated a desire to keep the current Senate rules. Meeks acknowledged that the caucus, which consists entirely of Democrats, will need to find ways to work with President Donald Trump to deliver on campaign promises.
Meeks appeared confident in the caucus's ability to navigate the political landscape. "The burden will be on the president," he said. He added that if the administration continues with tariff policies or attempts to alter the historical legacy of African American leaders, the caucus would be prepared for a political battle.
