WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was elected to serve as the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Second Vice-Chair in the 118th Congress.
This is the third-most senior position in caucus leadership, and is a member of the Executive Committee. This role was previously filled by Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, who is finishing her fourth term in Congress. Congressman Carter will take on this role during his sophomore congressional term.
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Second Vice-Chair in the powerhouse institution that is the Congressional Black Caucus, and I thank my colleagues for entrusting me with this leadership position,” said Congressman Troy Carter. “I came to Congress to be the voice of my constituents, which is a job that I take very seriously. I also serve on Capitol Hill as the only Black congress member in a delegation representing a state that is one-third African American. This is an enormous responsibility, and I know that the greater Black community in my state depends on me to advocate for our shared community within systems that, too often, are designed to silence our voices. I will not be silent. In this leadership role in the Congressional Black Caucus, and every day as a Congressman, I will continue fighting for the issues that make a difference to all Louisianans and Americans.”
Since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus has been committed to using the federal government's full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities have a shot at the American Dream. The CBC is often called the “Conscience of the Congress.”
While the CBC has predominately been made up of members of the Democratic Party, the founding members of the caucus envisioned a non-partisan organization. Consequently, the CBC has a long history of bipartisan collaboration and members who are Democrats and Republicans.
The full results of the 118th Congressional Black Caucus leadership election will be shared by the Congressional Black Caucus here.