Mfume promises fight against GOP Hill cutbacks

Jet, Dec 26, 1994

The outgoing Congressional Black Caucus Chairman (CBC) Rep. Kweisi Mfume lashed the Republicans for their effort to neutralize the power of the record number of minority lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Opposing the plan of incoming House Speaker Newt Gingrich to wipe out congressional funding and office space for the special caucuses, the Baltimore congressman argued, "This is a lame attempt by some to curb the power of minorities in Congress."

He charged that the GOP offensive was "an ethnic and philosophical cleansing" which could mar the 104th Congress.

"They have energized, not diminished the spirits of these caucuses," challenged Rep. Mfume, who recently ended his two-year leadership stint, "They have created 40 pit bulls (40 CBC members) who will chase this elephant day in and day out."

Voicing support was Rep. Jose Serrano of New York who is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. In a historic move, he promised to join the Black Caucus in a united front against conservative GOPers.

"This is one right that cannot be abolished," Rep. Mfume continued, "No Republican can ever give us the right to organize. This is a right we give ourselves."

Blaming the GOP plan to wipe out the caucus funding as a mean spirited attempt to silence racial minorities and women, NAACP leaders announced a mid-February national legislative mobilization in Washington, D.C.

The focus, according to Washington Bureau Director Wade Henderson, will be on the impact of the GOP contract. The two-day gathering will examine welfare reform, new harsh crime proposals and the balanced budget constitutional amendment.

"The Black Caucus was especially effective in the last Congress," said Henderson. "The effort to defund them is a crude attempt to hamper their effectiveness. It is also a reflection of the political hard ball that can be expected from the new House leadership."