Black Congress Members Elect New Chair

Ohio's Marcia Fudge will lead Congressional Black Caucus for 2-year term

The influential group comprising the approximately 40 members of Congress who are black has a new leader.

U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) was unanimously elected by her fellow African American members of the House of Representatives to serve as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. The caucus helps set the political agenda for its members, especially on issues important to African Americans. The outgoing chair is U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.)

[ALSO READ: First Lady Addresses CBC]

"As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we have been deemed the "Conscience of the Congress" for a reason," Fudge told the Washington Informer. "We share a commitment to champion the issues of millions of Americans who yearn for a better future. We remain concerned about unemployment, particularly the high rate of unemployment among African Americans."

Rounding out the CBC leadership are U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), first vice chair; U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) second vice chair; U.S. Rep. André Carson (D. Ind.), secretary and U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D.-Calif.), whip.

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]