Black Caucus Questions Obama About Farmers

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is not happy about President Barack Obama’s recent move potentially to stem billions of dollars owed to Black farmers. The Caucus recently requested an audience with the president’s officials after learning of a Justice Department filing by Obama’s administration that would prevent farmers who suffered discrimination from collecting up to $4 billion. The court action would top possible compensation at $100 million because it contradicts legislation Obama pushed while he was a senator. “At a minimum, the CBC should meet with the Obama administration and clarify this filing,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Read more.

Black lawmakers headed to Cuba over the weekend and met with President Raul Castro and former President Fidel Castro. The delegations discussed opening trade, travel and getting cooperation to combat drug and human trafficking. Click for more.

Obama Budget: Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money
President Barack Obama outlined his first budget for the nation’s ailing economy that targets cutting wasteful spending on healthcare and raising taxes on the wealthy. The plan calls for spending $3.55 trillion in 2010 as well as adding $3.9 trillion in spending to the 2009 budget. Click for the full story.

Obama Shouldn’t Expect All Love from Black Caucus
Just because President Barack Obama was once himself a member of the Congressional Black Caucus doesn’t mean he should expect to be handled gently by the esteemed body over the next four years. In fact, the 42 Democratic African-American members of the U.S. House of Representatives who comprise the caucus might tend to deal with him a little rougher than they would anybody else. After all, Obama, a former community organizer in the mean streets of Chicago before landing in the U.S. Senate, understands firsthand the issues and needs of the caucus’ constituents, and he rode into the White House largely on the wave created by them. Therefore, he might be pressed a little harder than normal to deliver on the needs of inner-city folks. Read the rest.

Black Lawmakers Praise Economic Bill

The Congressional Black Caucus gathered at the Capitol Thursday to praise the House’s passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Twenty-seven of the 43 members showed their support of what Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) called “the largest economic stimulant in history.” Cleaver also said that their constituents will benefit greatly. “The people we represent can feel comfortable with what we have included in this package.  What we wanted in this package is what made it.” Click for more.

Obama to Name Drug Czar
President Barack Obama will name a police chief as the nation’s next drug czar, administration officials said Friday. But many of those representing drug advocacy groups believe that the president is making a mistake by not naming someone more familiar with drug policy rather than enforcement. While in the past, administrations have  elevated the post to a Cabinet-level position it is unclear whether Chief Gil Kerlikowske, and eight-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department, will be at the Cabinet level, according to an anonymous administration official.  Before Seattle, he worked at the U.S. Justice Department, where he oversaw community policing grants. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer in Florida and New York. Some are cautiously optimistic about what he will bring to the new post. “While we’re disappointed that President Obama seems poised to nominate a police chief instead of a major public health advocate as drug czar, we’re cautiously optimistic that Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske will support Obama’s drug policy reform agenda,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a leading advocate of alternatives to the war on drugs. What gives us hope is the fact that Seattle has been at the cutting edge of harm reduction and other drug policy reform developments in the United States over the last decade.” Another hopeful observer is Norm Stamper, who preceded Kerlikowske as Seattle’s police chief and is now a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. “My belief is that he would be a huge improvement over his predecessor, John Walters. [Kerlikowske is] an open-minded, thoughtful individual who is much more likely than John Walters to entertain dialogue about the failure of the drug war and what an effective alternative might look like,” Stamper said. “I’m encouraged by President Obama’s positions on medical marijuana, needle exchange and other drug policy issues, and Chief Kerlikowske seems like an effective advocate for carrying out that enlightened, progressive agenda.”

Black lawmakers tell Obama to be patient. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are still giddy over President-elect Barack Obama’s prospects of becoming the 44^th president, but they are also advising the recently resigned senator to prioritize his wish list of projects. Rep. John Lewis jokingly says he’ll try to resist calling Barack Obama “Brother President” after he’s sworn in as the nation’s first African-American president on Jan. 20, reports the McClatchy News Service. “He is not just our president; he’s the president of all Americans,” said Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon, “the president of Black Americans, Latino Americans – all Americans.” But others recognize that the Democrat’s election to the nation’s highest post doesn’t assure him smooth sailing in getting all he wants to do done right away. “He’s at 75 percent approval in the polls . . . as high as anybody taking office. Anybody,”  said Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), the House Majority Whip and a former Black Caucus chairman. “That could dissipate overnight if you lurch too far left or right.  . . . I don’t want to do anything quickly, I want to do it lastingly.” Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), told McClatchy News that he thinks Obama will, however, over time handle pressing issues that affect African Americans – such as the widening gaps in Black and White health care, education and employment, as well as the disproportionately high incarceration rate of Black men. 

Black lawmakers welcome a new member. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus welcome a new member and select new leadership for the 111th Congress. Read more at Pamela on Politics.