Will Congressional Black Caucus Be Relevant Next Year?

A number of villagers have been talking about the relevance and potency of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in 2009 and beyond. I think that everyone recognizes that they have not been relevant for many years. Whether it was because of the Republican dominance of congress and the White House or simply a dearth of energy and ideas ... it seems unlikely that much would be different over the past generation if the CBC never existed.

For those that don't know, the original purpose of the CBC was '...to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens'.

The CBC agenda in 2008 focused on:

1. Empower and Mobilize America's Youth
2. Build an International Internet Communications Portal
3. CBC Outreach Program
4. Impact the Alternative Energy Discussion

Now we enter into a new year ... Democratic dominance of the Senate and the House of Representatives ... Black man serving as our president ... and new leadership for the CBC. Will the CBC be relevant in the 111th Congress?

CBC Members elected to leadership posts include:

• Representative Barbara Lee (CA) - Chair
• Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO) – First Vice Chair
• Representative Donna Christensen (VI) – Second Vice Chair
• Representative G. K. Butterfield (NC) – Secretary
• Representative Yvette Clarke (NY) – Whip

Chairwoman-elect Barbara Lee remarked, “The 111th Congress will not only present unique and difficult challenges, but also historic opportunities for our caucus. I look forward to working with all of our CBC members to craft and implement a unified and bold agenda for the 111th Congress.”

I suppose what villagers want to know at this point ... what is that bold agenda for 2009-2010? Will the CBC avoid getting into a battle with Obama? Do you have any thoughts on the CBC agenda?