Joint Center Updates
New Joint Center Report Finds People of Color Are Significantly Underrepresented in U.S. Senate Committee Top-Level Positions
Most U.S. Senate Committee Chairs and Ranking Members Fail to Hire Top Staff That Reflects U.S. Diversity Today, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released Racial Diversity Among Senate Committee Top Staff, a report revealing a lack of racial diversity among top staff in Senate committee offices. The report found that while people of color account…
Voting Rights, Ranking Senate Dems’ Staff Diversity, Infrastructure & More: July 16 Joint Center Roundup
Biden Administration Biden on policing: During a meeting with mayors and police chiefs, President Biden said Americans owed law enforcement and community leaders “big time,” reports the New York Times. The meeting was reportedly an “increasingly urgent effort by the White House to demonstrate that the president is aggressively confronting gun violence as homicides rise…
Condemning Assassination of Haitian President, White House Civil Rights Meeting, Investing in Human Infrastructure: July 8 Joint Center Roundup
Due to this week’s holiday, the Joint Center is releasing an abbreviated roundup. We will resume our more robust roundup next week. Biden Administration Biden condemns assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moïse: In a statement, President Biden condemned the “heinous act,” offered condolences, and indicated that the U.S. stands “ready to assist.” White House Press…
Bipartisan Agreement on Infrastructure, Analyzing The White House Budget: July 2 Joint Center Roundup
Biden Administration Bipartisan agreement on infrastructure: Lawmakers have reportedly come to an agreement on an infrastructure deal. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan deal, introduced as the INVEST in America Act, will direct “federal investments in roads, bridges, transit, rail, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reimagines our national transportation policies and helps meet the President’s vision to…
Our June 2021 Work: Analyzing Biden Administration Diversity, Discussing Voting Rights on NPR & More
Economic Studies The White House budget & Black communities: Joint Center Workforce Policy Director Dr. Alex Camardelle published an analysis explaining how President Biden’s budget would support Black workers and families, and where it falls short: “To ensure a just recovery for Black communities, we need bold investments. Congressional approval of the Biden budget would be…
Voting Rights Reform Blocked, Biden Supports Sentencing Disparity Fix: June 23 Joint Center Roundup
Biden Administration Biden administration endorses bill to end longtime drug sentencing disparity: President Biden endorsed the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act, or Equal Act, which if passed, “would end the disparity in sentences between crack and powder cocaine offenses.” In 1986, then-Senator Biden crafted the bill that mandated “a five-year minimum sentence for trafficking…
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed, Juneteenth Becomes Federal Holiday: June 17 Joint Center Roundup
Biden Administration Senate confirms Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson: Judge Brown Jackson will serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit after the Senate confirmed her with a 54-44 vote. She is President Joe Biden’s first nominee for the DC Appeals court, which is often a stepping stone to the U.S. Supreme Court. Several organizations…
The Joint Center Commends Senator Scott for Hiring Dominique McKay as Communications Director
McKay is One of Only Three Black Senate Communications Directors WASHINGTON — Today, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies commends U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) for hiring Dominique McKay (pictured right) as communications director in his personal office. McKay is one of three current Black communications directors in the U.S. Senate. Michael Brewer…
Infrastructure, Fair Housing Rules Reinstated, Civil Rights Leaders Meet with Manchin & More: June 9 Joint Center Roundup
Biden Administration Infrastructure negotiations shift: President Biden ends infrastructure negotiations with Senator Shelley Capito (R-WV) and continues the discussion with a bipartisan group of senators who are aiming to release a proposal by the end of the week. President Biden’s decision to move forward came after the “GOP group’s refusal to significantly increase the number of new…
The Joint Center Commends Senator Booker for Hiring Leah Hill as Legislative Director
Hill is One of Only Six Black Senate Legislative Directors WASHINGTON — Today, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies commends U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) for hiring Leah Hill (pictured right) as legislative director in his personal office. Hill is one of six current Black legislative directors in the U.S. Senate. Jasmine Dimitriou (Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)), Josh…