The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will enter the 119th session of Congress with a historic 62 members, marking the largest number of Black federal lawmakers in U.S. history. In total, 67 Black lawmakers will serve, with five Republican members declining to join the caucus. However, this historic milestone comes against the backdrop of a new Trump administration that has signaled sharp policy shifts, including an almost entirely white Cabinet and the implementation of the anti-minority Project 2025.

The CBC, established in 1971 to advocate for Black and marginalized communities, now represents 120 million Americans, including 41% of Black Americans. Yet its leaders face a steep challenge under a Trump administration openly pursuing policies that could roll back decades of progress in civil rights, healthcare access, and economic equity.

"We've always been the conscience of Congress, no matter who's in charge," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., a senior CBC member and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "But now we have a larger choir of leaders ready to call truth to power, ensuring the voices of the voiceless are heard. This administration poses a danger, and we're here to counter that."

Project 2025 and the Challenge Ahead

President-elect Donald Trump's administration is advancing Project 2025, a policy blueprint critics say is designed to dismantle protections for marginalized communities while consolidating power among white conservatives. The plan includes:

• Eliminating the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.
• Granting police broad immunity in unarmed citizens cases.
• Reversing diversity and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies.

In addition to these policy threats, Trump's Cabinet appointments include figures like Dr. Mehmet Oz, tapped to oversee Medicaid and Medicare, and Linda McMahon, his pick for Secretary of Education, raising alarms about the administration's priorities. The nearly all-white leadership team underscores a stark contrast to the growing diversity in Congress.

"It will be interesting to see how this administration interacts with a record number of Black lawmakers," said Niccara Campbell Wallace, executive director of the Rolling Sea Action Fund. "The CBC's growth means there are more voices to push back, to advocate for policies that reflect the reality of a diverse America."

Historic Firsts in Representation

While the Trump administration doubles down on policies many see as anti-minority, the new Congress will also usher in a wave of historic firsts. Two Black women will serve simultaneously in the U.S. Senate for the first time. Delaware's Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland's Angela Alsobrooks join a small but growing list of Black women elected to the Senate, doubling the total from two to four.

Blunt Rochester, the first woman and Black person to represent Delaware in the Senate, reflected on her groundbreaking victory. "This is a historic step forward for our state and our nation," she said.

Alsobrooks, a former Prince George's County executive, highlighted the broader significance of her win. "In over 2,000 people who have served in the U.S. Senate, only three have looked like me," she said. "I stand here because of the sacrifices of those who came before me."

Oregon's Janelle Bynum also made history, flipping the state's 5th Congressional District to become its first Black member of Congress. Bynum, who unseated a Republican incumbent, noted, "It's not lost on me that I'm one generation removed from segregation. We believed in a vision and didn't stop until we accomplished our goals."

Delaware voters made further history by electing Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress. These victories occurred even as the country faced deep divisions over affirmative action, LGBTQ rights, and racial equity.

The Role of the CBC

The CBC's role as the conscience of Congress will be tested as it confronts an administration bent on undoing civil rights gains. Meeks emphasized that the caucus would oppose policies that disproportionately harm Black and marginalized communities, from healthcare access to police reform.

"Instead of just a quartet, we now have a full choir," Meeks said. "And we will be loud, clear, and consistent."

With Republicans maintaining control of both chambers of Congress, the CBC's ability to influence legislation will likely depend on its capacity to build coalitions and galvanize public support. Wallace noted that the CBC's growth, even in a Republican-controlled Congress, is a testament to Black voters and communities' enduring belief in American ideals.

"Black Americans have always believed in the promise of what America can be," Wallace said. "Even when the odds are stacked against us, we continue to fight for a seat at the table."

Looking Ahead

As the CBC prepares for its largest-ever session, its leaders are already looking to the future. Meeks said the caucus plans to spend the next two years opposing harmful policies and laying the groundwork for the 2026 midterm elections.

"Two years go by fast," he said. "We'll be working every day to reverse the tragedies this administration will bring to our communities and the country as a whole."

Blunt Rochester added, "We've come a long way, but our work is far from over. Together, we will continue to fight for the future America deserves."

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