Congresswoman Beatty Fighting Fiercely for Justice
Prior to the State of the Union Address, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Vice-Chair of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), headlined a briefing entitled "The Fight for Justice" during an emergency convening of the CBC's National Black Leadership Summit on February 4, 2020.
Serving as moderator, Beatty asked the four distinguished panelists to share their insights on mobilizing and creating a movement to overcome the societal and economic roadblocks the Trump Administration has placed on the poor, working families, and communities of color. Panelists included: National Urban League President Marc Morial, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Executive Director Kristen Clarke, Mayor of Rochester (New York) Lovely Warren, National Center for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls Executive Director Andrea James, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18).
"The fight for justice is up to all of us," Beatty said. "A lot is at stake this year, so we must join together to push back against the devastating White House policies that threaten critical social safety programs and the accuracy of the 2020 Census." She continued, "If unchecked, these policies will have a chilling effect on federal funding for healthcare, affordable housing, education, and to feed hungry Americans."
Seated in the standing-room only crowd were 20 constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District who made the day-long trip from Central Ohio on a bus sponsored by Beatty. The group came to Washington, D.C. to join the national call to action and to see first-hand the daily constituent and legislative work happening every day in Beatty's Office.
At the conclusion of the Summit, Beatty went to the House floor to listen to the State of the Union Address. Trump's speech reinforced the need for action outlined during the morning program. "President Trump's State of the Union Address was condescending, full of exaggerations and plenty of rhetoric," Beatty remarked. "Trump's remarks on education were heartbreaking, with so many public school systems desperately needing additional funding. His healthcare promises come at a time when he and Republicans are fighting in court right now to strip protections for pre-existing conditions; and it was President Obama who set in motion our economic recovery and current growth. Finally, he failed to offer any real solutions, but instead pandered and was deeply partisan."