CONYERS Retirement Letter Read By Sheila Jackson Lee

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READ: Rep. John Conyers' full House departure letter

Conyers announces retirement after 53 years of service

After announcing his retirement Tuesday morning, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) submitted a departure letter to the U.S. House.

Conyers, 88, served in the House for more than 50 years. His decision to retire before the end of his term comes amid sexual harassment allegations by several women. He has denied the allegations. 

In his departure letter, which was read Tuesday in the House, Conyers writes he is not being afforded due process in relation to the harassment accusations. He cites his health -- he is currently hospitalized with stress-induced symptoms -- and an effort to preserve his "legacy and good name" as reasons for retirement.

Here is Conyers' full departure letter, as read by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas):

"I came to Congress in 1964. Since then I have devoted my entire career to improving the lives of my constituents in Detroit on the behalf of justice everywhere. These years witness a profound evolution in civil rights led by millions in the street who fought for justice and people of conscience in the Congress, both Democrats and Republicans who heard them and enacted the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and other landmark reforms.

“Given the totality of the circumstance of not being afforded the right of due process, in conjunction with current health conditions and to preserve my legacy and good name, I am retiring. I’ve been in the forefront of the civil rights movement. I’ve been a champion of justice for the oppressed and the disenfranchised. I never wavered in my commitment to justice and democracy. I am proud to have been part of that rich history. I have been privileged to be a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and to represent the United States Congress by being dean.

“I passed, as indicated, the law dealing with the Martin Luther King holiday, the Violence Against Women Act, the Hate Crimes Act, the U.S.A. Freedom and the extension of the Voting Rights Act. I have led the fight against mandatory minimums, hoping to reverse the devastating incarceration rates for African-Americans and poor people. I have tried to pass a universal health care law, H.R. 676.

“Every Congress since 1989, I have introduced H.R. 40 to study reparations for slavery and I deeply appreciate those handful of courageous colleagues who have joined me

“For Detroiters, I’m proud that we have been able to accomplish, to bring hundreds of millions of dollars in critical grants and federal funding for Southeast Michigan to revitalize our great city, attract rich talent and return to us prosperity.

“I recognize that in this present environment, due process will not be afforded to me. I was taught by my great woman, my mother, to honor women. The first employee I ever hired was Mrs. Rosa Parks, who worked in my office for 22 years. It has been my great honor to work alongside some of the most talented and honorable staff on Capitol Hill and in Detroit. I have stated my position on these allegations. I have worked with both women and men.

“I cannot allow the great work of this body to be distracted from their important work or the goals of the Democratic Party to be distracted.”

“Given the totality of the circumstance of not being afforded the right of due process, in conjunction with current health conditions and to preserve my legacy and good name, I am retiring.

“I hope that my retirement will be viewed in the larger perspective of my record of service as I enter a new chapter. I pledge to continue my commitment to a progressive vision and a better future for this country that I love. I owe that to the legacy of my father, John Conyers Sr., who integrated labor unions in this country; to my brother Nathan, who integrated business and he is my main man; and to my wife Monica and to my sons John III, who I believe offers hope to this generation of leadership and who is committed to being an advocate of fairness and justice for all, and Carl Edward, who never leaves my side.

“I cannot allow the great work of this body to be distracted from their important work or the goals of the Democratic Party to be distracted.

“It has been an honor and a privilege of my life to represent the people of Michigan in the House of Representatives, but that responsibility will now fall to my colleagues and my successor. They have my deepest support and prayers.

"Jobs, justice and peace."

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Black lawmakers resentful after Conyers resignation

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus see white politicians being treated differently after facing sexual misconduct allegations.


The stunning fall of Democratic Rep. John Conyers — who resigned Tuesday amid a growing sexual-harassment scandal — has left confusion, anger, resentment and bewilderment inside the ranks of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group that Conyers helped found nearly four decades ago.

 Many CBC members see a double standard at play. They won't say the treatment of Conyers is racist, necessarily — and all express strong support for his alleged victims — but they think white politicians accused of similar misconduct like Blake Farenthold, Al Franken, Roy Moore and Donald Trump get a "benefit of the doubt" that black politicians don't enjoy.

 Some members believe House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other party leaders moved too quickly in calling on Conyers to resign and should have let the process play out more, although they understand the pressure she was facing.

And still another faction thinks Conyers' declining health and mental acuity after more than 52 years in Congress led to the debacle, despite evidence that Conyers allegedly had been harassing female staffers for years.

 There is also significant anger within the CBC, aimed at one of their own: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). Conyers was going to announce his retirement from Congress last Friday.

Then Monica Conyers, the congressman's wife, and Jackson Lee got involved and stopped it from happening, said several Democratic lawmakers and aides.

That decision dragged out the controversy for five days, although the delay ultimately allowed Conyers to endorse his son, John Conyers III, for his seat. Ian Conyers, the congressman's grand-nephew and a Michigan state senator, also may run, setting off an intrafamily battle.

"Certainly it seems as if there is indeed a double standard," said Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), who was involved in Conyers' retirement negotiations last week before Jackson Lee and Monica Conyers derailed them.

"When it happens to one of us, we're guilty until proven innocent. They're just finally starting to talk about Blake Farenthold, who is a member sitting here who paid out $84,000."

 A former Farenthold aide, Lauren Greene, received that settlement payment after filing a lawsuit against the Texas Republican claiming gender discrimination and a hostile workplace, with sexual harassment a key part of that claim.

 “Do I think he was treated like everyone? No, he wasn’t. I think it was an easy call for people to talk about him,” added Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), CBC chairman. “You didn’t see Speaker Ryan calling for the resignation of Blake Farenthold, who settled a case.

Conyers denies it; Franken admits it.” Franken, a Democratic senator from Minnesota, has been accused of inappropriately touching or attempting to forcibly kiss six women. Franken is now under ethics investigation but has refused to resign.

 "It's a horrible situation, and if the allegations are true, then retirement or resignation was appropriate," Richmond added. "The problem for me was I had the congressman vehemently denying it, and I have very credible-sounding victims.”

 "When the deal goes down, John isn't well. He was beginning to suffer memory loss, and physically, he isn't well," said Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), who faced an ethics investigation and lawsuit over sexual harassment five years ago, both of which were later dismissed. "But sure, there are members of the Congressional Black Caucus who feel John was done in. I respect that, but I don't have that feeling."

 Conyers allegedly harassed several former aides, including an ex-staffer who received a $27,000 settlement using taxpayer funds.

After initially seeming to downplay the allegations against him, Pelosi quickly changed course, and by Thursday, she was calling for Conyers to resign. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the highest-ranking black lawmaker in Congress, also called on Conyers to resign, a huge blow to the Michigan Democrat. But Conyers — who had been hospitalized for “stress-related” symptoms — refused to leave office initially, and there were signs he intended to try to fight off an Ethics Committee investigation.

 “Congressman Conyers has served in the Congress for more than five decades, and shaped some of the most consequential legislation of the last half century,” Pelosi said in a statement. “But no matter how great the legacy, it is no license to harass or discriminate.”

 “This was as much about Pelosi’s own politics as it was about Conyers,” said a CBC member, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “I think she was forced into it, and I think it was very unfortunate.”

Pelosi has come under fire for not taking a harder line against Conyers from the start, especially amid a broader push across the country to crack down on sexual harassment and assault.

 Yet Richmond, for his part, doesn’t blame Pelosi. “I don’t think she was unfair to him,” Richmond said. “Part of it was unfortunately he got sick and went in the hospital and couldn’t defend himself.

But only he knows and the victims know what happened. Looking at the amount of victims … it was troubling, and there was no way around it.” Behind the scenes, there was an attempt to end this controversy last week, yet it fell apart under pressure from Monica Conyers and Jackson Lee.

 Conyers announces retirement and taps son as successor Conyers resigns effective immediately, endorses son as successor.

According to lawmakers and aides, Fudge had brokered an arrangement that would save some face for Conyers while removing a big problem for Democrats.

After some delicate negotiations, Fudge was going to read a letter on the House floor last Friday announcing Conyers would retire at the end of December. By calling it “retirement” and not "resignation," the move would give Conyers a “last shred of dignity,” said one source familiar with the discussions.

Conyers would have time to clean out his Capitol Hill and Detroit offices.

In return, Conyers would avoid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee that could lead to censure or expulsion.

 Then Jackson Lee and Monica Conyers weighed in against the deal, and it was taken off the table, dragging out the scandal, said the sources. “People are furious with her,” one CBC member said of Jackson Lee. “Absolutely furious.”

When asked about her interactions with Monica Conyers, Jackson Lee said she “cannot comment on anything involving Mr. Conyers. I am not Mr. Conyers.” Jackson Lee added: “I have not spoken with Mr. Conyers. I have nothing to do with his decision.” Jackson Lee would not discuss any conversation with Monica Conyers, who has emerged as a key player in the saga.

 Monica Conyers was seen by CBC members and Democratic aides as the driving force behind Conyers' refusal to resign.

Some lawmakers even speculate that Monica Conyers was trying to position herself or one of her sons to run for the seat, which is what eventually happened.

Monica Conyers berated reporters staking out the family home in Detroit last week. “Do you all go and stalk other people’s houses?’’ she asked reporters, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Do you go and stalk white people’s houses or just come to the black neighborhoods and stalk our houses?” 

The couple met when Monica Conyers was an aide on his campaign in the late 1980s.

They were married in 1990 and have two children.

She was elected to the Detroit City Council in 2005. In 2009, Monica Conyers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a Detroit sludge-hauling scandal.

As a member of the City Council two years earlier, she cast the deciding vote in favor of awarding a $1.2 billion contract to Synagro Technologies. She ended up serving 27 months in federal prison in West Virginia.

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Statement from CBC Chairman on Meeting with Conyers

WASHINGTON – Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement after his meeting with Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI-13) about the sexual harassment allegations against the most senior member of Congress and his recent decision to resign as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee:

 “Today I met with John and we had a very candid conversation about the seriousness of the allegations against him, which he vehemently denies.

I told him that I agreed with his decision to step down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee at this time.

I also told him that I encourage and expect him to fully cooperate with the ethics investigation.

He said he would.

 “Any decision to resign from office before the ethics investigation is complete is John’s decision to make."

 “The Congressional Black Caucus calls on Congress to treat all members who have been accused of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other crimes with parity, and we call on Congress and the public to afford members with due process as these very serious allegations are investigated.”

 The CBC supports mandatory sexual harassment training for members and staff, as well as proposed changes to the sexual harassment complaint process in Congress. On Monday, November 20, the CBC held a sexual harassment training for CBC chiefs of staff and will hold the same training for CBC members this week.

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CONYERS: CBC, Ranking Members Request Meeting With FBI About "Black Identity Extremists" Assessment

CBC, Ranking Members to FBI: “As you are no doubt aware, the FBI has a troubling history of utilizing its broad investigatory powers to target black citizens.”

WASHINGTON – the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Ranking Members for three House committees requested a meeting with the FBI about its August 3, 2017 intelligence assessment titled, “Black Identity Extremists Likely Motivated to Target Law Enforcement Officers.” In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, CBC Chairman Cedric L. Richmond and Ranking Members John Conyers, Jr. (Judiciary), Bennie G. Thompson (Homeland Security), and Elijah E. Cummings (Oversight) requested to meet about the origins of the assessment and how it will be used, and expressed concern about the assessment given the FBI’s “troubling history” of targeting black citizens, including Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders.

CBC, Ranking Members Request Meeting with FBI About “Black Identity Extremists” Assessment Letter 10-13-201... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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CONYERS: Ahead of Hearing, CBC Sends Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Strongly Opposing Dreiband Nomination

WASHINGTON – On September 6, 2017, the Chairman of the 49-member Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.), and the co-chairs of the CBC Task Force on Civil and Voting Rights, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), made public a letter, below, sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee strongly opposing the nomination of Eric Dreiband to lead the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice.

In addition to lacking experience in several key civil rights areas important to communities of color (e.g. hate crimes, voting rights and police accountability), Dreiband has spent his career fighting against protections from various forms of employment discrimination. In 2007, he testified against bipartisan legislation to prevent long-term pay discrimination against women. In 2010, he testified before Congress against legislation to strengthen protections for millions of older Americans facing age discrimination in the workplace.

The letter and its excerpts, are below.

“Mr. Dreiband’s appointment follows President Trump’s agenda of tapping the fox to guard the henhouse.”

“At best, he has no known experience in the Division’s core issue areas, such as voting rights and hate crimes. At worst, he has devoted the vast majority of his career defending corporations accused of employment discrimination. Mr. Dreiband not only sought to limit the civil rights and remedies of Americans in the courtroom, but has also fought efforts in Congress to strengthen civil rights protections.”

Congressional Black Caucus Letter To Senate Judiciary Opposing Dreiband Appointment To Civil Rights Divisio... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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CONYERS: House Judiciary Democrats Call On Chairman Goodlatte To Hold Hearings On Comey's Firing

Washington, D.C. – Today, all seventeen Democratic Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary sent a letter, below, to Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), urging the Chairman to conduct immediate hearings into the firing of James Comey. 

In their letter, the Members noted the “decision to abruptly fire Mr. Comey not only undermines the Department of Justice’s investigation into Russia’s efforts to influence the recent U.S. elections in possible coordination with the Trump campaign, but also threatens to erode confidence in the Department as a bedrock of independence and integrity within our system of government.”  They asked that the hearings include former FBI Director Comey, Attorney General Sessions, and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and that they be held no later than May 25, 2017.

The House Judiciary Committee has jurisdictional oversight over the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Today’s letter was signed by every Democratic member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, which includes: Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Karen Bass (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL). 

U.S. House Judiciary Democrats Letter Request To Chairman Goodlatte To Hold Hearings On Comey's Firing 5.1... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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CONYERS: Statement From CBC Chairman & Top Judiciary Democrat On White House Voter Fraud Investigation

WASHINGTON – Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-La.), and the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), released the following statement on President Trump’s creation of the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity to investigate voter fraud. Vice President Mike Pence will be the chair of the commission and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will be the vice chair.  

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“President Trump says this commission is an effort to protect voting rights but it is really an effort to suppress and intimidate African-American and other minority voters. Instead of supporting an investigation into fake issues like voter fraud that pose no threat to the country, the Trump Administration should support an investigation into real issues that do – real issues like Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, campaign collusion and cover-up, and voter suppression and intimidation.

“This announcement and the timing of it is no accident; President Trump is, once again, trying to distract us from these real issues. But, as the CBC urged last week, Americans must ‘stay woke’ during this time of fake news and alternative facts. This commission is a waste of taxpayer dollars and government time and will only do what President Trump wants it to do: encourage and empower public officials like Attorney General Sessions and Kansas Secretary of State Kobach who have a history of allowing voter suppression and intimidation.”  

Most cases of so-called voter fraud are the result of clerical and other errors made by lawful voters and election officials. In a 2014 investigation, led by Justin Levitt of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, researchers found 31 instances of voter fraud out of more than one billion votes cast between 2000 and 2014. That is the equivalent to one instance of voter fraud out of every 32 million votes cast.

On January 25, 2017, in a letter to President Trump, Conyers and Richmond urged that if an investigation was going to be completed in regard to President Trump’s voter fraud allegations, that it be completed by a non-partisan independent body and that it also focus on voter suppression in the wake of the 2013 Supreme Court Shelby v. Holder decision.

You can read the President's tweets and the letter here.

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JOINT STATEMENT FROM CBC CHAIRMAN & TOP JUDICIARY DEMOCRAT ON TRUMP ATTEMPT TO WALK BACK HBCU COMMENTS

WASHINGTON – The Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-La.), and the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s attempt to walk back his recent comments on HBCUs. On Friday, while signing a $1.1 trillion omnibus bill, President Trump questioned the constitutionality of HBCU funding.

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Based on President Trump’s record on HBCUs, we think it’s safe to say that he meant what he said on Friday and that last night’s statement, much like the HBCU executive order, meeting, and photo, are just PR.

“He held a meeting with more than 70 HBCU presidents in February and then said after the meeting that they didn’t ask him for anything even though they did. He signed an executive order that moves the HBCU initiative into the White House but does little else. In addition, his budget proposes to give HBCUs the same amount of funding they received last year, even though their operational costs are increasing, and to cut programs like Pell Grants that support students served by these schools.

“Sadly and shamefully, HBCUs, including the schools that President Trump met with, are left to wonder whether he wants to help or hurt them. If President Trump really wants to help HBCUs, he’ll implement the proposals the CBC has suggested to him in several letters (February 27, March 22), including the letter we sent him on April 27 calling for robust funding for a host of programs that support students served by these schools.” 

The $1.1 trillion omnibus bill that President Trump signed on Fridayincluded funding for year-around Pell Grants ($22.5 billion), TRIO ($950 million), and Gear Up ($340 million) and was the result of negotiations by Congressional Republicans and Democrats that began before President Trump took office.

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CONYERS, KILDEE, and LAWRENCE Reintroduces Bill To Stop Emergency Managers: Three Years After Disastrous Flint Water Switch

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Dan Kildee (D-MI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and 17 cosponsors, today reintroduced the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act to address unchecked decision-making powers that appointed emergency financial managers have in financially distressed cities. Last week marks three years since the disastrous water switch that resulted in lead contamination in Flint, Michigan.  

Recently, Congressman Conyers, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond, sent a letter to President Trump questioning the Administration’s commitment to the Flint area in light of proposed budget cuts to EPA and other agencies.

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Three years later, the people of Flint continue to suffer from the misguided and disastrous choices of an emergency financial manager they did not elect to represent them. We cannot undo the damage already done by the lead-poisoned water in Flint or fix the harm already caused by the hazardous conditions in Detroit’s public schools.  But we must continue to stand together and make sure the unaccountable emergency financial managers responsible for these disasters – and the legal system that empowered them – are not permitted to inflict further harm on our citizens or our constitutional rights. I will continue to introduce the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act until its passage. We must ensure that what happened in Flint, will never happen again.” said Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13).

“Our state’s emergency financial manager law has hurt Flint and families throughout Michigan,” Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) said. 

“Unelected emergency financial managers made the decisions that led to the Flint water crisis. Their failed governing philosophy is solely focused on the bottom-line and cutting cost, often at the expense of people. Michigan families and their elected officials – not appointed and unaccountable emergency financial managers – should be in charge in the communities that they live in. This bill will help ensure what happened in Flint does not happen to other communities.”

“The Flint Water Crisis was a man-made disaster, and the people of Flint needed strong and responsible leadership to do their job and work in the best interest of the community they serve.  This never happened.  The people suffered, and they continue to suffer; while the leaders who caused this disaster hold no accountability for their actions.  This is shameful for the state of Michigan and shameful for America. It is imperative that the citizens of this great country are not denied their right to have a government that is elected and accountable.  We need immediate reform of the lack of accountability with emergency financial managers and we simply cannot allow a tragedy like this to ever happen again,” said Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14).

There are many cities in financial distress across our nation still struggling to recover from the Great Recession.  While most states work cooperatively with their cities to foster economic stability and growth, others such as the state of Michigan, use draconian, autocratic laws that usurp local elected officials and replace them with unaccountable political appointees – typically known as emergency financial managers – who, through their vast powers, can jeopardize the health and safety of those who live and work in these struggling cities. 

For example, Atlantic City, New Jersey, which is also in financial distress, is now dealing with similar issues as it struggles under the control of an unaccountable state appointed overseer with powers similar to those available to Michigan’s emergency financial managers.  Last month, that city’s police union filed a lawsuit in response to the state’s announced intention to slash pay and benefit cuts in violation of the police union’s contract, claiming that these “cuts could harm public safety and the state takeover law is unconstitutional because it impairs their contract rights.

Earlier this year, the state also proposed a 25 percent reduction in compensation for that city’s firefighters’ union members.

The Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to withhold five percent of the law enforcement funds that would otherwise be allocated to a state under the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne-JAG) if the Attorney General determines that the state-appointed emergency financial manager fails to protect against the following six abuses: discriminatory impact on voting, conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and abuse of discretion, harm to public health, unilateral rejection of other contracts, and lack of notice to affected communities who cannot provide comment.

The objective of the legislation is not to deny Byrne-JAG grant funds, but rather to incentivize the states to protect their citizens against these risks and abuses when emergency financial managers are appointed.  However, if in the event the funds are withheld, they are directly reallocated to the local government for which an emergency financial manager is appointed. 

The Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act was introduced with support from the following original cosponsors: Representatives Brenda Lawrence (D-MI); Dan Kildee (D-MI); Karen Bass (D-CA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Eddie Bernice  Johnson (D-TX), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

This legislation is identical to H.R. 4754, the “Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act of 2016,” introduced in the 114th Congress and supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), among others.

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CONYERS: Judiciary Policing Strategies Working Group Visits Houston & Holds Press Conference

 Washington, D.C. -- Several members of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group traveled to Houston, Texas to meet with local community leaders and law enforcement to discuss police accountability, aggression towards law enforcement, and public safety concerns related to these issues.

Members of the working group held a press conference on Thursday, April 20 at 12:15 p.m. CT. Details can be found below.

WHO:  Members of Congress

House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.)

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)

Representative Doug Collins (R-Ga.)

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)

Representative Cedric Richmond (D-La.)

WHAT:  Press conference following the conclusion of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group roundtable with community leaders.

WHEN:  Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 12:15 p.m. Media with video equipment can begin setup at 11:45 a.m.

WHERE:   Mickey Leland Federal Building
                    1919 Smith Street

Background on the Working Group: In July 2016, Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers  announced the establishment of a working group to examine police accountability, aggression towards law enforcement, and public safety concerns related to these issues. The bipartisan working group is in the process of holding a series of roundtables to candidly discuss the issues fueling excessive force used by law enforcement and attacks against police officers. Read Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers’ op-ed on the working group in The Hill here.

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CONYERS: Members Hold Forum On Civil Rights Under The Trump Administration

Washington, D.C. – Today, April 6, 2017 at 10:30 AM, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives held a forum entitled, “Civil Rights Under the Trump Administration-The First 100 Days.” 

The 2016 presidential campaign was the most polarizing and divisive in memory, particularly from a civil rights perspective.  Though the Obama administration made notable legislative and enforcement gains in civil rights, with the rise in hate violence, police shootings and legislative backlash at the state and local level, minority communities have been justifiably concerned about the continuing role of the Federal government in protecting their civil rights.  This forum will examine the appointments, polices and orders undertaken in the first 100 days of the Trump administration in order to help foster an agenda for the protection of civil rights.   

WHO:            Members of Congress

·         House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)

·         House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA)

·         Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus

·         House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)

·         Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC)

·         Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

·         Rep. Hank Johnson Jr. (D-GA)

·         Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-RI)

·         Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA)

·         Additional Members of Congress

Panelists

·         Gavin Grimm, plaintiff in transgender rights case,G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board

·         Chief Hassan Aden, Steering Committee, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration and former Chief of Police of the Greenville Police Department

·         Catherine Lhamon, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education

·         Ron Davis, former director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the Department of Justice

·         Chiraag Bains, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Policy Program, former Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

·         Roy Austin, former director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity

·         Joe Rich, Co-Director, Fair Housing & Community Development Project, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

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HOUSE JUDICIARY DEMS & CBC CHAIR CONDEMN GOP EFFORTS TO STRIP AWAY CRITICAL VOTING INFRASTRUCTURE

Washington, DC – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr (D-MI), along with Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and House Judiciary Committee Members Reps. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), today released the following joint statement after the Republican led House Committee on Administration voted on party lines to repeal the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) yesterday:

“Republicans on the House Administration Committee voted yesterday to repeal the Election Assistance Commission, an agency critical to combatting threats to our electoral system and the only federal agency in the United States with a mission of improving the administration of elections.

“It is absurd that Republicans will vote against the creation of an independent commission to investigate Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, but they will spend taxpayer money to strip away critical federal election infrastructure.

“All who care about protecting our democracy must be prepared to fight this reckless attack on the EAC every step of the way.”

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TOP JUDICIARY DEMOCRAT & CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR CRITICIZE TRUMP’S SCOTUS PICK

Washington, DC - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) today released the following statements in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of  Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

Ranking Member Conyers said, “After the Senate Republican Majority committed a dereliction of duty for almost a full calendar year by not granting Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination a hearing or a vote on the Senate floor, the nomination of Neil Gorsuch confirms our worst suspicion – the Republican Majority prefers to abdicate their responsibilities enumerated in the Constitution for partisan gain.”

Conyers continued, “Instead of nominating an even-tempered pick for the Supreme Court like Judge Merrick Garland, President Trump has nominated a right-wing ideologue, butchering yet another opportunity to unite our fractured country. I stand with my colleagues in the House and the Senate who have concerns about Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination and urge Senate Republicans and Democrats to seize this moment to demand that the President nominate someone who can bring our country together.”

Chair Richmond said, “After nearly a year of Senate Republican delay tactics, President Trump has nominated a judge who has been openly hostile to women’s rights and lenient on police brutality to the Supreme Court. Despite the president’s trivial games, this selection has serious consequences for every American. Judge Gorsuch has displayed an inability to be an impartial check to either branch or protect the rights of women and minorities. As a result, I call on my Senate colleagues to oppose Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation and demand a nominee with a record of protecting the rights of all Americans.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

TOP JUDICIARY DEMOCRAT & CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR CALL FOR TRUMP’S VOTER FRAUD INVESTIGATION TO BE COMPLETED BY NONPARTISAN INDEPENDENT PANEL; REQUEST INVESTIGATION INCLUDE VOTER SUPPRESSION

Washington, DC – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) wrote to President Donald Trump to urge that if an investigation must be completed in regards to Trump’s voter fraud allegations, that it be completed by a non-partisan independent body and that the investigation also focus on voter suppression in the wake of the 2013 Supreme Court Shelby v. Holder decision.

In their letter, the Members wrote, “If you insist on conducting an investigation of these issues, we would request that it be performed by an independent and non-partisan body, and that it be fully transparent.  We would also request that the investigation not only consider your claims of voter fraud, but review the ongoing problem of voter suppression and examine the impact of the weakening of the Voting Rights Act following the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013.” 

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“As the only Member in the Congress who was present when the Voting Rights Act was first enacted in 1965, and as a Member who has devoted his entire career to the cause of protecting voting rights, I was shocked to learn that even after taking the oath of office as President, Mr. Trump would choose to spread untruths and misinformation concerning allegations of voter fraud,” said Ranking Member Conyers.  “Repeated investigations have failed to uncover material issues in federal elections. There is, however, evidence of extensive voter suppression practices aimed at minority voters, which is backed up by active litigation.”

“Blood, sweat, and tears have been shed to ensure every voice would be heard in the democratic process,” said Chair Richmond. “Yet, the right to vote has been continually trampled on for the most vulnerable citizens throughout our history. Any investigation into the validity of the voting process should have preventing voter suppression at its core.”

I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal and....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017

even, those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time). Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017

POTUS Letter on VF Allegations - CBCJudiciary by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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HOUSE JUDICIARY DEMOCRATS RENEW CALL FOR HEARINGS ON TRUMP’S CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Washington, DC – All House Judiciary Democrats, led by Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), today renewed their request to have House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) hold hearings to examine the federal conflicts-of-interest and ethics laws that may apply to President Donald Trump.

The members of the committee originally requested a hearing in November 2016, after then President-elect Donald Trump’s vague announcement that he would leave his “…great business in total...” Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. also requested the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan legislative agency operating out of the Library of Congress, to prepare a list of federal ethics and conflict-of-interest rules that may apply to Trump when he assumed office. This list includes four criminal statutes and the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 

Today’s letter was signed by every Democratic member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, including: Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Karen Bass (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

House Judiciary Democrats Second Request For Hearings On Trump's Conflicts Of Iinterest by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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CONYERS STATEMENT ON GRASSLEY TREATMENT OF CBC MEMBERS TESTIFYING AT SESSIONS HEARING TODAY

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to Senator Jeff Sessions’ nomination for U.S. Attorney General. These Members are being required to testify as part of a third joint panel with non-Members of Congress and must sit through the hearing until the panel starts. After calling Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley yesterday, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr., the current longest serving Member of Congress and co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, today issued the following statement in regards to the lack of courtesy typically afforded to Members of Congress who testify at hearings:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“As the Dean of the House, former Committee Chairman and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I reject the lack of comity and respect afforded to my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues who will testify in opposition to Senator Sessions during his confirmation hearing. Booker, Lewis and Richmond are being required to testify with non-Members of Congress, and remain seated during the hearing for an indefinite period of time before offering their testimony during the last panel of the hearing. 

“In the past, both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have had a relationship based upon mutual respect and courtesy. What is set to take place today strongly deviates from the high level of cooperation we’ve always bestowed one another as colleagues in the United States Congress. I urge Chairman Grassley to reconsider the tone he is setting from this moment forward. As very busy Members of Congress with packed schedules, I believe Senator Booker, and Representatives Lewis and Richmond should have been able to provide their testimony on a member-only panel at the start of the hearing.”

Testimony begins at 3:38:24 Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©