NAACP Releases Civil Rights Federal Legislative Scorecard

111TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION

On Wednesday, February 3 the NAACP released its annual Congressional Legislative Report Card, an evaluation of the voting records of Congressional members on NAACP agenda issues. The NAACP has graded the U.S. Congress on the “bread and butter” civil rights agenda since 1914. The report card provides a non-partisan assessment of the first session of the 111th Congress, and is designed to provide NAACP members with insight into the general voting patterns of congressional representatives and state delegations

So how do our Legislators from Tennessee measure up in voting for the NAACP's  initiatives?

Senators

Alexander                          38% - F

Corker                              43% - F

Representatives

Roe                                   28% - F

Duncan                             20% - F

Wamp                               28% - F

Davis                                76% - C

Cooper                             92% - A

Gordon                             84% - B

Blackburn                         12% - F

Tanner                              80% - B

Cohen                              100% - A

For the full report card on Tennessee Legislators CLICK HERE

For the Complete Report for ALL States CLICK HERE

Photos from the TN NAACP Legislative Day on the Hill 2009

Hilary Sheldon Addresses Senator Harry Reid's Comment

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has come under intense scrutiny recently because of comments made during President Obama's campaign. The quotes are just not coming out because of a new book being release called "Game Changed" that is filled with quotes from Senator Reid, President Obama, and others during the Obama Campaign. The book was written by Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.

Senator Reid's comment stated that President Obama could be successful as a black candidate because his "light skinned appearance and his ability to speak "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." Many have claimed this comment as offensive. Senator Reid released the following apology:

"I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments.

"I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda"

 He also called the President directly on Saturday to apologize. To which President Obama had this to say publicly:

"I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."

 Many are interested in what the NAACP has to say about Senator Reid's comments. Senior Vice President for Advocacy Hilary Shelton appeared on Fox News yesterday (1/12/10) morning and was quoted as saying, "Harry Reid is someone who has always scored an “A” on the NAACP’s legislative report card. He has provided great leadership on a host of issues that are important to our communities."

Watch the full video below of VP Hilary Shelton on Fox News

What are your thoughts about the comments?

NAACP-SUPPORTED LEGISLATION TO CREATE A NEW CONSUMER MORTGAGE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES PROTECTION AGENCY PASSES U.S. HOUSE

On December 11, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act by a margin of 223 yeas to 202 nays. This legislation would overhaul federal regulation of the American financial services industry, including create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) which would be charged with overseeing consumer protection in the home mortgages and financial services areas, it would strengthen investor protections and it would establish and monitor national mortgage standards. 

Our current system of consumer protection fails to protect American families from some of the most basic economic abuses that can unnecessarily cost households hundreds of thousands of dollars, and even their homes. This has been especially devastating for specific communities: for decades racial and ethnic minority and others have been targeted by unscrupulous mortgage lenders and others. As a result, many African American, Latino, and American Indian families as well as senior citizens were sold risky, high-cost mortgages when they might well have qualified for safer, less costly conventional loans. For African-American and Latino families, this has lead to the current economic and foreclosure crisis which represents the greatest loss of wealth in history. 

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