The Conservative Firebrand Calls Race-Based Caucuses “Segregation,” as Democrats Condemn Resolution as Racist
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), has introduced a resolution that would prohibit congressional caucuses organized around race, ethnicity or national origin, potentially forcing the dissolution of the Congressional Black Caucus and several other influential organizations.
The South Carolina Republican’s measure would bar the formation or continued operation of race- and ethnicity-based caucuses in the House of Representatives.
The proposal sparked swift backlash from Democratic leaders, who described it as racist and accused Mace of using the legislation as a political stunt.
If adopted, the resolution would affect the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. It could also reach Republican-affiliated organizations representing Black, Latino and Asian American congressional staff members.
Mace Calls Race-Based Caucuses Segregation
“Race-based caucuses are not diversity. They are federally sanctioned segregation,” Mace said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“You do not get to lecture America about inclusion while running an organization which checks your skin color at the door,” she continued. “The hypocrisy ends now.”
Mace offered similar remarks in a separate statement reported by theGrio, describing the caucuses as “segregation by the legislative branch.”
“Race-based caucuses are not about diversity,” Mace said. “You do not get to lecture America about inclusion while running an organization checking skin color at the door or advocating for Americans of one race over another. It is discrimination under the guise of diversity. Our resolution calls it what it is and shuts it down for good.”
Mace also characterized the organizations as a form of taxpayer-funded discrimination.
Leaders Call Resolution Racist
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng issued a joint response condemning the resolution.
They were joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.
“Nancy Mace rose to infamy for her cheap political stunts, and this is just the latest distraction from her failed primary and complete inability to deliver for her constituents,” the Democratic coalition said, referring to Mace’s unsuccessful campaign for South Carolina governor.
The leaders argued that members of Congress routinely establish caucuses around shared communities, industries, regions and policy concerns.
“Members of Congress have every right to organize around shared policy priorities and the constituencies they serve,” the statement said. “There are dozens of bipartisan congressional caucuses dedicated to ethnic communities, geographic regions, industries, veterans, faith traditions, and countless other interests.”
“Singling out the Congressional Tri-Caucus—which represents nearly half of all Americans—is racist and a shameless attempt to silence the voices of minorities,” the Democrats continued.
The group also rejected Mace’s use of the term segregation.
“We do not need a lecture about what constitutes federally sanctioned segregation—least of all from a member who has repeatedly made racist and bigoted comments about minority communities over the course of her tenure in Congress,” the leaders said.
Congressional Black Caucus Has Civil Rights Roots
The Congressional Black Caucus traces its beginnings to the Democratic Select Committee, which was founded in 1969. It formally adopted the Congressional Black Caucus name in 1971 following the civil rights movement and the election of a record number of Black lawmakers.
Its founding members included Reps. Shirley Chisholm, Bill Clay, George W. Collins, John Conyers, Ron Dellums, Charles Diggs, Augustus Hawkins, Ralph Metcalfe, Parren Mitchell, Robert N.C. Nix Sr., Charles Rangel, Louis Stokes and Washington, D.C., Delegate Walter Fauntroy.
The caucus was created to allow Black members of Congress to coordinate around legislation addressing systemic racism, voting rights, economic inequality and other issues affecting Black Americans.
Today, the CBC has 62 members, its largest membership in history. However, Democratic leaders have warned that the caucus could shrink after the November midterm elections as Republican-led states redraw congressional maps and eliminate or reshape districts that have traditionally elected Black representatives.
“The Congressional Tri-Caucus was formed to address the needs and concerns of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander American communities that are too often ignored in the halls of power,” the Democratic leaders said.
“These caucuses existed long before Nancy Mace arrived in Congress, and will remain long after she fades into irrelevancy.”
Resolution Faces Long Odds
The measure faces steep odds of receiving enough support to pass the Republican-controlled House. It is expected to draw unified opposition from Democrats and could also face resistance from Republicans whose offices or staff participate in race- and ethnicity-based organizations.
Mace entered Congress in 2021 after initially presenting herself as a more moderate Republican and criticizing President Donald Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
She later moved further to the political right and has repeatedly introduced measures targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, transgender participation in women’s sports and birthright citizenship.
The outgoing congresswoman is expected to leave office in January. Fox News reported that it remains unclear whether she will attempt to bring the resolution before the full House for a vote before her term ends.
