The New York Times is calling the highly-respected Congressional Black Caucus to task over what it considers to be questionable fundraising methods and spending habits.
The CBC, comprised of only African American members of Congress, describes its goals as “positively influencing the course of events pertinent to African Americans and others of similar experience and situation,” and “achieving greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services.”
The Times however, has uncovered information that makes it appear as if the group has lost sight of its stated objective and puts more energy into self-aggrandizment than its mission. The paper says the CBC’s activities have gone largely unpoliced, leading to contradictory corporate relationships, exploitation of funding loopholes and frivolous spending that exceeds the amounts given to those groups or causes it says it’s advocating for.
An excerpt from the report reads:
The caucus says its nonprofit groups are intended to help disadvantaged African Americans by providing scholarships and internships to students, researching policy and holding seminars on topics like healthy living.
But the bulk of the money has been spent on elaborate conventions that have become a high point of the Washington social season, as well as the headquarters building, golf outings by members of Congress and an annual visit to a Mississippi casino resort.
…the caucus has had to fend off criticism of ties to companies whose business is seen by some as detrimental to its black constituents.
These include cigarette companies, Internet poker operators, beer brewers and the rent-to-own industry, which has become a particular focus of consumer advocates for its practice of charging high monthly fees for appliances, televisions and computers. (Read more here.)
According to the paper, CBC leaders said the giving had not influenced them in the least:
“We’re unbossed and unbought,” Representative Barbara Lee, Democrat of California and chairwoman of the caucus, rebutted. “Historically, we’ve been known as the conscience of the Congress, and we’re the ones bringing up issues that often go unnoticed or just aren’t on the table.”
Part of the CBC’s funding is through taxpayer dollars; visit the group’s website to draw your own conclusions about the veracity of the Times’ claims. –gerald radford
