Senate

Derrick Johnson. A Black man wears a blue stripped suit, maroon tie and white shirt. He holds a black microphone.
Shani Saxon  May 16, 2019 5:15PM EDT

NAACP Opposes Federal Judicial Nominee, Senate Confirms Her Anyway

The Senate confirmed U.S District Court contender Wendy Vitter’s nomination, despite what the NAACP calls her  “offensive” refusal to embrace the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.
A Puerto Rican flag hangs from a black-shuttered window set in a bright blue exterior wall
Ayana Byrd  Apr 2, 2019 2:01PM EDT

Senate Rejects Bill That Would Send Relief Money to Puerto Rico

Democrats say the bill’s aid package is another sign of Republican disregard for the island.
A one-level light brick and mint green house sits on a green lawn with a blue sky and green trees around it
Ayana Byrd  Feb 13, 2019 12:29PM EST

People of Color Benefit From New Public Lands Protection Bill

With bipartisan support, the Senate passed a measure that includes provisions aimed at Indigenous and African Americans. 
Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Black man and woman dressed in black suits lean close and talk.
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 20, 2018 11:11AM EST

Watch the U.S. Senate Finally Vote to Make Lynching a Federal Hate Crime

It’s 2018, y’all.
Five incarcerated people in orange jumpsuits are locked in a cell. There is an American flag hanging above the cell.
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 19, 2018 4:52PM EST

Civil Rights Orgs Cautiously Optimistic About Senate Vote on FIRST STEP Act

Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: “This bipartisan bill offers some important improvements to the current federal system, but it falls short of providing the meaningful change that is required.”
Stage with brown wood laminate podium, red, white and blue sign on it reads "Cindy Hyde-Smith for United States Senate." Three American flags on poles behind it.
Kenrya Rankin  Nov 28, 2018 1:46PM EST

Mississippi Sends Cindy Hyde-Smith Back to Senate

She did little to conceal her racism while running against her Black opponent, former Representative Mike Espy.
A demonstrator holds up a red, black and white poster that reads "Nope."
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 6, 2018 3:58PM EDT

Senate Votes to Place Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court

Activists disrupted the proceedings as Vice President Mike Pence called for the vote.
Cory Booker. Black man with bald head close to the camera.
Kenrya Rankin  Sep 6, 2018 1:15AM EDT

Cory Booker Risks It All During Brett Kavanaugh SCOTUS Nom Hearing

The New Jersey senator released confidential files, saying his act of “civil disobedience” is necessary so that Americans can know Kavanaugh’s views on race and what is at stake during the hearing.
Brett Kavanaugh. White man's face takes up half the frame.
Kenrya Rankin  Sep 4, 2018 11:39AM EDT

WATCH: Brett Kavanaugh's Live Senate Hearing

NAACP President Derrick Johnson: “His views on voting rights, affirmative action, equal employment, fair housing and criminal justice could shut the courthouse door on justice for a generation.”
Neon sign reads "bail bonds."
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 25, 2018 4:38PM EDT

Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill to Dismantle Money Bail System

Bill supporter Color of Change: “When taxpayers foot the bill for needlessly locking up poor people before trial, the government is essentially subsidizing a racist, unnecessary and outright dangerous industry.”
A Black man stands looking up at wooden beams suspended from the ceiling
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 2, 2018 11:30AM EDT

ICYMI: 3 Black Senators Seek to Make Lynching a Federal Crime

Senator Kamala Harris: “Lynching is a dark, despicable part of our history, and we must acknowledge that, lest we repeat it.”
Brown woman with large pregnant belly sits, photo is in black and white
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 26, 2018 1:51PM EDT

Senate Debates Bill That Could Save The Lives of Black Mamas

Watch as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions holds a hearing on the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2017.
Miriam Zoila Pérez  Jan 30, 2018 11:37AM EST

Senate Rejects Ban on Abortions After 20 Weeks

“This vote served as a useless exercise to unsuccessfully undermine the rights of pregnant individuals.”
Beyoncé in yellow, holding a bat
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 15, 2017 10:48AM EST

A Trump Supporter Said Black Folks Voted Illegally in Alabama. They Clapped Back, Hilariously.

Sigh.
U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones, wearing a suit, sits at a table with a Black man in a fisherman's hat, a Black woman in a black wool hat and a Black man wearing a black and black khaki striped shirt
LaTosha Brown  Dec 14, 2017 10:15AM EST

Black Alabamans Appreciate Your Thanks. Now Give Us the Power.

Doug Jones won the special senate election in Alabama because Black folks used our own homegrown tools that we have been building and refining for many years. It’s past time to substantially invest in Black political organizing infrastructure in the South.
Black woman takes selfie with Doug Jones
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 12, 2017 11:04PM EST

#TrustBlackWomen: Voter Appreciation Edition

Black women were the deciding factor in keeping a racist, homophobic, alleged predator out of the Senate.
Woman wears "Trump" pin and "Judge Roy Moore U.S. Senate" sticker
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 12, 2017 10:55AM EST

WATCH: Why Roy Moore's Racism, Homophobia and Alleged Sexual Relations With Teenagers Should Bar Him From Congress

Moore wants to represent Alabama in the United States Senate. Democracy Now! breaks down the Republican candidate’s record.
A shadow is cast of a cell door
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 5, 2017 2:47PM EDT

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Bill

Senator Cory Booker: “The mass incarceration explosion of the last 40 years has … disproportionately affected communities of color and the poor and devalued the very idea of justice in America.”
People marching, carrying a sheet painted with the words, "Fight for DACA and immigrants."
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 3, 2017 12:13PM EDT

WATCH: Senate Hearing on Trump Administration's Decision to End DACA

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary is hearing arguments for and against ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Kamala Harris talking
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 20, 2017 5:26PM EDT

Senator Kamala Harris Introduces Bipartisan Money Bail Reform Bill

“We must come together to reform a bail system that is discriminatory, wasteful and fails to keep our communities safe.”