There are only two black Republicans in the House of Representatives and one wants to join the Congressional Black Caucus.
But the Congressional Black Caucus is reportedly blocking him from joining their group.
Congressional Black Caucus blocking Black House Republican from joining group https://t.co/RyhO4NfNO9 pic.twitter.com/p5qzQWpXer
— The Hill (@thehill) June 10, 2021
GOP Rep. Byron Donalds Spokesman Says ‘All We’ve Got Is The Cold Shoulder’
The Hill reported on Wednesday that according to a spokesperson for the congressman, “Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and his staff have reached out to members of the CBC multiple times but said ‘all we’ve got is the cold shoulder.”
Fields has claimed that Donalds has spoken to multiple members of the caucus as well, to no avail.
BuzzFeed News reported that a source says that the caucus was blocking Donalds’ membership.
Donalds’ office believes he is being blocked due to being a Republican.
Donalds’ spokesman Harrison Fields said, “The sad reality is although the Congressman and those in the CBC share the same race, the (R) behind his name disqualifies him from membership today.”
A CBC spokesperson would not address the Rep. Donalds issue specifically, but told The Hill in a statement that the group “remains committed to fighting for issues that support Black communities, including the police accountability bill, protecting voting rights, and a jobs bill that helps our communities.”
NEW: The Congressional Black Caucus is blocking Rep. Byron Donalds, a Black Republican from Florida, from joining the caucus. https://t.co/gv15lZXIhq
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) June 9, 2021
CBC: ‘We Will Work With Those Who Share Our Values’
The CBC spokesperson added, “We will work with those who share our values and priorities for the constituents we serve.”
The Hill noted, “Donalds’ office pointed to his bipartisan efforts in Congress and willingness to engage with the caucus. Fields said Donalds had joined the Black Caucus in Florida when he served in the state House and that his ‘intention as a U.S. Congressman is the same.”
The CBC currently has no GOP members but black Republicans have been part of the group in the past.
The other black Republican in the House, Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah, does not want to join the caucus.
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