Nevada’s Horsford Named Next Congressional Black Caucus Chair

WASHINGTON — Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., has been elected to be the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Horsford has represented Nevada’s 4th Congressional District since 2019, and previously held the position from 2013 to 2015.

Prior to coming to Washington, Horsford served in the Nevada State Senate, from 2005 to 2012, and was the first African American to serve as that chamber’s majority leader.

With his election in 2013, he was also the first African American to represent Nevada in Congress.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 118th Congress,” Hosford said via Twitter. “Our work as the ‘conscience of the Congress’ will be as important as ever, as we advocate for economic prosperity, voting rights and protecting our democracy.”

Horsford is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, the Problem Solvers Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the House Pro-Choice Caucus.

Also securing leadership positions within the Congressional Black Caucus this week were Reps. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., who will serve as first vice-chair, Troy Carter, D-La., who will be second vice-chair, Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., the new caucus whip, and Lucy McBath, D-Ga., who will serve as secretary.

In a written statement, outgoing Black Congressional Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, said it was the honor of her career to serve as the ninth woman to lead the group.

“As the 117th Congress draws to a close and I pass the baton to this dynamic group of dedicated leaders, I am confident our power and our message is in capable hands,” she said.

In a separate statement, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., echoed Horsford, saying he believes “these talented leaders will help ensure that the Congressional Black Caucus continues to serve as the ‘conscience of Congress’ long into the future.”

“Recently, I have been proud to work closely with the CBC to pass key legislation that supports Black-owned small businesses, helps ensure that all children have equal access to a quality education, creates economic opportunities for Black workers and their families, and improves all Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care,” Hoyer said. 

“​Together, we have also enacted policies to help build a better America — one where everyone can receive equal justice under law, participate fully in our democracy, and live without fear of prejudice and discrimination. That work will continue in the 118th Congress, and I look forward to continuing to coordinate with the CBC to advance this critical mission,” he added.

New Dem Chair Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said she and her fellow caucus members are “incredibly proud” of Horsford and his latest career achievement.

“Rep. Horsford is a dedicated and active member of our coalition who has been key to passing policies focused on improving the lives of the American people,” DelBene said.

 “As a member of our NDC Health Care Task Force and Inflation Working Group, Rep. Horsford has worked with New Dems on the issues Americans care about most from improving Americans’ access to quality health care, to tackling rising prices and keeping our communities safe,” she said. 

“As a result, New Dems endorsed Rep. Horsford’s House-passed Break the Cycle of Violence Act earlier this year to invest in effective community-based violence reduction initiatives and break cycles of violence that disproportionately impact young people of color.

“We also congratulate fellow New Dem members Troy Carter, Lucy McBath and Marilyn Strickland on their elections to CBC leadership as second vice-chair, secretary and whip, respectively,” DelBene said, adding, “New Dems look forward to continuing our work with Chairman Horsford and Reps. Carter, McBath and Strickland on our shared priorities in the next Congress and growing our partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus.”

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