Rep. Johnson presents justice reform bills to President Obama during CBC visit to White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House.

Rep. Johnson presented his criminal justice reform bills, including legislation address the over-militarization of local police and grand jury reform, to President Obama, his team and members of the CBC.

It was an honor to discuss my justice reform bills with President Obama at the White House,” said Rep. Johnson. “I spoke about how our young people have lost confidence in the criminal justice system in general. It’s one of the reasons I introduced a bill to reform the grand jury process that would create transparency when local agencies investigate police officer shootings. I also introduced legislation to address the over-militarization of our local police forces. We cannot police our communities with officers looking like an occupying force.”

CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield and other CBC members also discussed a variety of issues including economic security, education, trade, funding for persistent poverty communities – in addition to criminal justice reform.

Education, one of the CBC’s top priorities, especially as it pertains to the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), was also discussed. There are more than 100 HBCUs throughout the country, and Johnson and the CBC want them to be centers for excellence for many generations to come.

Another of the CBC’s top concerns and most continued discussions is that of the nation’s economic recovery. There is no question that the country’s economy is improving, but for too many Americans, especially for people of color, the recovery has not reached their household. Black America continues to be in a state of emergency, and it’s up to members of the CBC to continue to make the case for a faster recovery for low-income families.

Cutline: Rep. Hank Johnson stands with fellow CBC members outside the White House this week after members of Caucus – known as the Conscience of Congress – met with President Obama to discuss a range of issues, including criminal justice reform, jobs and education.

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