Civil Rights & Voting Rights Task Force

Chair: Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) 

Official Photo

2328 Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-8351
bobbyscott.house.gov

Oppose Racial and Religious Discrimination

  • Advocate for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the National Security Agency, and other federal agencies to limit bias-based profiling practices among its components and to include data collection and evidence-based research on racial profiling.
  • Encourage the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to address outstanding national and border security loopholes in the Department of Justice’s 2014 profiling guidance.
  • Support legislation, such as the End Racial Profiling Act, that eliminates law enforcement practices of singling out people for heightened scrutiny based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.
  • Require clarification on the collected evidence and research to ensure law enforcement officers rely on evidence-based approaches rather than untested and unproven “hunches” by supporting legislation such as the SAFE Justice Act and the Youth Promise Act.
  • Encourage law enforcement officers to include community-based policing principles such as a representative police force or a police athletic league.
  • Denounce racial and religious discrimination affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), including incidents related to post-9/11 backlash, China-bashing, and xenophobia.
  • Support robust hate crimes and bias-based bullying protections, such as the Safe Schools Improvement Act, and strengthen anti-discrimination policies.
  • Object to committee hearings and other legislative efforts that isolate and target specific religious or ethnic communities, including the American Muslim community, for heightened scrutiny.
  • Support workplace religious freedom legislation and oppose religious discrimination in employment with government funding.
  • Support workplace equality efforts for minorities, such as “ban the box” for employment applications.
  • Support efforts to end faith-based workplace segregation.

Protect Voting Rights

  • Support legislation, such as the Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Voter Empowerment Act, which protects the ability of individuals to exercise the right to vote.
  • Monitor and advocate against voter identification requirement legislation and proof of citizenship bills at the state and federal levels.
  • Support efforts to remove barriers to the voting process along with restoring voting rights to individuals with a conviction.
  • Promote access to ballot language assistance for persons with Limited English Proficiency.

Promote Language Access

  • Support efforts that help prevent discrimination against persons with Limited English Proficiency and ensure these individuals have access to critical governmental services.

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CAPAC Chair Judy Chu's Statement on Trump’s Repackaged Muslim Ban
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Issues: Civil Rights & Voting Rights Task Force
CAPAC Members Celebrate Fred Korematsu Day
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Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements to celebrate Fred Korematsu Day:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

Issues: Civil Rights & Voting Rights Task Force
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Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements condemning comments by supporters of President-elect Trump who cite Japanese American internment camps as a “precedent” for the creation of a Muslim registry:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

Issues: Civil Rights & Voting Rights Task Force
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October 6, 2016
Press Release

Washington, DC – On Monday, Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor aired a segment by Jesse Watters who visited New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood to interview Chinese American voters on the presidential election. The segment repeatedly made Asian Americans the butt of the joke and drew widespread criticism. Rep.

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Washington, D.C. – Today marks four years since the tragic shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, during which a gunman opened fire in a Sikh gurdwara, killing six people and injuring several others. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

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Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

Issues: Civil Rights & Voting Rights Task Force
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