The incoming Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are coming under pressure to pass bills wanted by the minority groups that provide a substantial part of their support:
Democratic leaders will face pressure from minority voters to pass legislation during the next two years on many issues that have stalled in Congress, particularly those designed to close racial disparities.
Voters will expect swift results from House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader-elect Harry Reid of Nevada on legislation to balance the budget, fix Social Security and the Medicare prescription-drug program and reform immigration.
But there are other, older issues that minorities and civil rights groups have fought for years to get passed with few results. A lack of progress on those issues could reflect poorly on Democrats in the run-up to the 2008 presidential election.
For example:
The top lobbyist for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said two of the priorities are raising the minimum wage and extending a new version of the Ryan White Act, which provides funding for research and treatment for HIV/AIDS patients.
“That bill must be dealt with very quickly, and we are working to get it done this month,” said Hilary Shelton, NAACP-D.C. bureau director. “The problem is that while the bill did increase funding for rural and suburban communities, the formula hurt cities, and it isn’t like the problem with HIV in cities is any less.”
Mr. Shelton said laws setting a federal standard for appropriate use of force by police and punishments for racial profiling are also priorities, especially in light of a shooting of three unarmed men by New York police on Nov. 25. One of the men, Sean Bell, 23, died.
Universal health care, particularly for children “born and unborn” is also a top issue for the NAACP, as well as a measure to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.
And then, of course, there’s the biggest minority group of all, millionaire farmers:
[Rep. G.K. Butterfield, North Carolina Democrat] aid the farm bill also should be written, and not be delayed until 2008 or beyond, as some suggest. He said the nation must extend subsidy-support prices for American farmers facing a tough competition from foreign entities.
Sigh.
