February 2, 2024
James Clyburn Emphasizes Voting Importance In Black History Month Address
Clyburn ties celebrating Black History to voting for the.Biden-Harris ticket.
For Black History Month, Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) reminds voters why celebrating history is more important than ever during an election year.
The iconic lawmaker released a statement via press release as the co-chair for the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, pushing the importance of exercising your right to vote. “Black History Month offers us an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and contributions of the Black Americans who continue to play significant roles in our nation’s pursuit of ‘a more perfect union,’” Clyburn wrote.
“It was the genius of Lewis Latimer that made Thomas Edison’s light bulb work as intended, and in 2020, it was Black America’s mobilization that helped send Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House.”
Clyburn, who has served in Congress since 2011, has been a pivotal asset in campaigns for President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden. Highlighting the strides Biden and Harris have made in their first term, the South Carolina leader is prepared to continue making history. “Exercising our power at the ballot box has produced good fruit, including the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, a record-breaking number of Black women to the federal appellate court, and appointing the most diverse Cabinet in American history, including the first African American to serve as Secretary of Defense,” Clyburn said.
With a second term in the air for Biden, the seasoned congressman is making strides to ensure Black voters understand what is at stake in November 2024 — considering the number of Black voters still on the fence.
According to Politico, during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Clyburn said he was “very concerned” about the President’s reputation with Black voters. He knows the President is doing all he can, but the concern is MAGA’s hold on the country. “I have no problem with the Biden administration and what it has done,” Clyburn said. “My problem is that we have not been able to break through that MAGA wall in order to get to people exactly what this president has done.”
From affordable healthcare to HBCU funding, James Clyburn continues to shine a light on the positive decisions made by the Biden White House. “The Biden-Harris administration has ushered in a 50-year low for Black unemployment,” he continued in his letter. “Health insurance premiums and the cost of prescription drugs are down for millions of Americans, over $7 billion has been invested in HBCUs, and – despite Republicans’ efforts to the contrary– over $136 billion in student loan debt has already been forgiven.”
Regardless of what polls indicate, Clyburn doesn’t believe that polls are a “true reflection of where voters are.” He shared that he hopes the Biden-Harris Administration can carry on beyond 2024. “As we celebrate Black History Month, we should remember: the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of Jim Crow were decided by just one vote,” he ended with. “The power is in our hands to choose freedom and prosperity over chaos and vitriol.”
RELATED CONTENT: Rep. James Clyburn ‘Very Concerned’ About Black Support Of Joe Biden