Congressional Black Caucus is 'putting corporate America on notice' as GOP seeks to redraw legislative maps

The Congressional Black Caucus called on more than 250 U.S. corporations to condemn Republican-led redistricting efforts aimed at eliminating majority-Black House districts. The lawmakers described the actions as coordinated efforts to silence Black voices at the ballot box. The request follows earlier corporate support for voting rights, including a 2021 coalition urging passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. The caucus and allies are working to prevent additional states from redrawing maps in ways that dilute Black political representation after a Supreme Court ruling weakened a key Voting Rights Act provision. The caucus framed the appeal as a responsibility for companies that benefit from Black consumers and workers while Black political power is dismantled.

"The Congressional Black Caucus on Tuesday called on major corporations across the U.S., including those that previously expressed support for voting rights and racial justice, to oppose redistricting efforts by Republican-led states that seek to eliminate majority-Black U.S. House districts."

"In a letter sent to more than 250 companies, members of the Black Caucus urge them to condemn the redistricting efforts, which the lawmakers describe as "coordinated efforts to silence Black voices at the ballot box." Some of the companies had cosigned their own message to Congress five years ago urging lawmakers to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a Democratic proposal to restore and update the Voting Rights Act."

"That 2021 coalition, Business for Voting Rights, was backed by many of the country's most valuable and influential companies, including Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Tesla, Salesforce, Target, PayPal, Intel, and Starbucks."

""Corporations that have profited from Black consumers, relied on Black workers, and amassed wealth in part from Black communities cannot look away while Black political power is dismantled in plain sight," Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, chair of the Black Caucus, said in an interview."

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