Washington, DC – Today, bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Marietta) received the endorsement of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), led by Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06). The Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act, H.R. 1636, establishes a bipartisan commission within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to study the societal forces that have a disproportionately impacted black males in America.

“We have the power, as lawmakers, to find ways to support our young men and identify solutions to the hardships they regularly experience,” said McBath. “What we must learn through these initiatives is what we can do as a country to uplift the black men and boys in our communities. I am honored to serve as a co-chair of the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Caucus and to work with my New Dem colleagues to push this legislation further.”

McBath has been a member of the New Democrat Coalition since January 2019 and serves as co-chair of the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Caucus.

"In addition to improving our law enforcement system, we need broader and more substantial action to address the systemic injustices that disadvantage Black Americans,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer. “That’s why the New Democrat Coalition endorsed this bipartisan proposal led by New Dem Member Lucy McBath and the Congressional Black Caucus to establish a commission on the Social Status of Black Men & Boys at the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This Commission would examine social disparities that disproportionately affect Black men and boys and propose even more solutions that the federal government can take action on right now."  

The bipartisan commission, made up of lawmakers and experts, will examine such issues as mortality and homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, fatherhood, mentorship, drug abuse, disparate income and wealth levels, school performance at various grade levels, and health. The commission is required to produce an annual report of recommendations and solutions that will be submitted to the president and cabinet secretaries, Congress, the chairs of the appropriate committees of jurisdiction, and the public.