Black Lawmakers Plan Walkout During Holder Contempt Vote

The Congressional Black Caucus is planning to walk out of tomorrow’s contempt vote against Attorney General Eric Holder, Politico’s Jonathan Allen reports
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/06/black-lawmakers-plan-walkout-during-contempt-vote-127484.html

“We call upon all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation’s most significant priority – creating jobs,” members of the CBC write in the letter Politico obtained. “At this critically important time in our nation, we must work as colleagues rather than political enemies.”

Civil rights leaders said yesterday that the contempt proceedings against Holder (over documents related to the botched ATF operation known as Fast and Furious) was actually about stopping Holder from enforcing civil rights laws.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/black-lawmakers-plan-walkout-during-holder-contempt-vote

Black lawmakers plan walkout during contempt vote
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/06/black-lawmakers-plan-walkout-during-contempt-vote-127484.html

Black Lawmakers Plot 'Walkout Strategy' During Holder Contempt Vote
http://influencealley.nationaljournal.com/2012/06/black-lawmakers-plot-walkout-s.php

The Congressional Black Caucus has called a members-only "emergency" meeting on Thursday to plot a "walkout strategy" ahead of the scheduled contempt vote of Attorney General Eric Holder later in the day.

The plans, detailed in an email from the executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus obtained by the Alley, include circulating a letter disapproving of the vote and having lawmakers walk out of the Capitol to hold a press conference during the roll call.

The letter, a draft of which is being circulated for signatures, accuses the GOP leadership of "rushing recklessly to a contempt vote." The letter is being circulated among the Black, Hispanic, Asian and Progressive caucuses, among other.

"We cannot and will not participate in a vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt," says the letter, in which the signers urge that "all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation's most significant priority--creating jobs."

Black caucus to stage walkout during Holder contempt vote in House
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/235229-black-caucus-to-stage-walkout-during-holder-contempt-vote-in-house

(snip)
The CBC is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday to discuss the details of the walkout and is planning to circulate a letter to House Democrats requesting that they join them on the Capitol steps for a press conference during the contempt vote.

The move comes less than 24 hours before the House plans to vote for the first time in history to hold a sitting attorney general in contempt of Congress for not complying with a congressional subpoena. Holder is the first black attorney general in U.S. history.

The walkout is reminiscent of a similar move made by Republicans in 2008 during a Democratic-led vote on whether to hold two senior staffers in President George W. Bush’s administration in contempt of Congress.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) — then the minority leader — led the walkout with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) following closely behind him. Issa, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is the sponsor of the contempt resolution against Holder.

CNN: Congressional Black Caucus plans walk out of Holder contempt vote
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/27/congressional-black-caucus-plans-walk-out-of-holder-contempt-vote/

A senior Democratic aide told CNN that in addition to the Black Caucus, which includes over 40 members, the Hispanic Caucus, the Asian-Pacific American Caucus, and the Progressive Caucus may also participate. It's unclear whether any Democratic leaders will join in the boycott

The number three House Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, is a member of the Black Caucus. The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Elijah Cummings, who is expected to lead floor debate against holding Holder in contempt, is also a senior member of the CBC. There was no word Wednesday whether Cummings would participate.

Democrats preparing to boycott the contempt vote plan to stage a news conference on the Capitol steps - as the House is voting - to call on House Republican leaders to focus on creating jobs.