Newly Elected Republicans Welcomed in CBC

What’s the deal with Tim Scott.

Rep.-elect Allen West (R-FL) has announced his intention to join the CBC as one of two new Black Republicans elected this year; but, Rep.-elect Tim Scott (R-SC) has opted to reject the invitation which is open to all incoming African American Members of Congress.

As expected, the 42-Member Congressional Black Caucus elected Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO) as its Chair for the upcoming 112th Congress which starts in January.  The vote was by acclamation and confirmed Cleaver’s new role as the 22^nd Chair of the CBC, which was founded in 1969. Currently, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) serves as the Chair of the CBC for the 111^th Congress and will maintain that role until January 2011.