Moving the Needle on Capitol Hill

Posted on December 22, 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, the NAACP has launched a series of blogs, "10 Reasons to be a Part of NAACP", reflecting on our work this year and the year ahead. Each day, we'll feature a new blog on our social networks. View the entire "10 Reasons" series, and donate to the NAACP here.


Since 1941, the NAACP’s Washington Bureau has been the hub of the organization’s federal advocacy. Now in its 70th year, the Washington Bureau has achieved numerous Congressional victories that have moved the needle on America’s civil rights agenda, and has established itself as the preeminent civil rights entity on Capitol Hill.

As racial tensions persisted through the 1940s and 50s, many looked to the NAACP for leadership and action – and the organization answered the call. Led by lobbyist Clarence M. Mitchell Jr., the Washington Bureau helped advance the integration of the armed forces in 1948, the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964, & 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. From military to public forums to voting booths, these pieces of legislation made equality more achievable and conditions more equitable.

As minority groups – people of color, young people, elderly, etc. – have recently experienced a rollback on many of the civil rights victories achieved in the 50s and 60s, the Washington Bureau has continued the inspired fight to achieve equity for all Americans. This year, the NAACP-endorsed End Racial Profiling Act was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. The bill takes clear steps at stopping the practice of racial profiling, a discriminatory tactic employed by law enforcement against people of color. If passed, the bill would create a national definition of racial profiling, allocate money for law enforcement training, and strictly enforce requirements and guidelines. Currently, the Bureau is making a push for the enactment of the End Racial Profiling Act before the close of 2011.
In addition to the End Racial Profiling Act, several other issues loom at the forefront of the legislative agenda in 2012. In light of the unjust execution of Troy Davis, the NAACP will take steps toward ending the death penalty in the United States for good. The coordinated attacks on voting rights will be a legislative focus, with Attorney General Eric Holder already taking note. The Clean Air Act also has the potential to create significant noise on the climate justice landscape.

As we move into 2012, the new year offers potential for even bigger victories on Capitol Hill. Help us achieve these Congressional victories - donate to the NAACP today.