P-16 Race Representatives: Why Black Members of Congress Matter

The primary goal of this research is to use the concept of race representation to better understand the legislative behavior of Black members of Congress and to suggest that descriptive representation allows for Black political inclusion. My research examines 200 bills sponsored by six Black members of Congress during the Ninety-third Congress. This research emphasizes the importance of Black members of Congress to Blacks nationwide by highlighting the Congressional Black Caucus’ purpose, examining the bills’ policy issues for racial significance, in consultation with a variety of secondary source material that underscores the importance of descriptive representation for the Black community