Congressional Caucuses Urge Corporate America to Defend Voting Rights and Equal Representation

Today, the chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), and New Democrat Coalition (NDC) released the following statement urging Corporate America to reaffirm its commitment to voting rights, equal representation, and the democratic principles it has previously pledged to uphold:

"Our Caucuses stand united in support of the Congressional Black Caucus's call for Corporate America to publicly defend voting rights, equal representation, and the democratic principles that form the foundation of our nation.

"In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, Republican-led legislatures and governors across the South have moved swiftly to redraw congressional maps ahead of the November election in a deliberate effort to dilute Black voting strength, weaken Black representation, and roll back decades of hard-won civil rights progress secured through the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"The consequences of this democratic erosion extend far beyond politics. When communities are denied meaningful representation in government, they are also denied a voice in decisions that shape their daily lives-from economic opportunity, healthcare, and education to environmental protections, public safety, and overall quality of life.

"For decades, corporations have benefited from the talent, labor, innovation, and purchasing power of Black communities. Following the racial justice movement of recent years, more than 200 corporations publicly affirmed their commitment to racial equity, civic participation, and democratic values. Those commitments must not be reserved for moments of convenience-they must endure when they are tested.

"At this critical moment, silence is not leadership. Corporations that have publicly championed democracy, racial equity, and civic participation have a responsibility to demonstrate that those commitments remain meaningful through both their words and their actions.

"In Congress, we remain committed to protecting every eligible American's fundamental right to vote and to have their voice heard. We call on Corporate America to stand on the side of democracy by opposing efforts that undermine fair representation and by ensuring that its political engagement, investments, and public actions reflect the values it has pledged to uphold."

Signed,

Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), CBC

Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), CHC

Chair Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC

Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC

Chair Greg Casar (TX-35), CPC

Chair Mark Takano (CA-39), CEC

Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10), NDC

Background

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Chairwoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued a letter urging Corporate America to defend our nation's democratic principles and publicly reaffirm its commitment to voting rights and equal representation amid growing attacks on fair representation and Black political and economic power in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

Five years ago, more than 200 companies and business organizations publicly declared in a letter to Congress that democracy and equal access to the ballot box were fundamental American values. In that letter, businesses across the United States called for strengthening the Voting Rights Act to "prevent voting discrimination" and ensure that "voters of color who remain the targets of voter suppression have equal and unfettered access to the democratic process."

As reported in The New York Times, the act was, at the time, "the biggest show of solidarity" by the business community to push back against Republican efforts to enact new election rules in almost every state.

The Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to those companies-and to additional corporate leaders nationwide-calling on them to reaffirm their stated commitment to democracy, voting rights, and fair representation.