Culver City Rep. Bass Meets With Trump To Talk About What Black Communities 'Have To Lose'

CULVER CITY, CA — Rep. Karen Bass was among six members of the Congressional Black Caucus Executive Committee meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House Wednesday, discussing various issues pertaining to the black community.

"This was an opportunity to both express concerns about things the president has said in his remarks about the black community, but also a time to see if there are areas of agreement where there are real solutions that can be put forward," said Bass, D-Culver City, the second vice- chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Bass emphasized the importance of reducing recidivism rates nationwide and the need to "be smarter on crime and to be smarter on re-entry."

The committee members presented Trump with a 130-page policy document titled "We Have A Lot To Lose: Solutions to Advance Black Families in the 21st Century."

The title is a response to Trump's comments during the campaign that the black community should support him because "What do you have to lose?”

Trump voiced his desire to work with the caucus to improve educational and economic opportunities, enhance public safety, reduce the cost of prescription drugs and invest in infrastructure.

We're going to have a lot of meetings over the years," Trump told the group, which also included Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, the House assistant Democratic leader.

"Throughout my campaign I pledged to focus on improving conditions for African-American citizens. This means more to me than anybody can understand."

Trump pledged to institute "a very, very strong bidding process," to bring down the costs of prescription drugs.

City News Service; Photo: WASHINGTON – Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Executive Committee, as well as Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, met with President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and advisers in the administration to talk about issues affecting the African American community and why the administration should follow the CBC’s lead if it’s serious about addressing these issues (photo courtesy of the office of Rep. Karen Bass)