Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris were appointed Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee, becoming the first African-American members of the panel since the 1990s.
Harris, the second African-American woman elected to the Senate, also becomes the second black woman to sit on the committee after Carol Moseley Braun, who served during the 1990s.
Thrilled to share that I’ve been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee,” the California Democrat tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “You have my commitment that I will fight for justice on behalf of Californians and all Americans.”
Meanwhile, Booker will be the first-ever black male to serve on the powerful committee.
“It’ll be my mission to check awful actions by Trump & Sessions; keep working to advance the cause of reforming our broken justice system; and to bend the arc of history closer toward equal justice for all,” the New Jersey senator tweeted after the appointments were announced.
Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric L. Richmond, who pressed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to appoint a CBC member to the committee after Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced his intent to resign late last year, lauded the decision.
“Today, Senator Booker and Senator Harris, two great attorneys who are committed to 21st century criminal justice reform, were appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, becoming the second and third African-Americans to serve on the committee in its 200-plus-year history,” the Louisiana Democrat said. “The Congressional Black Caucus could not be more proud of both of our Senate members and know the experience and expertise they bring to the committee will be beneficial for all Americans, especially those disproportionately targeted by the criminal justice system.”