Newsmax reported that one of the first acts of the new Democrat-dominated Congress, according to a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, would be to establish the race-based office.
“We know that the diversity in our ranks is a strength and a reflection of the American people,” Pelosi wrote.
Pelosi is hoping to win the race for House speaker, and the racial issue has been a priority for the Congressional Black Caucus as well as most Democrats. According to Democrats it would “reflect the results of the midterm election that swept more female and minority representatives into office,” Newsmax noted.
The House Diversity Initiative calls for creating a permanent office in the House with sufficient staff to help recruit and retain diverse employees to work in Congress, a Pelosi aide commented.
Ideologically-minded people, known as “diversity professionals” will partner with outside institutions to attract such employees and provide training to help existing non-white employees advance their careers.
Pelosi called members of the “tri-caucus” — the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — “a vital resource”.
