Congressional Black Caucus applauds Biden’s death row clemency

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has applauded President Biden for commuting the federal death sentences of 37 inmates, even as some Democrats have condemned the president’s actions. 

The CBC has advocated against the use of capital punishment at the federal level, in part because of the racial disparities in its employment, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), outgoing chair of the caucus, and incoming Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said in a statement on Monday.

“The death penalty in America is a fundamentally flawed and error prone tool that has historically been disproportionately used against Black people and other people of color,” the group said. 

With his actions, the CBC continued, Biden showed “a commitment to addressing systemic racism within the criminal justice system” and is helping set “a moral example for our nation.”

Members within the CBC had been pressing Biden to pardon numerous individuals over the last few weeks, particularly after his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. 

Despite President Biden granting clemency to some 1,500 individuals earlier this month, some, like Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), had urged Biden to commute the death sentence for the men who were on federal death row. 

Pressley, who has led efforts for years to abolish the federal death penalty, commended Biden for his historic steps on Monday. 

“There is no action more powerful or righteous than sparing someone’s life, and today President Biden is doing just that,” Pressley said in a statement. 

“The death penalty is a racist, flawed, and fundamentally unjust punishment that has no place in any society. For far too long, it has been disproportionately weaponized against Black and brown communities, exacerbated systemic inequities, and failed to make America any safer — which is why we’ve urged the president for years to work with us to abolish the federal death penalty,” she added. 

Research has also long shown Black Americans disproportionately face more severe sentencing compared to their white counterparts. A five-year analysis from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, released last year, found that Black men received sentences roughly 13 percent longer than white men, and Black men and women were both less likely than white Americans to receive probation. Hispanic Americans were similarly disproportionately affected. 

Many other Black leaders applauded Biden’s actions Monday. 

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said Biden’s actions demonstrate that he is “a man of faith, courage, and principle.”

"The cases of the 37 men whose lives have been spared manifest all the profound flaws that inevitably mar the death penalty, including significant racial disparities," Morial said, noting that Black Americans are seven times more likely to be falsely convicted of serious crimes compared to white Americans. 

“As long as the death penalty remains in use, we risk executing innocent people,” he added. 

Despite praise from Black leaders and civil rights groups, some have condemned Biden for his actions. 

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) said that though he has concerns about the use of the death penalty, he believes courts should have "autonomy."

Republicans, meanwhile, have lambasted Biden for the commutations. 

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) accused Biden and Democrats of siding with “depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency.”

Despite the criticism, the CBC is urging Biden to do more.

“We are calling for President Biden to expand on this work in the coming weeks by pursuing additional clemency and pardon actions under his authority,” the caucus said.