Congressional Black Caucus has blunt response to Trump: 'We have a lot to lose'

Updated

President Donald Trump often appealed to black voters during the campaign by asking "What do you have to lose?"

On Wednesday, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) tried to answer that question when they visited the White House to meet with Trump.

Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond led a handful of members, all Democrats, to the meeting. They came armed with an answer to Trump's campaign trail line -- a 130-page book bluntly titled "We Have a Lot to Lose."

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The publication, backed by all members of the CBC, detailed some of the key issues impacting the black community, including economic justice, criminal justice, education, health care and voting rights.

"African Americans have a great deal to lose under the Trump Administration and we have lost a lot already in a little more than the first 50 days," the report reads.

The 130 pages include a slew of policy proposals and legislation, much of which at odds with what Trump has backed But Richmond told reporters after the meeting that it went well.

"There were many areas where we disagreed with the policy solutions, but it was a meeting where both sides listened and where we were candid about disagreements," Richmond said.

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CBC members and Trump disagreed on many issues but agreed on others, including investing in infrastructure.

As the meeting started, the president reiterated his commitment to serving the black community.

"Throughout my campaign, I pledged to focus on improving conditions for African American citizens," he said. "This means more to me than anybody would understand or know."

"Every American child has a right to grow up in a safe community, to attend great schools, to graduate with access to high-paying jobs."

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