Congressman Steven Horsford speaks to supporters before Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris takes the stage at Doolittle Park Tuesday Oct. 26, 2020, for a voter mobilization visit before election day.
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Long before Steven Horsford was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, he operated a culinary training academy that helped thousands of Las Vegas-area workers land employment in the hospitality industry.
Many of those who went through the program were minorities, as Horsford took pride in helping bring diverse workers to Nevada’s largest sector. He ran the academy for more than 10 years, and said more than 80% of graduates were placed in good-paying jobs.
He’s continuing to help pave the way for diversity in Congress, serving as a liaison between the Congressional Black Caucus and President Joe Biden’s administration to lobby for Black representation throughout the administration, especially the 15 executive department Cabinet positions.
“We need to fill (the positions) with diversity that represents our country,” said Horsford, who is the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus’ first 100 days task force.
The group made recommendations to Biden’s transition team on potential hires, but only after a thorough process that included interviews and reviewing qualifications. They started with a list of about 100 names and whittled it down to the best of the best, Horsford said.
The task force will continue to work closely with the White House administration during Biden’s initial 100 days, as there are thousands of positions that need to be filled — and not just filled by anyone.
The Congressional Black Caucus identifies positions in the administration important to Black communities and suggests a strong Black candidate who is committed to racial equality, Horsford said. There are 57 Black members of the House.
“Personnel is policy. Who you pick to lead these agencies ultimately determines the policy that they will advocate for on behalf of the American people,” said Horsford, who was the first Black to serve as the Nevada Senate majority leader and the first Black Nevadan in Congress.
Retired four-star Gen. Lloyd Austin, who won Senate confirmation Friday, is the first Black secretary of defense. The Congressional Black Caucus felt so strongly about Austin’s qualifications — in a four-decade career he led strategy in the fight against the Islamic State, and also led U.S. Central Command — that it sent a letter to the Biden transition team in his support.
The historic confirmation comes at the right time considering 40% of service members are of color, Horsford said.
“First and foremost, it’s his experience and qualifications. That’s 40 years of experience,” he said.
Austin is also the right fit for Horsford’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, the Nevada Test and Training Range, and the Hawthorne Army Depot. Horsford was able to speak with Austin last week about the needs of Nevada’s military members, including mental health and civilian control.
Biden’s Cabinet is positioned to have at least two other Blacks with Marcia Fudge, a congresswoman from Ohio nominated as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Michael Regan as the nominee to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Cabinet nominees also include a Latina in Isabel Guzman as administrator of the Small Business Administration, and Pete Buttigieg as secretary of transportation. Buttigieg is gay.
It’s a far cry from former President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, which was mostly white and initially had just one Black in Ben Carson as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, Trump nominated the most appeals court judges since President Jimmy Carter, yet none were Black, according to a report from Brookings Institution.
The Congressional Black Caucus also advocates to fill sub-agency positions, judges and other jobs in the administration with diverse representation.
Horsford said a nominee such as Fudge for Housing and Urban Development could be impactful for Nevada as it emerges from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, as legislation is needed for affordable housing and mortgage protection. Having Regan heading the EPA could help shrink the inequalities gap that Black communities face with everything from clean water to exposure to pollutants. Regan would be the first Black male to head the EPA.
“There are unique challenges that (minority) communities face. That’s why I am supportive for pushing for candidates for the administration who understand those challenges,” Horsford said.
Horsford said he was pleased with how the Biden transition team assembled its Cabinet and other spots, including bringing on Nevada state Sen. Yvanna Cancela for a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She will help with lowering prescription drug prices and COVID vaccine distribution as a “Nevadan with a key position in a key role,” Horsford said.
Horsford said there was a new feeling in Washington with the Biden administration in charge. Yet, there’s much to accomplish, such as crushing the pandemic, reopening schools and rebuilding the economy, he said.
“I’m confident in the stable experience and leadership (of Biden and his team) to unify our country and tackle the issues we face,” Horsford said.
