Federal Policy Priorities
Our Policy Priorities
America cannot truly progress until all Americans have equal and equitable access, and this can only be done by keeping Black people at the top of every agenda. We're pushing for policy that enhances the life of Black Americans such as:
- Addressing high housing costs
- Ensuring connectivity for broadband internet
- Ensuring equitable federal tax policy
- Prioritizing reproductive justice and health
- Guaranteed health care for all
- Increasing financial aid for higher education
- Prioritizing a green economy for Black entrepreneurs
- Ensuring and protecting the right to vote
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Opportunities for All
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives are essential in creating a fair and just society where every individual has equal opportunities regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Maintaining and strengthening DEIB initiatives is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the social and economic health of our nation.
Economic Empowerment
Address High Housing Costs
Policies must be implemented to make housing more affordable and accessible and hold accountable discriminatory practices. This includes increasing the availability of affordable housing units, providing rental assistance, and ensuring fair housing practices.
Cancel Student Debt
Canceling student loan debt provides critical support to low- and moderate-income Americans, offering immediate relief during times of national emergency. Loan forgiveness has provided much-needed relief to millions of Americans burdened by student loans, marking significant progress towards economic equity and financial stability.
Access to Capital
An inclusive economy means everyone can contribute and earn with fair access to resources and opportunities for Black people. The NAACP advocates for federal oversight of how monies are distributed to Black communities, fights to make federal, state, and municipal dollars available to Black communities, and advocates for more funding to MDIs, CDFIs, and HUD for programs that increase economic revitalization in Black communities.
Ensure Connectivity
Access to reliable and affordable broadband internet is essential in today's digital age, yet significant disparities persist, disproportionately affecting Black and historically excluded communities. Expanding broadband connectivity is crucial for equitable access to education, healthcare, and employment.
Implement a Federal Minimum Wage
A federal minimum wage starting at $20.00/hour, indexed for inflation, is essential for lifting millions out of poverty and advancing wage equity. The minimum wage for all federal contractor staff should also be increased to $20.00/hour immediately, without a phase-in period, ensuring that no federal contract workers are left behind.
Federal Tax Policy
Equitable Federal Tax Policy
Corporate America has begun lobbying Congress in favor of extending these tax cuts which are set to expire at the end of 2025. It is essential that tax reform be structured so that large corporations and wealthy Americans pay their fair share of taxes which means a higher tax rate than the one enacted with the TCJA rate.
Restore Tax Expansions
Expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifted millions of children above the poverty line. During the 6-month period of full refundability, Black child poverty decreased from 16.9% in 2020 to 8.1% in 2021. Congress must restore the tax expansions that provided support for children, families and workers who continue to experience discrimination and financial hardships.
Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
Approximately 16 million low-wage workers saw their incomes increase which assisted in lifting them above the poverty line. The Earned Income Tax Credit (ETIC) expansion in the ARP provided an essential wage boost for millions of low-wage workers by raising the maximum credit amount.
Incorporate Inclusive Economic Growth
Any and all tax reform policies include more inclusive economic growth by providing additional financial security and opportunity that narrows the ever-widening racial wealth gap by boosting economic mobility and security.
Health & Wellbeing
Prioritize Reproductive Justice and Health
Access to comprehensive reproductive health services, including contraception, family planning, and safe abortion services, is a fundamental right. Policies should ensure that all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to affordable and quality reproductive health care.
Food Security for All
Federal assistance should be increased, and eligibility requirements streamlined to ensure access to nutritious, affordable food in households, schools, and institutional facilities. Cuts from programs such as WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and other critical food assistance programs would disproportionately affect marginalized populations, making it harder for them to access the food they need to thrive.
Expand Medicaid
Medicaid expansion would extend coverage to millions more who are currently uninsured, reducing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Furthermore, expanding Medicaid strengthens the healthcare system by providing more consistent funding to hospitals and clinics serving low-income populations, ensuring they can continue to offer critical services.
Guarantee Health Care for All
The NAACP calls for a universal healthcare system that ensures affordable, accessible, safe, high-quality, and social and culturally fluent care for all, regardless of coverage, employment, financial, or immigration status.
Education
Protect and Expand the Teaching of Black History
Black history is an integral part of American history, and understanding the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans is essential for fostering a comprehensive and accurate understanding of our nation's past. We must ensure that all students have access to a truthful and inclusive curriculum that reflects the diversity of our society and promotes analytical thinking.
Increase Higher Education Financial Aid
Expanding financial aid resources and prioritizing debt-free solutions for African-American students attending HBCUs, Minority Serving Institutions, colleges, universities, junior colleges, and technical/trade schools is essential for increasing educational opportunities and closing the achievement gap. We support doubling the federal Pell Grant award and indexing the maximum award for inflation as the cost of education continues to rise. Pell Grant eligibility needs to be expanded to allow more students access to this program as they navigate the cost and challenges of higher education.
Environmental & Climate Justice
Prioritize Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurs in the Green Economy
The shift away from fossil fuels must be systemic and equitable, ensuring communities of color are central to designing the new energy economy. The Environmental Justice Interagency Directive should be expanded to ensure racial justice includes equitable resource distribution
Permanent Moratoria on Energy Shut-Offs
Energy shut-offs should be permanently prohibited to protect low-income households. The electrical grid should transition to a publicly-owned model, limiting private ownership to community microgrids and residential/commercial rooftops.
Voting Rights and Election Reform
Reform, Ensure and Protect the Right to Vote
Comprehensive reforms like automatic and same-day voter registration, making Election Day a federal holiday, and enhancing election security would significantly increase voter participation among Black communities. Additionally, preventing partisan gerrymandering, protecting against voter intimidation and suppression, and establishing national standards for mail-in and early voting ensure equitable access to the ballot for Black voters.
Meet Our Experts
Patrice Willoughby
Chief, Policy and Legislative Affairs
Cedric Haynes
Vice President, Policy and Legislative Affairs
