releases: https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/senator-lott-does-the-right-thing-and-steps-down-as-majority-leader
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/senator-lott-does-the-right-thing-and-steps-down-as-majority-leader | Senator Lott Does the Right Thing and Steps Down as Majority Leader | 2002-12-20 | 2002 | 2002-12 | Democrat | House | CA | Barbara Lee | L000551 | lee.house.gov | legacy | 12.20.02 Senator Lott Does the Right Thing and Steps Down as Majority Leader Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee today said that Senator Trent Lott did the right thing by stepping down today as Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate after Lott's offensive remarks at the December 5th birthday party for Senator Strom Thurmond. Lee said that now the Republican Party has the unique opportunity to prove that they do not support discriminatory policies that most affect African-Americans and people of color."I am very glad to see Senator Lott leave his position as Majority Leader," said Lee. "We shouldn't have to tolerate such backwards viewpoints from any legislator, much less the leader of the U.S. Senate." Lott's legislative positions have earned him an "F" on the NAACP's legislative report card. As a Congressman and a Senator, Lott has voted against affirmative action programs, opposed extensions of the historic Voting Rights Act, and opposed the creation of Martin Luther King Day. Lee welcomed Lott's resignation, but she encouraged the Republican Party to embrace policies that will end discrimination, which unfortunately is still alive and well in America. Lee noted how Republican economic policies had benefited the wealthiest 1% of Americans at the expense of middle- and lower-income taxpayers, many of whom are African-Americans and minorities. Other economic policies have led to a 10.6% unemployment rate for African-Americans, while only 4.9% of white Americans are unemployed. Lee hoped that the exposure of Lott's opinions on race has opened the possibility for a broader discussion of the disparities that divide Americans. "The issue of equal opportunity, fairness, and justice must be addressed," she said. "Now is the time that the Republican Party must stop discriminating against African-Americans and other people of color through their policies and funding priorities. Now is the time to end the racial divide." ### Next Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |