Should Congress Hold Hearings on White Supremacy?

What’s the story?

Congress is on recess, but many lawmakers have weighed in on the recent white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville as well as the president’s various responses. However, so far only one congressional committee has scheduled any discussion on the threat of white supremacist groups when both Houses return in early September.

Why does it matter?

According to Politico, GOP leaders have yet to lean on their colleagues to schedule hearings in the fall, a key way that Congress indicates focus and intention to wrestle with important issues:

"Speaker Paul Ryan’s office deferred questions on potential congressional action to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and would not say whether the speaker believes action is warranted. McCarthy has been out of the country but intends to discuss the matter with panel chairmen. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office indicated that it’s up to individual committee chairs to set their own hearing schedule.”

The House Homeland Security Committee has included the topic of white supremacist extremism in a list of "global threats" they plan to discuss at a hearing in September. Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) argues, however that it’s “‘not enough’ to simply talk about it for a few minutes as part of a massive “global threats” hearing that’s traditionally scheduled for right after recess.”

Upon returning in early September lawmakers may schedule hearings, but GOP aides say it's "too early to tell whether Congress should get involved."

What do you think?

Should Congress get involved? Should congressional committee hearings be scheduled to discuss the rise of white supremacist organizations and threats of domestic terrorism?

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: US Customs and Border Patrol via Flickr / Creative Commons)