SCOOP. Speaker Johnson Considering Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Resolution
Black Republicans want to rename the House Press Gallery after the abolitionist icon.
House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed to Capitol Press on Thursday afternoon that he and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) have discussed the latter’s bipartisan resolution to rename the House Daily Press Gallery after abolitionist icon Frederick Douglass. “Yeah, maybe so,” Johnson replied when asked if he would bring the resolution to the floor for a vote.
“By renaming the U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery after him, this hallowed body will pay due respect to a man who devoted his life to bettering America through his righteous, fearless, and intrepid fight to end slavery,” Donalds told Semafor’s Kadia Goba on Nov. 7, 2023
Since Donalds introduced his resolution, Capitol Press has asked nearly four dozen House members where they stand on renaming the Press Gallery after Douglass. None have expressed opposition to the obscure proposal, while members from both sides of the political aisle have offered broad support for Douglass's legacy.
HAKEEM. “Frederick Douglass is an amazing American figure and hero,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in November. “I haven’t seen the specifics of the resolution, but obviously I support his legacy, and anything that elevates that that legacy is an important step.”
AYANNA. “It’s fantastic,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) when asked about the effort to honor Douglass by renaming the press gallery.
BOWMAN. “Absolutely, 100%,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). “There is African American history that was a part of building this place and making it what it is, so I absolutely support honoring that.”
MTG. “Yeah, of course,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) when asked if she’d support Donalds’ resolution.
GOSAR. “He was a very fine orator,” said Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) of Douglass when asked about the resolution.
“A legend known in the House Press Gallery”
In 1871, Douglass and his son were the first-ever Black press credentialed to cover Congress as members of the Daily Press Gallery. As editor and publisher of the New National Era, Douglass covered the House and Senate until the newspaper went out of business and its equipment was publicly auctioned in 1875. Seventy-two years would go by before Percival Prattis, Louis Lautier, and Alice Dunnigan were the next Black reporters credentialed to cover the Capitol, in 1947. The Standing Committee of Correspondents commemorated Douglass’ press pass in 2007 with a placard that hangs outside the House chamber. Last year, I put up an oil painting of Douglass above the Associated Press workspace in the same room.
"LIBERTY IS MEANINGLESS WHERE THE RIGHT TO UTTER ONE'S THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS HAS CEASED TO EXIST. THAT, OF ALL RIGHTS, IS THE DREAD OF TYRANTS. IT IS THE RIGHT WHICH THEY FIRST STRIKE DOWN." — Frederick Douglass quote inscribed on the House Daily Press Gallery placard.
COSPONSORS. Twelve cosponsors have signed onto the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery resolution, including all four Black Republicans in the House: Donalds, Burgess Owen (UT), John James (MI), and Wesley Hunt (TX), plus Freedom Caucus members Deb Lesko (AZ) and Cory Mills (FL). On the Democratic side, Reps. Shiela Jackson Lee (TX), Andre Carson (IN), and former Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (MA) have also signed on as co-sponsors.
UPDATE: Rep Byron Donalds told me this afternoon that he is confident that his resolution would thrive as a standalone on the House floor, but doesn't want to get ahead of the Speaker's office on the matter.