Congressional Black Caucus Splits Over 1994 Crime Bill

The Congressional Black Caucus voted 26 to 11 in favor of the 1994 Crime Bill, reflecting genuine division over a measure offering both new police funding and violence against women protections alongside harsh mandatory minimums. Rep. Maxine Waters and Rep. John Lewis voted against; Rep. Kweisi Mfume and Rep. John Conyers voted for. Members opposed to mass incarceration found themselves facing constituents demanding more policing in crime-ravaged communities.