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Karen Bass

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Karen Bass
Official portrait, 2022
43rd Mayor of Los Angeles
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 12, 2022
Preceded byEric Garcetti
26th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021
Preceded byCedric Richmond
Succeeded byJoyce Beatty
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California
In office
January 3, 2011 – December 9, 2022
Preceded byDiane Watson
Succeeded bySydney Kamlager-Dove
Constituency33rd district (2011–2013)
37th district (2013–2022)
67th Speaker of the California State Assembly
In office
May 13, 2008 – March 1, 2010
Preceded byFabian Núñez
Succeeded byJohn Pérez
Majority Leader of the California Assembly
In office
December 4, 2006 – May 13, 2008
Preceded byDario Frommer
Succeeded byAlberto Torrico
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 47th district
In office
December 6, 2004 – November 30, 2010
Preceded byHerb Wesson
Succeeded byHolly Mitchell
Personal details
Born
Karen Ruth Bass

(1953-10-03) October 3, 1953 (age 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Jesus Lechuga
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1986)​
Children5, including 4 stepchildren
ResidenceGetty House
Education

Karen Ruth Bass (/ˈbæs/; born October 3, 1953) is an American politician, social worker and former physician assistant who has served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles since 2022.[1] A member of the Democratic Party, Bass previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022 and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as speaker during her final Assembly term.

A Los Angeles native, Bass attended college at California State University, Dominguez Hills and the University of Southern California. She spent her career as a physician assistant and community activist before seeking public office. Before her election to Congress, Bass represented the 47th district in the California State Assembly for six years. In 2008, she was elected to serve as the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly, becoming the first African-American woman in United States history to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body.[2][3]

Bass was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. She represented California's 33rd congressional district during her first term, though redistricting moved her to the 37th district in 2012. She chaired the Congressional Black Caucus during the 116th Congress.[4][5][6]

Bass won the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, beginning her term on December 12.[7] She is the first woman to serve as mayor of Los Angeles[8] and the second Black person to serve after Tom Bradley.[9][10] During her early tenure as mayor, she made major announcements about facilitating affordable housing construction to alleviate the Los Angeles housing crisis, but ultimately reversed herself and imposed restrictions on affordable housing construction in the city.[11][12]

Early life and education

[edit]

Bass was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Wilhelmina (née Duckett) and DeWitt Talmadge Bass.[13] Her father was a postal letter carrier and her mother was a homemaker.[14] She was raised in the Venice and Fairfax neighborhoods of Los Angeles and graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1971.[15]

Witnessing the civil rights movement on television with her father as a child sparked her interest in community activism. While in middle school, Bass began volunteering for Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign.[16] In the mid-1970s she was an organizer for the Venceremos Brigade, a pro-Cuban group that organized trips by Americans to Cuba.[17] She visited Cuba eight times in the 1970s.[17][18]

She went on to study philosophy at San Diego State University from 1971 to 1973, and graduated from the USC Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program in 1982. She then earned a bachelor of science degree in health sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1990.[19][20] She also received her master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2015.

Community Coalition and the crack cocaine epidemic

[edit]

In the 1980s, she worked as an emergency medicine physician assistant and a clinical instructor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC Physician Assistant Program.[19][21] In the late 1980s, Bass and other local community organizers founded Community Coalition.[20][22]

California State Assembly

[edit]

In 2004, Bass was elected to represent California's 47th Assembly district. At her inauguration, she became the only African-American woman serving in the state legislature.[23] She was reelected in 2006 and 2008 before her term limit expired. Bass served the cities and communities of Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, View Park-Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little Ethiopia and portions of Koreatown and South Los Angeles.[24]

Speaker Fabian Núñez appointed Bass California State Assembly majority whip for the 2005–06 legislative session and majority floor leader for the 2007–08 legislative session.[2] During her term as majority whip, Bass was vice chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. As vice chair, she commissioned the first ever "State of Black California" report.[25][26]

Speakership

[edit]

Núñez termed out of the Assembly at the end of the 2007–08 session, leaving Bass as the next-highest-ranking Democrat in the Assembly. After consolidating the support of a majority of legislators, including some who had previously been planning to run for the speakership themselves, Bass was elected speaker on February 28, 2008, and sworn in on May 13, 2008.[27]

As speaker, Bass promoted numerous laws to improve the state's child welfare system.[28] During her first year, she ushered through expansion of Healthy Families Insurance Coverage to prevent children from going without health insurance and worked to eliminate bureaucratic impediments to the certification of small businesses. She also secured more than $2.3 million to help revitalize the historic Vision Theater in Los Angeles and more than $600 million for Los Angeles Unified School District.[29] Bass worked with the governor and initiated the California Commission on the 21st-Century Economy to reform California's tax code. She also fought to repeal the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.[30]

California budget crisis (2008–2010)

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Bass became speaker during a period of severe economic turmoil.[31] Negotiations over a spending plan to address a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall began the day Bass was sworn in.[31] She was part of the negotiations that resulted in a comprehensive deal to close most of a $42 billion shortfall.[32]

In June 2009, Bass drew criticism from conservative commentators for statements she made during an interview with Los Angeles Times reporter Patt Morrison in response to a question about how conservative talk radio affected the Assembly's efforts to pass a state budget.[33] Referencing the condemnation from conservative talk radio hosts that three Republicans experienced after they voted for a Democrat-sponsored plan to create revenue by raising taxes,[33] Bass described the pressures Republican lawmakers face:

The Republicans were essentially threatened and terrorized against voting for revenue. Now [some] are facing recalls. They operate under a terrorist threat: "You vote for revenue and your career is over." I don't know why we allow that kind of terrorism to exist. I guess it's about free speech, but it's extremely unfair.[34]

Bass, Dave Cogdill, Darrell Steinberg, and Michael Villines received the 2010 Profile in Courage Award for their leadership in the budget negotiations and their efforts to address the severe financial crisis.[32]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2010

[edit]
Karen Bass with Diane Watson on the day Bass announced she would run for Congress in 2010
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 33

In 2010, Representative Diane Watson retired from Congress and encouraged Bass to run for her seat. Bass was ineligible to run for reelection to the State Assembly in 2010 due to California's term limits so on February 18, 2010, Bass confirmed her candidacy to represent California's 33rd congressional district.[35]

Bass raised $932,281.19 and spent $768,918.65. Her 2010 campaign contributions came from diverse groups, with none donating more than 15% of her total campaign funds. The five major donors to her campaign were labor unions, with $101,950; financial institutions, with $90,350; health professionals, with $87,900; the entertainment industry, with $52,400; and lawyers and law firms, with $48,650.[36]

Bass won the election with over 86% of the vote on November 2, 2010.[37]

2012

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See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 37

In redistricting following the 2010 census, the district was renumbered from 33rd to 37th. In 2012 she had no primary opponent and won the general election with 86% of the vote.[14] She raised $692,988.53 and spent $803,966.15, leaving $52,384.92 on hand and a debt of $3,297.59.[36]

Bass was involved in President Barack Obama's reelection campaign. She played a leadership role in the California African Americans for Obama organization and served on Obama's national African American Leadership Council. Bass had also served as a co-chair of African Americans for Obama in California during the 2008 presidential campaign.[38]

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 37

Bass was reelected to a third term with 84.3% of the vote.[39]

2016

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See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 37
Bass speaking in support of DREAMers in December 2017

Bass was reelected to a fourth term with 81.1% of the vote.[39] She endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2015. On August 3, 2016, Bass launched a petition to have then-candidate Donald Trump psychologically evaluated, suggesting that he exhibited symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The petition was signed by 37,218 supporters.[40] She did not attend President Trump's inauguration after conducting a poll on Twitter.[41]

2018

[edit]
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 37

Fueled by Trump's election and in an effort to channel Angelenos' political frustrations, Bass created the Sea Change Leadership PAC to activate, educate, and mobilize voters. She won her primary with 89.18% of the vote and was reelected to a fifth term with 88.2% of the vote.[39]

Bass with Eric Garcetti, Antonio Villaraigosa and Pete Buttigieg at the Martin Luther King Jr. station in Los Angeles, July 8, 2022

House speakership speculation

[edit]

After the 2018 elections, Democrats regained the majority in the House of Representatives. Representative Seth Moulton and others who felt the current leadership was "too old" gathered signatures to replace Nancy Pelosi as the Democrats' leader. Bass was their first choice for leader,[42][43] but she rejected the offer, supporting Pelosi for speaker.[42] On November 28, 2018, Pelosi won the speakership on a 203-to-32 vote.[43]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

[edit]
  • Congressional Black Caucus (chair; 2019–2021)[45]
  • Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, Founder and Co-Chair[46]
  • Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA)[47]
  • American Sikh Congressional Caucus
  • Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus[48]
  • Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE)
  • Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys
  • Congressional Creative Rights Caucus
  • Congressional Diabetes Caucus
  • Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus
  • Congressional Ethiopia Caucus
  • Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus
  • Congressional International Conservation Caucus[49]
  • Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
  • Congressional Library of Congress Caucus
  • Congressional Military Mental Health Caucus
  • Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus
  • Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus[50]
  • Congressional Social Work Caucus
  • Congressional Valley Fever Task Force
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus[51]
  • Medicare for All Caucus

Bass served as the second vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 115th Congress. She was elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus on November 28, 2018,[52] and served in that capacity from 2019 to 2021.[45]

Vice presidential and Biden administration speculation

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In July 2020, Bass was discussed as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.[42][53][54] Biden reportedly narrowed the field of possible vice presidential selections to a few women, and Bass "gained real traction in the late stage of the search".[54] Politico called Bass "a bridge-building politician who can draw accolades and concessions from both sides of the aisle".[55]

During this time, a video emerged of Bass speaking at the 2010 opening of a Scientology establishment in Los Angeles outside her district. Bass gave a speech praising the Church of Scientology for what she described as fighting against inequality, singling out the words of founder L. Ron Hubbard "that all people of whatever race, color or creed are created with equal rights."[56][57] In 2020, Bass defended her past remarks, tweeting that she had addressed "a group of people with beliefs very different than my own" and "spoke briefly about things I think most of us agree with".[58][59] In addition, Bass tweeted that "[s]ince then, published first-hand accounts in books, interviews and documentaries have exposed [the Church of Scientology]."[59]

Bass was also criticised for a statement she had made in 2016 on the death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, which she called a "great loss to the people of Cuba".[60] Bass said she had been trying to express her condolences to the Cuban population,[60] but added that "it’s certainly something that I would not say again".[61]

When Biden chose Kamala Harris as his running mate, Bass tweeted, "@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now."[62]

In November 2020, Biden considered Bass for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Secretary of Health and Human Services.[63] Ultimately, Biden nominated Ohio Representative Marcia Fudge and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to the posts, respectively.[64]

Mayor of Los Angeles

[edit]
Bass speaking at during her mayoral campaign kickoff in 2021

2022 election

[edit]
Main article: 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election

On September 27, 2021, Bass announced her candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles in the 2022 election.[45][65] Her campaign focused on addressing causes of Los Angeles's homelessness problem and ending homeless encampments around elementary schools and public parks and beaches. Former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed Bass.[66] Bass was the top vote earner in the June 7 primary and faced Rick Caruso in the November runoff,[67] On November 16, the Associated Press declared her the mayor-elect.[10] Caruso spent $100 million of his own money on his campaign.[68]

Tenure

[edit]

Bass was officially sworn in by the Los Angeles City Clerk on December 10, 2022, succeeding Eric Garcetti. The following day, she was ceremonially sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris at a public inauguration event.[1] She officially assumed office on December 12.[7] Bass is the first woman and the second Black person, after Tom Bradley, to serve as mayor of Los Angeles.[9]

On Sunday morning, April 21, 2024, a person broke a window and entered Mayor Bass' residence, Getty House; the mayor and her family were unharmed. The suspect was apprehended.[69][70]

Actions on housing

[edit]

Fulfilling a campaign promise, Bass declared a city state of emergency on homelessness as her first act as mayor.[71] By the end of her first year in office, the Bass Administration reported that over 21,000 homeless individuals had been moved indoors.[72]

During her mayoral campaign, Bass said that she supported more housing in Los Angeles, but opposed changing zoning regulations so that denser housing would be allowed in neighborhoods that mandate single-family housing. At the time, three-quarters of all residentially zoned land in Los Angeles was exclusively zoned for single-family housing.[73]

In June 2023, Bass signed an order to speed up processing for affordable housing developments in Los Angeles. Later that year, she introduced a change to the order that made affordable housing projects in single-family neighborhoods ineligible for fast-tracking. By one estimate, this reversal put 1,443 potential units of low-income housing in legal limbo.[11] In July 2024, she imposed further restrictions on affordable housing, making them ineligible for fast-tracking in "historic districts" and on lots that already have rent controlled apartments.[12]

In September 2023, Bass expressed support for tearing down the Marina Freeway and replacing it with housing.[74] In October 2023, she expressed opposition to tearing down the freeway.[75]

In February 2024, Bass sought to block the LA Dodgers from developing housing on the Dodger Stadium parking lots unless the team would commit to making 25% of the housing affordable housing.[76]

In July 2024, advocates for low-income housing sued the city of Los Angeles for blocking the construction of 140 units of affordable housing in Venice. The housing advocates faulted Bass for allowing local officials to block the housing rather than direct city officials to advance the project.[77] One of Bass's former staffers said that they were directed by superiors to stop advancing this project through the city's bureaucracy.[78] The Los Angeles Times editorial board criticized Bass for her role in blocking the housing development.[79]

Political positions

[edit]

United States–Africa relations

[edit]
Congresswoman Bass and Chris Smith meeting with ambassadors from Africa in 2012

Throughout her time in Congress, Bass has been the top Democrat on the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. Her goal is to transform how Washington engages African nations and to promote the many opportunities to expand trade and economic growth between them and the U.S. One of her key priorities was to reauthorize and strengthen the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which enables African nations to export goods to the U.S. duty-free. In 2015, Bass was instrumental in reauthorizing the bill.[80]

Bass has advocated preventing and ending famine in Africa. In 2017, she helped secure nearly $1 billion in funds to combat famine in Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan. She has also introduced more than 50 bills and resolutions pertaining to democracy protection, expanding economic opportunity, and other issues in Africa. Bass continues to engage the African diaspora with regular popular policy breakfasts, which are open to the public.[80]

Armenia and Artsakh

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During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Bass supported H.Res.1203 and H. Res. 1165, condemning the military offensive launched by Azerbaijani and Turkish-backed forces on Artsakh.[81]

In response to the Armenian National Committee of America's endorsement for the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, Bass stated "For the past few decades, I have worked to hold Azerbaijan accountable and support the people of Artsakh."[82]

In response to the 2022 blockade of the Republic of Artsakh, Bass stated “I stand with the Armenian community here in Los Angeles calling for an end to the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. We must clearly demonstrate our commitment to freedom by helping the people of Artsakh. This is a crisis and will only get worse with inaction. Lives are at stake.”[83] In a joint letter addressed to President Joe Biden,[84] Bass and President of the Los Angeles City Council Paul Krekorian demanded the following:

  1. Providing direct U.S. humanitarian assistance to Artsakh, including food and medical supplies
  2. Making clear to Putin and Aliyev that the United States demands and will act to ensure the safe passage of flights into Artsakh to provide aid
  3. Assertive U.S. diplomatic engagement to facilitate negotiations between Baku and Stepanakert to guarantee the rights and security of the Armenian population of Artsakh
  4. Insisting that Russian troops in Artsakh be replaced by international peacekeepers
  5. Taking tangible action against the regime in Azerbaijan to hold it accountable for its crimes pursuant to Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and the Magnitsky Act.

Child welfare reform

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Upon arriving in Congress, Bass founded the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth (CCFY), a bipartisan group of members of Congress that develops policy recommendations to strengthen the child welfare system. One of the group's most significant achievements was the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act, also known as Family First, which was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act on February 9, 2018. This reform aims to change child welfare systems across the country by addressing the top reasons children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care.[85]

Starting in May 2012, the Caucus began hosting an annual Foster Youth Shadow Day, during which foster youth come to Washington DC for a week to learn about advocating for reforms to the child welfare system. The week culminates in Shadow Day, when participants spend a day following their member of Congress through their daily routine.[86] Bass serves on the organization's board of directors.

Criminal justice

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Bass believes that the criminal justice system is broken in part due to the disproportionate incarceration rates of poor people of color. Bass has long called for criminal justice reform and to pay special attention to the way women are treated by the criminal justice system: how they originally entered the system, how they are treated in prison, and what happens to them after they are released. Bass previously served as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.[87]

In 2018, she voted in favor of the First Step Act, which focused on rehabilitating people in prison by incentivizing them with the possibility of an earlier release. Her contribution to the bill was a section addressing what she considers the inhumane practice of shackling women during pregnancy, labor and delivery.[88]

Impeachment of Donald Trump

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Bass voted for the proposed articles of impeachment against Trump.[89] Of the vote, she tweeted, "He abused the power of his office. He obstructed Congress. No one is above the law."[90]

Israel

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In 2020 Bass was one of more than 115 House Democrats to sign a letter criticizing Israel's plan to annex parts of Palestinian territory in the occupied West Bank.[91] She co-sponsored House Resolution 729, which expressed support for defense aid to Israel.[92] She voiced support for Israel during the Israel–Hamas war.[93]

Jobs

[edit]

Bass has fought to give tax reductions for small businesses to hire new employees, increase the flow of credit to small businesses so they can grow and create jobs, and extend the research and development tax credit that encourages innovation and job creation. She also introduced the Local Hire Act to allow cities and counties to prioritize hiring local residents for infrastructure projects. The rule resulted in new jobs in Los Angeles. In May 2018, Bass and members of the Congressional Black Caucus introduced the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018, omnibus legislation that would increase Black families' upward social mobility and help ensure equal protection under the law.[94]

LGBTQ rights

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In 2018, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club named Bass its Public Official of the Year.[95] In 2019, she voted in favor of the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing, employment, education, credit and financing, and more.[96]

Student loan debt

[edit]

In 2019, Bass introduced two pieces of legislation to address student loan debt. The Student Loan Fairness Act of 2019 addresses this crisis in three major ways: creating a new "10-10" standard, capping the interest rate, and accounting for cost of living. With Danny Davis, she also introduced the Financial Aid Fairness for Students (FAFSA) Act,[97] which would repeal a law that makes it all but impossible for people with a drug conviction to receive federal financial aid for higher education.

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

[edit]
Main article: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020

After the murder of George Floyd and massive nationwide protests, Bass and Representative Jerry Nadler co-authored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, aimed at restraining police practices such as chokeholds, carotid holds, and no-knock warrants,[98] and making it easier to prosecute police if they break the law.[99][100][98]

The bill passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on a mostly party-line vote of 220–212,[101] but not the evenly divided Senate amid opposition from Republicans.[102][103] Negotiations between Republican and Democratic senators on a reform bill collapsed in September 2021.[103]

Personal life

[edit]

From 1980 to 1986, Bass was married to Jesus Lechuga. Following their divorce, Bass and Lechuga jointly raised their daughter and her siblings, Bass's four stepchildren, Scythia, Omar, Yvette, and Ollin.[104] Her daughter, Emilia Bass-Lechuga, and son-in-law, Michael Wright, were killed in a car crash in 2006.[105]

September 2022 burglary

[edit]

On September 9, 2022, Bass's Los Angeles home was burglarized and two firearms were stolen. In a public statement, Bass called the incident "unnerving" and "something that far too many Angelenos have faced." According to Bass, the firearms had been securely stored, and no other valuables were taken from her home.[106] As of September 14, two suspects in the criminal investigation were detained at the LAPD Valley Jail awaiting trial on residential burglary charges.[107] In an interview, Bass said the incident "shattered" her sense of safety within Los Angeles.[108]

See also

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References

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b Wick, Julia; Oreskes, Benjamin; Smith, Dakota (December 11, 2022). "Karen Bass Sworn in as Los Angeles Mayor, the First Woman to Hold the Office". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Vogel, Nancy (February 28, 2008). "L.A. woman to follow Nunez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  3. ^ "African American Speakers of the California". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  4. ^ "Largest-Ever Congressional Black Caucus Sworn In". Diverse. January 3, 2019.
  5. ^ "Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond Says Goodbye to Seat as he Prepares to Pass "Chair" to Rep. Karen Bass". January 2, 2019.
  6. ^ "The Blue Wave Of Black Politicians Gets Sworn In". January 3, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Wick, Julia; Oreskes, Benjamin; Smith, Dakota (December 11, 2022). "Karen Bass sworn in as Los Angeles mayor, the first woman to hold the office". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Karlamangla, Soumya; Rogers, Katie (December 12, 2022). "Karen Bass's First Act as L.A.'s Mayor: Declaring Homelessness an Emergency". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Wick, Julia (November 16, 2022). "Karen Bass elected, becoming L.A.'s first woman mayor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Blood, Michael R. (November 16, 2022). "LA elects US Rep Karen Bass mayor, first Black woman in post". Associated Press. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "LA Mayor Promised To Fast-Track Affordable Housing. But Plans Near Single-Family Homes Have Stalled". LAist. December 6, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Mayor Karen Bass further restricts where affordable housing can be streamlined in LA". LAist. July 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Biography". Congresswoman Karen Bass. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d Barone, Michael; McCutcheon, Chuck (2013). The Almanac of American Politics 2014. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 243–245. ISBN 978-0-226-10544-4. Copyright National Journal.
  15. ^ Ho, Catherine (February 21, 2009). "After budget battle, Bass has news for her old school". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2020. ... humanities magnet from which she graduated in 1971.
  16. ^ "Karen Bass: Madame Speaker". Los Angeles Times. June 27, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  17. ^ a b Rosen, Armin (July 27, 2020). "Biden VP Favorite Karen Bass' Journey From the Radical Fringe". Tablet. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  18. ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (July 31, 2020). "When Karen Bass Went to Work in Castro's Cuba: In 1973, Bass, who's now a potential Biden VP pick, traveled to Cuba with the Venceremos Brigade. 'I didn't have any illusions that the people in Cuba had the same freedoms I did,' she said". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Young, Kerry (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Karen Bass, D-Calif. (33rd District)". Congressional Quarterly.
  20. ^ a b "About Karen". KarenBass.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  21. ^ Mackvich, Ron (February 25, 2019). "Commencement 2019: U.S. Rep. Karen Bass named 2019 speaker for USC ceremony". Keck School of Medicine of USC. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "About Us". Community Coalition. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  23. ^ "Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Profile Series: Representative Karen Bass -". February 27, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  24. ^ "A Conversation With The Honorable Karen Bass". www.international.ucla.edu. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Samad, Anthony Asadullah (February 8, 2007). "Between the lines". The Black Commentator. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  26. ^ Bass, Karen (February 2007). "The State of Black California" (PDF). California Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  27. ^ Yi, Matthew (February 29, 2008). "L.A. lawmaker first African American woman to lead state Assembly". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  28. ^ Brown-Hinds, Paulette (March 6, 2008). "Karen Bass Makes United States History as the first African American Woman to be named to Speaker of". Black Voice News. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  29. ^ Sonenshein, Raphael J. (June 3, 2009). "Q&A with Karen Bass: Life in the Hot Seat". Jewish Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  30. ^ "African American Speakers of the California". Los Angeles Sentinel. April 29, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  31. ^ a b Vogel, Nancy (May 14, 2008). "Assembly speaker sworn in". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Karen Bass, David Cogdill, Darrell Steinberg, and Michael Villines". JFK Library. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  33. ^ a b Osborne, James (March 26, 2015). "California Democrat Accuses Talk Radio Conservatives of 'Terrorizing' Republicans". Fox News. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  34. ^ Morrison, Patt (June 27, 2009). "Madam Speaker: An interview with state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  35. ^ Merl, Jean (February 18, 2010). "Karen Bass confirms candidacy for seat in Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  36. ^ a b "Representative Karen Bass' Campaign Finances – Project Vote Smart". Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  37. ^ Van Oot, Torey (November 3, 2010). "Bass, Denham win seats in Congress". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  38. ^ "25 Most Influential African Americans In Politics". BET. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c "California's 37th Congressional District election, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  40. ^ "Petition to #DiagnoseTrump urges mental health evaluation for Donald Trump - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  41. ^ "Kyle Griffin - Twitter". Twitter.
  42. ^ a b c Thomas, Ken; Wise, Lindsay (July 31, 2020). "Biden Considers Karen Bass, Lawmaker Known as Team Player, in Running-Mate Search". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2020. In the days after the 2018 midterm elections, a small group of dissatisfied House Democrats searched for a challenger to the party's leader, Nancy Pelosi. They were seeking someone to run for speaker who was well-regarded by the Congressional Black Caucus, among centrists and within progressive circles, according to people familiar with the effort. Their first choice was a legislator from Mrs. Pelosi's home state: Rep. Karen Bass.
  43. ^ a b DeBonis, Mike; Costa, Rober (December 13, 2018). "'Her skills are real': How Pelosi put down a Democratic rebellion in bid for speaker". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 1, 2020. Rep. Nancy Pelosi's opponents knew they had an opportunity. But what they really needed was an alternative. This past summer, they thought they had identified the perfect candidate to replace Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the party's House leader: Rep. Karen Bass, a respected Californian who once served as speaker of the state Assembly.
  44. ^ "Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations – House Foreign Affairs Committee". House.gov. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019.
  45. ^ a b c Lloyd, Jonathan (September 27, 2021). "'I'm Ready': Rep. Karen Bass Planning a Run for LA Mayor". NBCLosAngeles.com.
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  53. ^ Ronayne, Kathleen (July 31, 2020). "'Building bridges': How Bass became a leading VP contender". Associated Press. Retrieved August 1, 2020. After George Floyd's killing by police, she led Democratic efforts on legislation to overhaul law enforcement, a push that prompted Biden's team to take her more seriously as a potential running mate.
  54. ^ a b Lee, MJ; Zeleny, Jeff; Wright, Jasmine (July 31, 2020). "Joe Biden narrows down his VP list, with Karen Bass emerging as one of several key contenders". CNN.
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  56. ^ Perano, Ursula (August 1, 2020). "Rep. Karen Bass addresses 2010 Church of Scientology speech". Axios. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  57. ^ Cadelago, Christopher (August 5, 2020). "Bass corrects explanation for appearing at Scientology event". POLITICO.
  58. ^ Egan, Lauren (August 1, 2020). "Rep. Karen Bass, potential VP pick, addresses her past praise of Scientology". NBC News. Retrieved October 16, 2020. Ten years ago, I attended a new building opening in my district and spoke to what I think all of us believe in — respect for one another's views, to treat all people with respect, and to fight against oppression wherever we find it.
  59. ^ a b Semones, Evan (August 1, 2020). "Bass addresses past remarks praising Scientology". Politico. Retrieved October 16, 2020. Rep. Karen Bass, a top-tier contender to be Joe Biden's running mate, on Saturday sought to clarify remarks she made in 2010 praising the Church of Scientology...Bass's record has increasingly come under scrutiny as she has moved toward the top of presumptive Democratic nominee Biden's vice presidential shortlist after lobbying by fellow House Democrats.
  60. ^ a b Slodysko, Brian (August 6, 2020). "Leading Democratic VP contender Bass defends stance on Cuba". Associated Press. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
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  62. ^ @KarenBassTweets (August 11, 2020). "@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now. 1/ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfKoltpWkAEqk13?format=jpg&name=small" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  64. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay; Shear, Michael D. (December 6, 2020). "Biden Picks Xavier Becerra to Lead Health and Human Services". The New York Times.
  65. ^ Grisales, Claudia (September 27, 2021). "Rep. Karen Bass Launches Campaign To Be The Next Mayor Of Los Angeles". NPR.
  66. ^ "Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorses Rep. Karen Bass for mayor". spectrumnews1.com. October 15, 2021.
  67. ^ "Election Results". results.lavote.gov. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  68. ^ Hyde, Carter; Kahn, Gabriel (November 4, 2022). "Mountains of Money in the 2022 Race for L.A. Mayor, As Visualized in Four Charts". KCET. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  69. ^ Edmonds, Colbi (April 22, 2024). "Intruder Breaks Into Los Angeles Mayor's Residence". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
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  71. ^ Scott, Anna (December 14, 2022). "Los Angeles mayor declares a state of emergency over the homelessness crisis". NPR. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023.
  72. ^ Zahniser, David (December 7, 2023). "Bass says L.A. has put 21,000 homeless people into interim housing. Here's what that means". LA Times.
  73. ^ Dillon, Liam; Mejia, Brittny (November 1, 2022). "To fix overcrowding in L.A., build more housing, mayoral candidates say". Los Angeles Times.
  74. ^ "This L.A. freeway is the butt of many jokes. Can it have new life as parks and housing?". Los Angeles Times. September 23, 2023.
  75. ^ "Los Angeles Mayor Takes Stand Against Marina 90 Freeway Removal as Dispute Intensifies". Hoodline. 2023.
  76. ^ "Affordable housing demand could derail Dodger Stadium gondola project". Los Angeles Times. February 17, 2024.
  77. ^ "L.A. officials continue to stall homeless housing project in Venice, new lawsuit claims". Los Angeles Times. July 12, 2024.
  78. ^ "Venice homeless housing development continues in limbo as councilmember declares the project dead". Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2024.
  79. ^ "Editorial: Mayor Bass has no more excuses for delaying Venice Dell homeless housing". Los Angeles Times. June 3, 2024.
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  81. ^ "Rep. Bass Takes Legislative Action To Stand With The People Of Armenia". Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  82. ^ "ANCA-Western Region Endorses Rep. Karen Bass for Mayor of Los Angeles". Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  83. ^ "Los Angeles Mayor calls for an end to the blockade of Lachin corridor". Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  84. ^ "Los Angeles Mayor, City Council President call on Biden to help Artsakh, take action against Azeri regime". Armenpress. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
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  92. ^ "Cosponsors – H.Res.729 – 114th Congress (2015–2016): Expressing support for the expeditious consideration and finalization of a new, robust, and long-term Memorandum of Understanding on military assistance to Israel between the United States Government and the Government of Israel". Congress.gov.
  93. ^ "Consul General of Israel to Pacific Southwest on Antisemitism, Mayor Bass and Why World Must 'Topple Hamas'". Los Angeles Magazine. October 17, 2023.
  94. ^ "Rep. Bass, Congressional Black Caucus Introduce Jobs and Justice Act of 2018". Congresswoman Karen Bass. May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
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  97. ^ "Reps. Bass, Davis Introduce the FAFSA ACT". Chicago Defender. October 3, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  98. ^ a b Munoz, Anabel (June 24, 2020). "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act". KABC-TV. Retrieved August 1, 2020. Congresswoman Karen Bass is pushing for law enforcement accountability at a federal level, and she credits demonstrators for prompting lawmakers to take action... The Congressional Black Caucus chair co-introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Among other things, it would ban chokeholds, carotid holds and no-knock warrants at a federal level. The bipartisan vote was 236–181 to approve the measure, the most sweeping federal intervention into law enforcement in years.
  99. ^ Edmondson, Catie (June 25, 2020). "House Passes Sweeping Policing Bill Targeting Racial Bias and Use of Force". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2020. Democrats' legislation, spearheaded by Representative Karen Bass of California, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, included several measures that civil rights activists have been pushing for decades, such as amending the federal criminal code to make it easier to prosecute police officers for misconduct by lowering the standard that prosecutors must meet.
  100. ^ Edmondson, Catie (June 8, 2020). "Democrats Unveil Sweeping Bill Targeting Police Misconduct and Racial Bias". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2020. 'The Justice in Policing Act establishes a bold, transformative vision of policing in America,' said Representative Karen Bass of California, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. 'Never again should the world be subjected to witnessing what we saw on the streets in Minneapolis, the slow murder of an individual by a uniformed police officer.'
  101. ^ "Office of the clerk, US House of Representatives". house.gov. March 3, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  102. ^ Amy Sherman, Bipartisan police reform has been a struggle in the Senate. Here's the story, PolitiFact (April 30, 2021).
  103. ^ a b Felicia Sonmez & Mike DeBonis, Republicans, Democrats unable to reach deal on bill to overhaul policing tactics in the aftermath of protests over killing of Black Americans, Washington Post (September 22, 2021).
  104. ^ "Karen Bass Makes United States History as the first African American Woman to be named to Speaker of (sic)". The Black Voice News. Riverside, California: Brown Publishing Company. March 6, 2008. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  105. ^ "Couple die in crash on 405". Los Angeles Times. October 31, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  106. ^ "Rep. Karen Bass says her Los Angeles home was burglarized, two firearms stolen". CNN Politics. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
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  108. ^ "Karen Bass reveals 2 men arrested after breaking into her house and stealing guns". FoxLA.com. September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karen Bass.
California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California Assembly
from the 47th district
2004–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the California State Assembly
2006 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the California State Assembly
2008–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Los Angeles
2022–present 		Incumbent
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 33rd congressional district
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 37th congressional district
2013–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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