The new Congress will elevate more black lawmakers to positions of power than ever before - four African Americans are likely to head committees and up to 20 are expected to lead subcommittees. But black lawmakers are already facing pressure from the Democratic leadership to hold back on pushing an agenda sought by traditional party allies. We speak with Ron Walters, Director of the African American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland and advisory chair to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. [includes rush transcript] The new Congress will elevate more black lawmakers to positions of power than ever before - four African Americans are likely to head committees and up to 20 are expected to lead subcommittees. Black lawmakers will have direct oversight on issues such as tax policy, homeland security and the legal system. In addition, the third-ranking House Democratic Leader – Representative James Clyburn is African American and the only black senator, Illinois’s Barack Obama, is a possible presidential candidate. Longtime Democratic political consultant Donna Brazile, recently commented that “2007 will mark the first time in U.S. history that African Americans will have a prominent seat at the table in helping to shape public policy in our nation.” But black lawmakers are already facing pressure from the Democratic leadership to hold back on pushing an agenda sought by traditional party allies. This includes creating a commission on reparations for slavery, enacting legislation to restore voting rights for convicted felons, prohibiting racial profiling by police and customs officers, increasing compensation paid to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina and laying the groundwork for impeachment proceedings against President Bush. Yesterday, President Bush spoke about the new congress at a press conference. He urged Democrats to “set aside politics.” President Bush speaking yesterday. Ron Walters joins us now from Washington D.C.

• Ron Walters. Director of the African American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland. He is author of many books, his most recent is titled “Freedom is not Enough: Black Voters, Black Candidates, and American Presidential Politics.” He is also the chair of the advisory committee of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.