Convention Central: The Platform Hearings

Last week the Democratic Party Platform Drafting Committee held its first of four public regional hearings to discuss the party platform and give all democrats the opportunity to have their voice heard.

The hearings are a first for the DNC and, in part, motivated by the Clinton-Sanders primary debate over inclusion of respective issues priorities in the party's official plank of issues.

Voting and approval of the official platform are part of the official proceedings at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia July 25-28th.

This first hearing was held in Washington, DC on June 8th and 9th, with opening remarks by DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Platform Drafting Chair Elijah Cummings (D-Md), and DNCC CEO Reverend Leah D. Daughtry.  Testimony was also heard by representatives from all walks of life, including former Attorney General Eric Holder, activists Cornel West and Fawn Sharp, and religious lobbyist Sister Simone Campbell among others.

We are broadening the process to welcome and include input from across the nation ... to ensure we take up the issues at the center of people's lives, so I hope Democrats will make time to share their perspectives." - Congressman Elijah Cummings