Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) has revived a controversial legislative push for federal reparations, reintroducing the “Reparations Now Resolution” in the House of Representatives. The resolution seeks trillions of dollars in compensation to Black Americans who are descendants of slaves, reigniting debate over racial justice and government spending.
The resolution echoes a similar effort last year by former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), who lost re-election after proposing $14 trillion in reparations. Lee’s resolution emphasizes historical injustices such as slavery, segregation, and discriminatory federal policies as the foundation for the sweeping federal payouts. Lee argued that systemic racism continues to affect Black communities and that reparations are necessary to address long-standing inequities.
At Lee’s announcement, alongside Democrat representatives, Bush stated, “We say to the rest of America: If you are truly committed to justice, as you try to say you are, you cannot look away. You cannot turn your back on the demand for reparations, because until there is repair, there will be no justice. And where there is no justice, we will continue to fight. We’re not going anywhere. We are awake. We are organized, and we will win. Reparations now.”
The resolution outlines a demand for reparations through direct payments, land grants, and government-funded social programs. It also calls for the federal government to formally acknowledge its role in the enslavement and marginalization of Black Americans. The plan does not yet include a specific funding mechanism or eligibility framework.
Republican lawmakers are pushing back. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX), who chairs the House Science Committee, introduced a counter-bill that would strip federal funding from any state or locality implementing reparations policies. The “No Bailouts for Reparations Act,” aims to prohibit the federal government from providing financial assistance to any state or local government that enacts reparations programs. Babin argues that American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize what he views as divisive and fiscally irresponsible policies.
With Republicans holding the House majority, the proposal has little chance of advancing through legislative channels, but progressives are using it to rally their base ahead of the 2026 midterms.
