On Wednesday, House Democrats reintroduced legislation to create a plan for providing reparations to black Americans who are descendants of slaves.
The reintroduction of HR 40, also known as the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, is being co-led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), according to Fox News.
In a press conference, Pressley stated, “Reparations are a necessary step in achieving justice,” adding, “We are in a moment of anti-Blackness on steroids and we refuse to be silent. We will not back down in our pursuit of racial justice.”
The bill aims to establish a commission to:
- Study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans affected by slavery and systemic discrimination.
- Investigate the lingering negative effects of slavery and subsequent racial discrimination.
- Examine how educational resources are used to address or deny the inhumanity of slavery.
- Assess the role of Northern complicity in supporting the Southern-based institution of slavery.
The commission would compile evidence of slavery in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865, including:
- The capture, transport, and sale of Africans as chattel property.
- The treatment of enslaved people during transport and forced labor.
- The sexual abuse and dehumanization of enslaved individuals.
- The role of federal and state governments in sustaining slavery and restricting repatriation efforts.
The commission would also evaluate:
- The impact of discriminatory laws on former slaves and their descendants.
- Potential government actions to formally apologize for human rights violations committed against African Americans.
- Forms of financial compensation and eligibility criteria for reparations.
The proposed commission would include:
- Three members appointed by the President.
- Three members appointed by the House Speaker.
- Three members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
The bill’s reintroduction has reignited debate over reparations, with supporters arguing it is a necessary step toward justice and critics questioning its feasibility and impact.
