Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
Confronting and Correcting Historical Injustices Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the Confronting and Correcting Historical Injustices Act. It establishes a commission to review historical injustices and instances where a federal agency unjustly discriminated against certain protected groups and members of the uniformed services. The commission must set up a public mechanism for submitting instances of discrimination within 90 days. It is composed of eight members appointed by congressional leaders from both parties. The commission is required to report to Congress quarterly with information on alternatives to the pardon process, reviewed instances, and recommendations.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill establishes a commission to review historical injustices and federal agency discrimination against protected groups.
- Scored +6
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides a formal mechanism to review and address historical injustices and civil rights violations affecting protected groups.
- Scored +6
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill establishes a commission to review historical discrimination by federal agencies against civil rights-protected populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Submission Mechanism: Under Section 2(b)(4), the bill requires the commission to establish a mechanism for the public to submit and be heard on each instance of discrimination by a federal agency within 90 days of enactment, which gives everyday people a direct way to voice their experiences.
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Review of Uncompensated Discrimination: Under Section 2(b)(3), the commission will identify and review instances where individuals or groups were discriminated against and have not received compensation for the discriminatory act of a federal agency, helping to bring light to unresolved wrongs.
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Inclusion of Impacted Individuals: Under Section 2(e), the commission may collaborate with community members, formerly incarcerated or exonerated individuals, and others directly impacted by federal agency discrimination, ensuring those affected have a voice in the review process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burdens on Federal Agencies: Under Section 2(f), the commission has the power to issue subpoenas to any agency that a majority of the commission determines is necessary for its investigations, which could create operational burdens for federal agencies.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides a formal mechanism to review and address historical injustices and civil rights violations affecting protected groups. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill creates a review process for federal agency discrimination against protected civil rights groups. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill establishes a commission to review historical discrimination by federal agencies against civil rights-protected populations. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill's focus on reviewing historical federal injustices provides an avenue for addressing past harms against minority communities. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill establishes avenues to review past federal discrimination against protected groups, offering broader scrutiny of historical agency actions. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill explicitly incorporates individuals protected by the Rehabilitation Act into its review of historical federal discrimination. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill specifically mandates the review of historical injustices and discriminatory treatment affecting members of the uniformed services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill establishes a commission to review historical injustices and federal agency discrimination against protected groups. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill explicitly includes individuals protected under the Rehabilitation Act in its review of historical federal discrimination. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill requires reporting on alternatives to the pardon process, including exoneration or other forms of forgiveness.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill creates a public submission mechanism for instances of federal discrimination and requires regular quarterly reports to Congress. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill reviews past discriminatory charges and convictions while exploring alternatives to the traditional pardon process. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill grants a newly established federal commission subpoena power over federal agencies.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill includes members of the uniformed services in its mandate to review historical injustices and discriminatory treatment by federal agencies.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California