CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

H.R. 40 · House bill Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

A Democratic bill with 123 Democratic cosponsors · See all 123 cosponsors

Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

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

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill establishes the "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act." The legislation creates a commission to investigate the history of slavery in the United States and the subsequent de jure and de facto discrimination against African Americans. This commission is tasked with studying the economic, social, and political impacts of these historical injustices on living African Americans. The group will analyze the roles of Federal and State governments in supporting slavery and subsequent discriminatory practices. Ultimately, the commission must recommend appropriate remedies, including potential reparations and a national apology. The final findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within 18 months of the commission's first full meeting.

Yes· 3 of 5

  • Scored +10

    Would Black Americans be better off under this?

    Directly targets the study of slavery's impact and proposes reparations and an apology for African Americans.

  • Scored +8

    Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?

    The bill seeks to address systemic racial discrimination and propose reparations for African Americans.

  • Scored +5

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    Potential for financial compensation through proposed reparations.

The opposite· 3 of 4

  • Scored -1

    Would white Americans be better off under this?

    May be viewed negatively due to the cost to taxpayers and focus on specific racial reparations.

  • Scored -1

    Does this reduce what the federal government owes?

    The bill authorizes $20 million in spending, which slightly increases government expenditure.

  • Scored -1

    Does this reduce what the federal government spends?

    The bill authorizes new spending of $20 million for the commission.