Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations).

The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work.

The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.

Bill 118 hr 40, also known as the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, was introduced in the US Congress with the aim of establishing a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. The bill seeks to address the long-standing issue of racial inequality and discrimination that has affected African Americans in the United States.

The commission established by this bill would be tasked with examining the institution of slavery in the United States, the discrimination against African Americans that followed emancipation, and the impact of these injustices on African Americans today. The commission would also be responsible for recommending appropriate remedies to address these historical injustices, including reparations for African Americans.

The bill outlines the composition of the commission, which would consist of 13 members appointed by the President and congressional leaders. The commission would have a broad mandate to conduct research, hold hearings, and make recommendations to Congress on how to address the legacy of slavery and discrimination against African Americans. Supporters of the bill argue that reparations are necessary to address the ongoing effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including disparities in wealth, education, and healthcare. Critics, however, question the feasibility and fairness of reparations, and argue that they could be divisive and difficult to implement. Overall, Bill 118 hr 40 represents an important step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by African Americans in the United States. The establishment of a commission to study and develop reparation proposals is a significant and potentially transformative initiative that has the potential to bring about meaningful change for African Americans and promote racial justice in the United States.