Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a 13-member commission to study the history and lasting effects of slavery in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865, including how government-supported discrimination after slavery still harms Black Americans today.
• The commission would recommend whether the federal government should issue a formal apology for slavery and human rights violations, and would suggest ways to educate the public about its findings.
• The commission would develop specific proposals for reparations, including deciding who qualifies, what form compensation should take, and how it would be distributed.
• Congress would authorize $12 million for the commission, which would have one year after its first meeting to deliver its final report and recommendations.
• The bill highlights ongoing racial disparities, noting that Black Americans face incarceration rates, unemployment rates, and wealth gaps that have worsened over time compared to white Americans.