Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act
The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act would create a 13-member federal Commission tasked with researching the history and ongoing impact of slavery and related discrimination against African Americans, with the aim of developing formal reparations proposals and recommendations for a national apology. The Commission would examine slavery from 1619 (and, in some language, colonial precursors) through 1865, as well as subsequent de jure and de facto discrimination that persisted after emancipation. It would identify evidence, assess lingering harms, educate the public about its findings, and submit recommendations to Congress on remedies, including how to structure any compensation or other forms of redress. The act authorizes funding, sets a reporting deadline, outlines duties and powers, and provides for a termination date after its report is delivered. In short, if enacted, the bill would establish an official, time-bound body to study slavery and its lasting effects, consult with civil society and reparations organizations, and produce a comprehensive set of recommendations (potentially including financial reparations and formal government apologies) for Congress to consider.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans (13 members; appointment by the President, House Speaker, Senate President pro tempore, and from reparations organizations).
- 2Purpose and scope include: (A) the Trans-Atlantic and domestic slavery from 1565/1619 to 1865; (B) post-emancipation de jure and de facto discrimination; (C) ongoing negative effects on living African Americans and U.S. society; (D) role of instructional resources in denying slavery’s inhumanity; (E) Northern complicity; (F) benefits to institutions that may have profited from slavery.
- 3Duties of the Commission include compiling evidence about slavery, discrimination, and its aftermath; identifying lingering harms; recommending public education strategies; and proposing remedies, including how to calculate and implement compensation, eligibility, and other measures of rehabilitation or restitution.
- 4Required to consider international standards for remedies and to address questions about formal apology, elimination of discriminatory laws/policies, and specific mechanisms for compensation or other reparative actions.
- 5Reporting requirement: a written report of findings and recommendations to Congress within one year after the Commission’s first meeting.
- 6Membership specifics: three members appointed by the President, three by the Speaker of the House, one by the Senate President pro tempore, and six from civil society and reparations organizations; terms last the life of the Commission.
- 7Powers and authorities: can hold hearings, issue subpoenas, obtain information from federal agencies, and coordinate with the Executive Branch as needed.
- 8Administrative provisions: ability to hire staff and experts, contract with departments or private entities, and reimbursement of expenses; compensation limited to amounts comparable to certain federal pay scales.
- 9Termination and funding: the Commission terminates 90 days after it submits its report and is authorized to receive up to $12 million for its activities.