After decades of trying to get America to start the process of reckoning with its history of slavery and its contemporary effects, a House panel advanced legislation that would support a study to figure out how to address the issue. This is the first time that the House Judiciary Committee has acted on the legislation, CBS News reports.
Black democratic lawmakers have been fighting in Congress for decades to get reparations for America’s Black population, but have often faced roadblocks from Republicans. Originally introduced by the late John Conyers in 1989, the legislation referred to as H.R. 40, has gone through many changes over the years.
Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill Allowing Drivers to Hit Protesters Without Being Charged
The legislation would allow for the formation of a commission to study the impacts of slavery and discrimination in America from 1619 to the present. From there, the commission would suggest ways to educate Americans about the results of the study, share solutions on how to address all forms of racism, what an apology would look like and what type of compensation should be offered.
The lead sponsor, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), said the legislation could be go to the full House floor for a vote this summer.
Source: In Historic Move, House Panel Advances Reparations Legislation to Study Impact of Slavery and Racism
