Rep. Ayanna Pressley announced the reintroduction of H.R. 40, a bill aimed at creating a federal commission to study the impacts of slavery and propose reparations for Black Americans. Originally introduced by Rep. John Conyers in 1989, the legislation has seen renewed interest, moving out of committee for the first time in April under Pressley's sponsorship. She honors the late Sheila Jackson Lee's legacy and asserts that reparations are necessary for justice and rebuilding an equitable America. Pressley critiques the current political environment, describing it as encompassing an era of heightened anti-Black sentiment.
It is an honor to inherit the privilege of carrying this bill forward... I will keep working on our priorities and never give up.
Reparations are a necessary step toward achieving justice... This is a pragmatic policy that is fundamentally about repairing harm and building a more just America.
The bill would create a federal commission that would investigate the impacts of slavery and provide concrete proposals for reparations.
The commission must gather documentation and evidence of slavery in the U.S., study the role federal and state governments played in supporting slavery.
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