Reparations bill wins new momentum in Congress
By Mike Lillis and Scott Wong - 04/04/19 06:00 AM EDT
House legislation to form a commission to study whether black Americans should receive reparations for slavery is getting a significant boost from Democrats on the presidential campaign trail.
Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the head of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), suggested that action on a reparations measure sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is all but certain, with Democrats now in control of the lower chamber and the idea gaining prominence on the national stage.
Jackson Lee’s bill would form a commission to study the issue of reparations but does not call for black Americans to receive payments.
“I don’t think there needs to be pressure, we’re in charge,†Bass said. “It’s being discussed, I’m sure we’re going to get there.â€
2020 hopefuls including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are backing the legislation. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), another presidential candidate, is a co-sponsor.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/437286-reparations-bill-wins-new-momentum-in-house
