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119-s-40119th Congress

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. This bill would set up a 13-member panel to collect evidence on slavery and later discrimination and to recommend remedies such as a formal apology and compensation.

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  • African American individuals and families: Would identify lingering harms from slavery and systemic discrimination and propose remedies, including public education, apology, or compensation.
  • Civil society and reparations organizations: 6 of the 13 commissioners would come from major civil society or reparations groups, giving those movements formal seats on the panel.
  • Federal agencies and the public record: The commission could hold hearings, issue subpoenas, obtain agency data, and contract experts to build its case.
  • Congress: Would receive a final report with recommendations within one year of the commission's first meeting to inform possible legislative action.

*Would authorize $12.0 million to carry out the commission's work.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Commission hearings and records access

If enacted, this bill would let the Commission hold hearings, require witnesses to attend and testify, and demand documents it considers appropriate. The Commission could ask a U.S. district court to enforce subpoenas. Executive branch departments and agencies would be required to provide requested information to the extent permitted by law. These powers would help the Commission gather records and testimony for its study and recommendations.

Commission membership and compensation rules

If enacted, this bill would set the Commission at 13 members and require appointments within 90 days after enactment. The President would appoint 3 members, the Speaker 3, the Senate President pro tempore 1, and 6 would come from major civil society or reparations organizations. Members must be especially qualified by education, training, activism, or experience. Non‑federal full‑time members could be paid up to the daily equivalent of Executive Schedule level IV, get travel and expense reimbursement, and the Commission could hire staff and consultants outside normal competitive-hiring rules subject to pay caps for staff and consultant rates.

New federal reparations study commission

If enacted, this bill would create a federal Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The President would call the first meeting within 120 days after enactment or within 30 days after an appropriations law, whichever is later. The Commission would have to send a written report to Congress within one year after that first meeting and would end 90 days after sending the report. The bill would authorize $12,000,000 to carry out the Commission and let it buy research and contracting services, but actual spending would depend on future appropriations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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