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 reparations proposals for African Americans. The commission would compile historical evidence, hold hearings and subpoena witnesses, and submit a final report with recommendations to Congress within one year of its first meeting.
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- Would direct research into slavery and its long-term harms and recommend remedies that could include a formal apology and monetary compensation for descendants of enslaved Africans.
- Would require federal agencies and others to provide information and documents to the commission and allow hearings and subpoenas to support its work.
- Would give Congress a single, time‑bound report of findings and policy options to guide any legislative response.
*Would authorize $12.0 million to carry out the commission’s work.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Reparations study for African Americans
If enacted, the bill would create a 13-member federal commission to study slavery and later discrimination and to recommend reparations. The commission would collect evidence from as early as 1565 in Florida and from 1619 elsewhere through 1865, and study discrimination from 1868 to today. It would be appointed within 90 days and must hold its first meeting within 120 days after enactment or within 30 days after funding, whichever is later. The commission would get up to $12 million if appropriated, could hire contractors and use GSA services, and could subpoena witnesses and federal records as allowed by law. Members and staff pay would be capped at the daily equivalent of Executive Schedule level IV, and members would be reimbursed for travel. The commission must report findings and recommendations to Congress within one year after its first meeting and would end 90 days after sending that report.
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
Peter Welch
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
Raphael Warnock
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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov