Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

House Bill

H.R. 40

119th Congress

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jul 14, 2025

Primary Sponsor

SHEILA JACKSON LEE

D - TX

Cosponsors

130

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Summary

This bill would establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States, the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants. The commission would then recommend ways the U.S. government could recognize and address the effects of slavery and discrimination, including through a formal apology and potential financial compensation, or reparations, for African Americans.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Introduced7/14/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

This bill would establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States, the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants. The commi

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This bill would establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States, the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants. The commission would then recommend ways the U.S. government could recognize and address the effects of slavery and discrimination, including through a formal apology and potential financial compensation, or reparations, for African Americans.

Bill Number: 40
Introduced: 7/14/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy Area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act
Bill Number: 40
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced: 7/14/2025
Summary: This bill would establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States, the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants. The commission would then recommend ways the U.S.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States, the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants. The commission would then recommend ways the U.S. government could recognize and address the effects of slavery and discrimination, including through a formal apology and potential financial compensation, or reparations, for African Americans.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Establishes a commission to study the history of slavery and its impacts in the U.S.
The commission would examine the role of federal and state governments in supporting slavery and discriminatory policies against freed slaves and their descendants.
The commission would recommend ways the U.S. government could acknowledge and address the effects of slavery and discrimination, including through a formal apology and potential financial compensation, or reparations, for African Americans.
The commission would be required to submit a final report within 18 months of its first meeting.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would directly impact African Americans by establishing a formal process to study the historical harms of slavery and discrimination, and potentially lead to a government apology and reparations program. The commission's recommendations could result in concrete changes to address the legacy of slavery and racial injustice in the United States.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Subjects

Advisory bodies

Civics education

Congressional oversight

Constitution and constitutional amendments

Evidence and witnesses

Federal district courts

Government liability

Government studies and investigations

Human rights

Public contracts and procurement

+4 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

40, 119th Congress (2025). "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-40