What does ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The Commission's duties include documenting the history of slavery in the United States from 1619 through 1865, encompassing aspects like capture, transport, sale, treatment, and exploitation. The Commission will analyze the roles of federal and state governments in supporting slavery and hindering repatriation efforts. It will also study the effects of discriminatory laws and practices on formerly enslaved Africans and their descendants from 1868 to the present. The Commission is tasked with examining the lingering negative effects of slavery on living African Americans and on society. The Commission must recommend ways to educate the public about its findings to promote racial healing and understanding. The Commission is required to recommend appropriate remedies, considering international standards for reparations and addressing issues like a formal apology and elimination of discriminatory policies. The Commission will submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of its first meeting.

What does POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section outlines the powers of the Commission established by this Act. The Commission can hold hearings, administer oaths, and compel witness testimony and document production. Subpoenas issued by the Commission can be enforced through U.S. district courts for contempt of court. Subpoenas require agreement from the Chair and Vice Chair or a majority vote of the Commission. The Commission may enter into contracts for goods and services, including research and report preparation, subject to appropriations and applicable laws. The Commission can request information from federal agencies, including confidential information, which must be provided upon request. The Administrator of General Services is authorized to provide reimbursable administrative support services to the Commission. The Commission may accept donations of goods, services, and property. The Commission can utilize postal services. Subcommittees, members, and agents of the Commission can take actions authorized by the Commission.

What does ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section establishes administrative provisions for the Commission. The Commission will have a Director, jointly selected by the Chair and Vice Chair and approved by a majority of the members. The Chair and Vice Chair can appoint additional personnel as needed to carry out the Commission's functions. The Director and staff can be appointed without regard to certain civil service laws and pay regulations, with salary caps. Federal Government employees can be detailed to the Commission without cost to the Commission. The Commission can procure consultant services, with rate limits based on the Executive Schedule. Commission members can be compensated at a rate not exceeding the equivalent of a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule. Commission members are allowed travel expenses similar to those for intermittently employed government personnel. The Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to the Commission.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of the Act. A total of $20,000,000 is authorized for appropriation.

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Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Q: What does Preamble of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This bill, formally titled H.R. 40, aims to address the injustices of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865. It proposes the establishment of a commission to study and consider a national apology and reparations. The commission will also examine the impact of slavery and subsequent discrimination on living African Americans. The commission is tasked with making recommendations to Congress regarding appropriate remedies.

Q: What does SHORT TITLE. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Q: What does FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section establishes findings regarding the history of slavery and its lasting effects on African Americans in the United States. It details the constitutional and statutory sanction of slavery by the U.S. government from 1789 through 1865, and subsequent discriminatory practices following abolition and Reconstruction. The section highlights examples of discriminatory Federal Government actions, including policies related to housing, Social Security, the GI Bill, and labor unions. It notes the ongoing economic, educational, and health hardships faced by African Americans as a result of this history. The purpose of the Act, as stated in this section, is to establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. The commission will examine the institution of slavery, subsequent discrimination, and its lingering negative effects. The commission is tasked with recommending ways to educate the public, advance racial healing, and propose remedies based on its findings.

Q: What does MEMBERSHIP. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

The Commission will consist of 15 members. Three members are to be appointed by the President, three by the Speaker of the House, and three by the President pro tempore of the Senate. Six members will be appointed by the Director and approved by a majority of the members appointed under (a)(1)(A). Members must be qualified by education, training, activism, or experience, particularly in African-American studies and reparatory justice. Members of Congress or government employees are ineligible to serve. Terms of office are for the life of the Commission. Seven members constitute a quorum. The Chair and Vice-Chair will be selected jointly by the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House. The Chair must call an initial meeting within 45 days of all members' appointments.

Q: What does TERMINATION. of Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act do?

This section establishes a termination date for the Commission. The Commission will terminate 90 days after submitting its report to Congress under section 3(c).

Last updated: 1/3/2025 · Introduced: 1/3/2025

Author: Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a 15-member Commission to study the history of slavery in the United States and its lasting effects on African Americans.
The Commission will document the history of slavery, analyze the roles of government entities, and examine the ongoing negative impacts on living African Americans.
The Commission is tasked with recommending remedies, including a potential national apology and strategies for racial healing, based on its findings.
The Commission must submit a comprehensive report of its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of its first meeting.
The bill authorizes a total of $20 million in appropriations to fund the Commission’s activities.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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