CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratBill · H.Res. 414· House(119-HRES-414)

Recognizing that the United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the crime of enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people in the United States.

Rep. Lee
Age: 39 years
Pennsylvania
Introduced
5/15/2025
Last activity
5/15/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsored by
Summer Lee
Cosponsors
Democrat - 13Republican - 0
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.

What this bill would do

This resolution recognizes the Federal Government's moral and legal obligation to provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved Black people and people of African descent. It cites the lasting harms caused by chattel slavery, government-sanctioned segregation, and various discriminatory policies. The text argues that these historical wrongs have led to modern-day economic, social, and health disparities. It calls for a variety of forms of redress, including direct monetary compensation and targeted benefits. Ultimately, the resolution seeks to address the racial wealth gap and the cumulative damage caused by systemic racism.

Yes· 3 of 20

  • Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+10

    The entire resolution is designed to address and rectify systemic racial inequality and harm.

  • Would Black Americans be better off under this?+10

    The resolution is explicitly designed to provide redress and benefits to Black people and their descendants.

  • Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?+9

    Direct monetary reparations are intended to address the racial wealth gap and economic deprivation.

The opposite

  • Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-5

    The massive scale of proposed reparations could significantly increase federal spending and national debt.

  • Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5

    The bill calls for extensive new federal spending programs for compensation and social redress.

  • Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-5

    The estimated cost of trillions of dollars poses significant fiscal challenges.