Booker to introduce bill to form study commission on reparations

Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) said on Monday that he will introduce legislation creating a commission to study the issue of granting reparations to African-Americans. “This bill is a way of addressing head-on the persistence of racism, white supremacy, and implicit racial bias in our country. It will bring together the best minds to study the issue and propose solutions that will finally begin to right the economic scales of past harms and make sure we are a country where all dignity and humanity is affirmed,” Booker said in a statement.  The bill would mirror legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeSheila Jackson LeeMore than 6000 attend George Floyd’s Houston viewing Exclusive investigation on the coronavirus pandemic: Where was Congress? Democrats seek to tap into fury over George Floyd MORE (D-Texas). Booker’s office said Monday that he would formally file text of the legislation “shortly,” but that the bill would form a commission tasked with studying the “impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African-Americans” and making recommendations on reparation proposals for descendants of slaves. “I am pleased that Senator Booker has introduced a Senate Companion to H.R. 40. I salute his dedication to elevating the discussion of reparations and reparatory justice, and look forward to the dialogue that this issue engenders on and off Capitol Hill,” Jackson Lee added in a statement on Monday. Booker’s legislation comes as the issue of reparations for descendants of slaves has become a topic of debate among his fellow 2020 Democratic primary candidates, including Sens. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.). Several 2020 candidates, including Harris, former Rep. Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (D-Texas) and Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), said while speaking at the National Action Network event last week that they would sign a bill forming a reparation study commission into law if they become president.
Jackson Lee’s bill has picked up support in Congress, including from Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.). While it would form a commission to study the issue of reparations, it does not call for black Americans to receive payments.
Booker has also teamed up with Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) to expand the “10-20-30” model to apply to a broader set of federal accounts. The formula requires that federal programs to direct at least 10 percent of their funds to communities where at least 20 percent of the population has lived below the poverty line for at least the past 30 years. Click Here: cheap sydney roosters jersey