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Is The Reparations Bill Gaining New Momentum In Congress?

With Democrats now in control of the house, the likelihood of the legislation to go through appears to be pretty certain.
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WASHINGTON, DC – On the US Capitol east front plaza 116th Congressional freshman Representatives walk down the east-front stairs for the Member-Elect class photo on the Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Wednesday November 14, 2018. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
By Paula Rogo ·

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives with the goal to form a commission to study reparations for African Americans is getting major support.

With Democrats now in control of the house, the likelihood of the legislation to go through is pretty certain, California’s Rep. Karen Bass told The Hill.

“I don’t think there needs to be pressure, we’re in charge,” Bass said. “It’s being discussed, I’m sure we’re going to get there.”

The bill only calls for a study of possible reparations for slavery rather than actual payments.

The issue of reparations has picked up the pace on the campaign trail with 2020 hopefuls like Sens. Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in support of it.

This was not always the case. Former Rep. John Conyers Jr., for example, had introduced a reparations bill in every Congress since 1989 to no avail.


Is The Reparations Bill Gaining New Momentum In Congress?
FILE – In this Sept. 30, 2014 file photo. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee planned to announce the legislation at a news conference Thursday. Supporters include Jackson Lee, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Goodlatte, R-Va. and Michigan Rep. John Conyers, who is the panel’s top Democrat. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Now Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has taken up the mantle

“I do think it has traction,” she told The Hill. “People are not hesitating to openly support it and push for it. I think we have a very good chance of having a hearing some point.”