Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/40
Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

ID: P000617

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

January 3, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in legislative theater, courtesy of our esteemed representatives. HR 40, the "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act," is a masterclass in bureaucratic obfuscation and pandering.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to establish a commission to study the legacy of slavery and its ongoing impact on African Americans. Sounds noble, but let's not be fooled – this is just a vehicle for politicians to grandstand about their commitment to social justice while doing nothing concrete.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a commission with 13 members, including representatives from various government agencies, civil rights organizations, and academia. Their task? To study the history of slavery, its ongoing effects on African Americans, and propose reparations. Oh, and they'll also make recommendations for "racial healing, understanding, and transformation." How quaint.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: African American communities, civil rights organizations, and politicians looking to score points with their constituents. But let's not forget the real stakeholders – the ones who will actually benefit from this bill: the commission members themselves, who'll enjoy a nice paycheck and a chance to pad their resumes.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It won't address the systemic issues plaguing African American communities; it's just a feel-good measure designed to appease voters. The commission will likely produce a report that's heavy on rhetoric and light on concrete solutions. Meanwhile, politicians will tout their "commitment" to social justice while doing nothing to actually address the problems.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Legislative Theater-itis," a condition characterized by grandiose language, empty promises, and a complete lack of substance. The symptoms? A commission that's more focused on self-aggrandizement than actual problem-solving, and politicians who are more interested in scoring points than making meaningful change.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach for bureaucratic nonsense, and a willingness to call out the emperor's new clothes. Unfortunately, this bill will likely pass with flying colors, and we'll be left with another example of how our government excels at producing meaningless legislation.

Related Topics

Civil Rights & Liberties Transportation & Infrastructure National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs Government Operations & Accountability Federal Budget & Appropriations
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,500
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$68,500

No PAC contributions found

1
A ARMUSANDNEEBOM CONSULTING LLC
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
KAZIMI, ABBAS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MCGRATH, KATHLEEN
2 transactions
$6,600
3
ABRAMS, JEFFREY JACOB
2 transactions
$6,600
4
LOWERY, FRED
1 transaction
$5,800
5
SIMMONS, IAN
1 transaction
$3,300
6
HANNA, GABBY
1 transaction
$3,300
7
PATTULLO, BETSY
1 transaction
$3,300
8
MURRAY, GEORGIA
1 transaction
$3,300
9
KASSIM, SADIK
1 transaction
$3,300
10
ALSAWALHI, HEIAM J.
1 transaction
$3,300
11
SABIR, SAMEER AHMED
1 transaction
$3,300
12
KHALIL, NORA
1 transaction
$3,300
13
CLARKE, BARBARA
1 transaction
$3,300
14
JORDAN, WAYNE
1 transaction
$3,300
15
BEEUWKES, NANCY
1 transaction
$3,300
16
WATSON, ROSLYN
1 transaction
$3,300
17
JURVETSON, KARLA
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

ID: A000370

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Dec 14, 2023
2
NORDHOFF, HENRY L
Individual HARRISON, ID
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
3
BRUTTEN, MARC
BRIXTON CAPITAL CHAIRMAN
Individual SOLANA BEACH, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
4
NORDHOFF, ROBIN THARP
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual HARRISON, ID
$3,300
Apr 24, 2023
5
BROWN, REGINALD
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LAWYER
Individual ALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Aug 26, 2023
6
HAYDEN, RUFUS L
SELF EMPLOYED INVESTOR
Individual ALHAMBRA, CA
$3,300
Sep 13, 2023
7
SWORTWOOD, DONALD
SELF EMPLOYED INVESTOR
Individual SAN DIEGO, CA
$3,300
Sep 4, 2023
8
WERNER, RACHEL
CORNERSTONE LEGACY SELF EMPLOYED
Individual VALLEY, NE
$3,300
Sep 11, 2023
9
JETT, ANN L
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,500
Oct 6, 2023
10
JETT, THOMAS LAWRENCE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,500
Oct 6, 2023

Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

ID: B001318

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Jul 1, 2024
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Jul 1, 2024
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
May 30, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$6,600
Apr 22, 2024
5
COHEN, PETER
PARTNERSHIP FUND FOR NEW YORK CITY ATTORNEY
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Dec 12, 2023
6
WOHL, JANE E
Individual BRATTLEBORO, VT
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
7
WOHL, ELIZABETH
LAW FIRM ATTORNEY
Individual BRATTLEBORO, VT
$3,300
Dec 5, 2023
8
FERARI, KAIA
MUNOZ & CO ADMIN
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
9
WISHIK, HEATHER
NONE RETIRED
Individual WOODSTOCK, VT
$3,300
Dec 11, 2023
10
WOHL, BARRY
NORTHEAST WYOMING PEDIATRIC ASSOC PC PHYSICIAN
Individual SHERIDAN, WY
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

ID: B001300

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

ID: B001281

Top Contributors

10

1
EDWARDS, JEFFREY W.
INSTALLED BUILDING PRODUCTS/EDWARDS CO PRESIDENT, CEO, CHAIRMAN
Individual COLUMBUS, OH
$5,000
Oct 9, 2024
2
BANFIELD, WILLIAM
QUICKEN LOANS CHIEF RISK OFFICER
Individual ROCHESTER HILLS, MI
$3,300
May 1, 2024
3
COHEN, PHILIP
PRN FUNDING LLC MANAGEMENT
Individual PEPPER PIKE, OH
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
4
LAVINE, JEANNIE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
5
LAVINE, JONTHAN
BAIN CAPITAL INVESTOR
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
6
STOKES, RAVEN R
SELF MOTHER
Individual BEXLEY, OH
$3,300
Jun 12, 2024
7
WALKER, KIRT A
NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL PRESIDENT & CEO
Individual NEW ALBANY, OH
$3,300
May 29, 2024
8
WILLIAMS, CLIFTON
TAFT LAW LOBBYIST
Individual CHAGRIN FALLS, OH
$3,300
Aug 18, 2024
9
HUGHES, CARL F
CONLON PUBLIC STRATEGIES PUBLIC STRATEGIES
Individual MARION, OH
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
10
GILBERT, DAN
ROCKET MORTGAGE CEO
Individual DETROIT, MI
$3,300
Nov 16, 2023

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

ID: B001292

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$3,300
Nov 10, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$1,700
Nov 10, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Mar 26, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 7, 2023
5
CAFRITZ, JANE
CALVIN CAFRITZ ENTERPRISES MANAGER
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 2, 2024
6
HIRST, THOMSON M
N/A RETIRED
Individual ALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Oct 11, 2024
7
MURTAGH, PAUL
PRECISION X-RAY INC. BUSINESS OWNER
Individual ALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Oct 5, 2024
8
TOMPKINS, GRAVES
GENERAL ATLANTIC FINANCE
Individual BROOKLYN HGTS, NY
$3,300
Sep 29, 2024
9
MALLOY, GEOFFREY
MALLOY AUTO GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual MCLEAN, VA
$3,300
Jul 10, 2024
10
ARNOLD, LAURA
ARNOLD VENTURES CO-FOUNDER
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]

ID: B000490

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
Organization MANSURA, LA
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
Organization MANSURA, LA
$2,500
Oct 30, 2024
3
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Oct 28, 2024
4
DIMICCO, MARILYN J.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual WAXHAW, NC
$6,600
Mar 15, 2023
5
BRADSHAW, STANLEY
BRADSHAW CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Individual PINEHURST, NC
$5,800
Feb 12, 2023
6
MOTT, CHARLOTTE M.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual WAXHAW, NC
$5,800
Feb 6, 2023
7
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
ULINE CEO/OWNER
Individual LAKE FOREST, IL
$5,800
Jan 26, 2023
8
RUSSELL, NATHANIEL JAMES
NJR GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual ALBEMARLE, NC
$5,800
May 2, 2023
9
BEULEY, KENNETH R.
THE KEITH CORPORATION CFO
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$5,000
Mar 16, 2023
10
HENDLEY, JOHN
Individual MONROE, NC
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

ID: B001278

Top Contributors

10

1
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
Organization SILETZ, OR
$3,300
May 21, 2024
2
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
Organization SILETZ, OR
$3,300
May 21, 2024
3
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE
Organization GRAND RONDE, OR
$1,500
Nov 16, 2023
4
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE UMATILLA RESERVATION
Organization PENDLETON, OR
$1,500
Feb 15, 2024
5
MARGOLIN, PHILLIP
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PORTLAND, OR
$3,300
Oct 19, 2024
6
SHERMAN, JOHN LEE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PORTLAND, OR
$3,300
Nov 21, 2023
7
BRADLEY, KATHERINE
CITY BRIDGE FOUNDATION FOUNDING CHAIR
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 22, 2023
8
PAULSON, JANE S
PAULSON COLETTI ATTORNEY
Individual PORTLAND, OR
$3,300
Oct 4, 2023
9
MACQUEEN, MARJORIE
NONE NOT EMPLOYED
Individual TOLOVANA PARK, OR
$3,300
Jun 25, 2023
10
CHAPMAN, MATT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PORTLAND, OR
$3,300
Jun 4, 2023

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

ID: B001313

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
3
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 28, 2024
4
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Feb 23, 2024
5
MOORE, KENNETH
STUART, MOORE, STAUB, ATTORNEYS AT LAW ATTORNEY
Individual SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
6
CANNON, ANN C
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual CONCORD, NC
$2,500
Feb 26, 2024
7
DAWSON, JAMES
SELF SALES
Individual SEMORA, NC
$1,041
Dec 31, 2023
8
DOCKERY, RANDY
REMAX REALTOR
Individual MURPHY, NC
$1,041
Nov 17, 2023
9
KISTNER, ERIC
ERIC KISTNER ENTREPRENEURS
Individual KINGSPORT, TN
$1,041
Nov 22, 2023
10
FRYE, ANJANETTE
RCF PROPERTIES INC BROKER
Individual DAYTON, OH
$1,041
Feb 1, 2024

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

ID: B001285

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
3
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 28, 2024
4
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Feb 23, 2024
5
PRISELAC, TOM M.
CEDAR SINAI HEALTH SYSTEMS EXECUTIVE
Individual SANTA MONICA, CA
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
6
BUCHMAN, MICHELLE J.
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual CARBONDALE, CO
$3,300
Nov 18, 2023
7
CONROY, ROBERTA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SANTA MONICA, CA
$3,300
Dec 1, 2023
8
SAVAGE, KEVIN
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual BEVERLY HILLS, CA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
9
STEVENS, SETH R.
SOUTHERN CA PERMANENTE GROUP DERMATOLOGIST
Individual NEWBURY PARK, CA
$3,300
Oct 28, 2023
10
UNTERMAN, JANET M.
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

ID: C001072

Top Contributors

10

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 22, 2023
2
INDIANA IMPORT LLC
Organization FISHERS, IN
$1,000
Nov 11, 2023
3
MNAYMEH, HALA
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual CORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
4
DE LA CRUZ, FABIO
WESTON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PARTNER
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
5
KHAN, AZHER M
CALDERON TEXTILES PRESIDENT
Individual CARMEL, IN
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
6
HOGAN, ALAN P.
THE HOGAN GROUP, INC. CONSULTANT
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
7
JOHNSON, LACY M.
ICE MILLER ATTORNEY
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 16, 2023
8
STACK, ANN M.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
9
ABDALLA, MIKE A.
MAGNA PROPERTIES PRESIDENT
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
10
MAMOUN, IHSAN
SDI RADIOLOGY PHYSICIAN
Individual SEFFNER, FL
$3,300
Jan 23, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 34 nodes and 33 connections

Total contributions: $98,350

Top Donors - Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

1 Org17 Individuals