Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act
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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
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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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
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
ID: B001318
Top Contributors
10
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
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
ID: B001292
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]
ID: B000490
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
ID: B001278
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
ID: B001313
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
ID: B001285
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
ID: C001072
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
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