On June 22, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee advanced H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s ongoing reckoning with the legacy of slavery and systemic racism. First introduced this session by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D–MA) on January 3, the legislation has garnered support from 81 co-sponsors and civil rights groups nationwide.
The bill seeks to establish a federal commission tasked with examining the enduring impacts of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and contemporary racial discrimination. This 13-member body would be empowered to hold public hearings across the United States, gather expert and community testimony, review historical records, and issue a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for Congress and the President.
This marks the furthest H.R. 40 has advanced in Congress since its inception over three decades ago. While previous versions of the bill have been introduced annually since 1989—originally by the late Rep. John Conyers—the 2025 reintroduction has benefited from a renewed push for racial equity, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 racial justice protests and the continued national discourse on reparations.
During the committee session, lawmakers and community advocates emphasized that reparations encompass more than just monetary compensation. Pressley and others framed the measure as a catalyst for “truth, healing, and policy transformation.” Civil rights leaders held concurrent press briefings in Washington, DC, where they discussed the need for a formal process that confronts the historical injustices rooted in slavery and the systemic inequalities that persist today.
“The pain of the past remains deeply embedded in the present,” Pressley said during remarks on the House floor. “This commission will give us the tools to repair the damage and build a more equitable future.”
The proposed commission would investigate not only the historical roots of systemic racism but also its modern manifestations. Its scope includes exploring disparities in income and wealth, health outcomes, access to education, housing discrimination, and criminal justice inequities—all areas where Black Americans continue to experience disproportionate harm.
Speakers at the June 22 committee hearing included historians, economists, and descendants of enslaved individuals. They presented compelling data and personal accounts that underscored how past injustices continue to shape economic and social outcomes for African-American communities. One testifier, a public health expert from Atlanta, described the generational impact of housing redlining and healthcare access gaps. Another, a student from New Orleans, testified about the persistent achievement gap in education and its ties to historic disenfranchisement.
Support for the bill has grown beyond traditional progressive circles. Several moderate lawmakers joined Pressley’s effort, acknowledging that while reparations remain a complex issue, the country must at least begin a formal study process. In addition to press briefings, civil society organizations like the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA) and the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC) have mobilized public support, including petitions and educational campaigns designed to raise awareness among voters and policymakers alike.
Despite this momentum, challenges remain. The legislation now moves to the full House for a vote, where it is expected to pass along mostly party lines. The real test lies in the Senate, where the bill’s prospects are less certain. A companion Senate bill, S. 40, sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker (D–NJ), has yet to advance past committee.
Opponents of the bill have cited concerns over potential costs, political divisiveness, and constitutional questions. However, supporters stress that H.R. 40 does not itself implement reparations but simply establishes a commission to study and recommend proposals—an important distinction aimed at fostering bipartisan support for a fact-based inquiry.
Legal scholars have also weighed in, noting the precedent of reparative efforts by the U.S. government, such as the 1988 Civil Liberties Act that compensated Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Advocates argue that acknowledging and addressing slavery’s long tail of consequences through a formal commission is both a moral imperative and a step toward a more just society.
If passed, H.R. 40 would represent a pivotal moment in American history—an official recognition that the harms of slavery and systemic racism merit not only acknowledgment but careful study and policy redress. As Rep. Pressley summarized: “Reparations are not just about repairing the past. They’re about building a future where equity is real, and justice is for everyone.”
