A resolution introduced by Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday has proposed reparations be paid to the descendants of slaves and people of African descent.
The resolution aims to close the “Black and white wealth gap,” which Rep. Cori Bush believes results from racist governmental policies. However, not all members of Congress support the proposal, with Republican Rep.
Kat Cammack dismissed it as “woke ideology” and Rep. Chip Roy described the notion of reparations as “absurd.” Rep. Gary Palmer has expressed concern over the financial impact of the proposal.
The funding for reparations has not yet been disclosed. A 2021 Pew Research Center survey revealed that only three in 10 US adults believe that descendants of slaves should be repaid, with 77% of Black Americans supporting reparations. Rep.
Jamaal Bowman argues that the federal government needs to be accountable for policies that have continued to inflict harm on Black Americans.
He praised California for being a leader in the reparations debate, while Cammack highlighted that slavery was never legal in California.
