D.C. Reparations Law Takes Effect, Opening Door for Payments to Black Residents

A law letting the District of Columbia dole out reparations took effect Thursday after clearing the monthlong review period in a Republican-controlled Congress.

The D.C. Council can now study how to compensate Black residents who are descendants of slaves or have been affected by Jim Crow-era policies.

The law, authored by Kenyan McDuffie, at-large independent, doesn’t guarantee what the payments “or other forms of redress” would look like.

The statute gives that responsibility to a 12-member commission that has yet to be established.

All D.C. laws are subject to review by federal lawmakers, who have the constitutional authority to revoke legislation before it takes effect. (Read more from “D.C. Reparations Law Takes Effect, Opening Door for Payments to Black Residents” HERE)

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