A sweeping new proposal to provide reparations for Black Americans has returned to the national spotlight, as Representative Summer Lee reintroduced the “Reparations Now Resolution” in Congress. The plan carries a staggering estimated cost of $14 trillion—an amount that exceeds the total annual U.S. federal budget.
The resolution aims to compensate descendants of enslaved individuals for the enduring impact of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism. Supporters argue that such restitution is not only a moral obligation but a necessary policy measure to address centuries of economic exclusion and racial injustice.
The bill proposes direct payments and structural reforms targeting disparities in housing, education, and healthcare. Advocates say the funds would help close the racial wealth gap and deliver long-overdue equity to communities historically disadvantaged by discriminatory policies.
Alongside Lee, prominent progressive lawmakers are backing the measure, insisting that symbolic acknowledgments are no longer enough. They frame the resolution as a historic opportunity to deliver material justice.
However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism over its unprecedented price tag and feasibility. Fiscal conservatives argue the plan would overwhelm the national budget and fuel inflation. Others question the logistics of determining eligibility and implementing such a massive redistribution effort.
With a Republican majority in the House, the resolution faces steep political resistance and is unlikely to advance in its current form. Still, its reintroduction has reignited fierce debate across the country over how the nation should confront its legacy of racial injustice—and who should bear the cost.