With America facing many critical issues this year, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) believes that a bill designed to pass out reparations to millions of Black Americans should also be at the top of the list.
The bill would allow the federal government to spend $14 trillion on a reparations program to support the descendents of Black slaves and those of African descent, according to the New York Post.
The “Squad” member went on to compare the idea of reparations to COVID-19 relief. Bowman stated that since Congress came up with relief funds for the American people, they can do the same for Black Americans.
“When COVID was destroying us, we invested in the American people in a way that kept the economy afloat,” Bowman said. “The government can invest the same way in reparations without raising taxes on anyone.”
“Where did the money come from?” Bowman continued. “We spent it into existence.”
JUST IN: Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a "Squad" member from New York, is advocating for a $14 trillion reparations measure for slavery's descendants.
Creating trillions out of thin air? So, money just magically appears now it seems.
He argues that the government can fund this without… pic.twitter.com/WFhjjnPHkY
— Hank (@GCapital_LLC) January 18, 2024
The bill was originally proposed by Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) last May. It claims that the U.S. government has a “moral and legal obligation” to provide reparations because slavery caused long lasting harm to the millions of Black Americans currently living in the country.
“Whereas Black people are, and have always been, human beings, yet the Federal Government has historically failed to recognize our dignity and humanity,” the bill states. “The Federal Government must compensate descendants of enslaved Black people and people of African descent.”
Though $14 trillion is a lot of money, Bowman suggested that it wouldn’t have to all be paid upfront. He suggested that the payments could be spread out between five to 20 years.
While Americans are being hit with high inflation rates, finding it difficult to afford rent and mortgage payments, and the crisis at the southern border, some Democrats are more concerned about giving out money to people who never directly experienced or suffered from slavery.
It appears that Bowman and the eight other Democrats in favor of the bill failed to realize that many White Americans are also descendents of enslaved Africans, meaning they should be entitled to part of the $14 trillion as well.
