WATCH: House Judiciary Committee Hearing Erupts After Democrats Call For Reparations For Slavery

Democrats call for measures to address America’s 'original sin'

ABOVE VIDEO: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, discusses the ramifications of slavery during House Judiciary Committee hearing. The Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties subcommittee held the hearing on H.R. 40 — a bill by Jackson-Lee, to set up a commission to study and develop a response to the question of reparations for slavery. (Fox News video)

(FOX NEWS) – The question of slavery reparations for black Americans was the subject of a fiery and emotional House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday as Democrats called for measures to address America’s “original sin” — while Republicans described such payments as an “injustice” and “almost certainly unconstitutional.”

The Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties subcommittee held the hearing on H.R. 40 — a bill by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, to set up a commission to study and develop a response to the question of reparations for slavery.

Democrats such as former President Barack Obama and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton opposed such a costly plan in the past.

But amid a steady shift in the party to the left, the issue has been given new life with endorsements from 2020 hopefuls and others — though details remain vague as to what form such reparations should take, with estimates for a controversial direct payment to slave descendants running into the trillions.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE ON FOX NEWS>>>

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories