H.R. 10546: Confronting and Correcting Historical Injustices Act

This bill would create a new federal Commission for Review and Correction of Historical Injustices to examine past cases where the federal government is alleged to have treated people unfairly or discriminated against them.

What the commission would do

• Review instances of “historical injustice.”
• Review cases where a federal agency is alleged to have unfairly discriminated against people protected under the Civil Rights Act, the Rehabilitation Act, or members of the uniformed services, especially where that led to a discriminatory charge, conviction, or dismissal.
• Review cases where a person or group suffered discrimination by a federal agency and did not receive compensation for it.
• Create a public process, within 90 days of enactment, so people can submit examples of discrimination for the commission to consider.
• Decide within 180 days after a submission whether to review it or decline to take it up.

How the commission would be set up

• The commission would have 8 members: two appointed by each of the House and Senate leaders from both parties.
• Members would be chosen from people with experience in civil rights, history, law, or related fields.
• The commission would meet at least quarterly and select its own chair.
• It would have a director and at least 11 additional staff members.
• The director and staff would have civil service protections.

Investigation and reporting

• The commission could work with historians, researchers, students, community members, and people directly affected by discrimination.
• It could investigate matters brought to its attention and issue subpoenas to federal agencies if a majority of the commission agrees.
• It would have to send Congress regular reports starting 90 days after enactment and then quarterly.
• Those reports would include:
  • possible alternatives to a pardon process, such as exoneration or forgiveness,
  • which cases were reviewed, and
  • recommendations for legislative or executive action.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would create a formal federal review body focused on identifying past government discrimination, collecting public submissions, investigating selected cases, and recommending possible remedies or policy changes. It does not itself provide compensation or overturn decisions directly; instead, it establishes a process for review and recommendations.

Relevant Companies

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