Bills · HR 4228
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4228Crime and Law Enforcement
Original Justice for living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa/Greenwood Race Massacre Act
INTRO JUN 27· LAST ACTION JUN 27
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
17
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThe Americans most directly affected by this bill would be the extremely few individuals who are still alive today and can prove they are survivors of the 1921 Tulsa/Greenwood Race Massacre. As noted in the bill, only two known survivors, Viola Ford Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, are currently recognized, both over 110 years old. They would receive a direct financial payment as outlined.
Indirectly, their families and descendants might also be affected by this recognition and compensation for historical injustice. The bill also has implications for the broader American public by addressing a long-standing historical grievance and setting a potential precedent for federal government responsibility in similar cases.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay $10,398,368 in compensatory damages and $10,398,368 in punitive damages to each living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
This provision establishes a specific monetary compensation for the survivors, addressing long-standing calls for reparations.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights to certify payments upon receiving a birth certificate from an individual, without requiring additional information.
This streamlines the process for eligible survivors to receive payment, recognizing their advanced age and the historical context.
PROVISION 03
States that payments will be made from the Judgment Fund, a standing appropriation used to pay certain legal judgments against the U.S. government.
This specifies the source of funding, indicating that the payments would draw from an existing government fund rather than requiring a new appropriation.
PROVISION 04
Declares that these payments will be in full satisfaction of all claims a living survivor may have against the United States for the harm described.
This provision clarifies that the compensation is a final settlement, precluding future federal claims related to the massacre.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 17
D· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
—
BILLS LED
53
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 17 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 27
Introduced in House
JUN 27
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4228
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 27, 2025
Last actionJun 27, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 27, 2025
House BillHR 4228Crime and Law Enforcement
Original Justice for living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa/Greenwood Race Massacre Act
INTRODUCED JUN 27, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 27, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
17
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
