Declaring unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination and providing for the establishment of a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation charged with eliminating racism and invidious discrimination.

Whereas this resolution may be cited as the original resolution declaring unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination and providing for the establishment of a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation; Whereas this resolution is presented in the spirit of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who—on January 8, 1964, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, during a time of great turmoil—proclaimed, This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America … Our aim is not only to relieve the symptoms of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it. Whereas President Barack Obama indicated, In fact, if we hadn’t declared unconditional war on poverty in America, Whereas some of the programs produced by the War on Poverty include Medicaid, Medicare, expanded Social Security, and Head Start—all of which are still needed today; Whereas racism and invidious discrimination—like poverty in 1964—remain pervasive in our country; Whereas history is replete with examples of victims of racism and invidious discrimination being denied life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; Whereas systemic and institutionalized racism and invidious discrimination exist in virtually all areas of American life, including policing, criminal justice, housing, banking, voting, employment, education, the environment, and health care; and Whereas the protestations in the aftermath of the tragic death of George Floyd are a clear indication that it has become necessary for Congress to take decisive, immediate and long-term legislative action to address the elimination of racism and invidious discrimination: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) condemns racism and invidious discrimination as evil and antithetical to the United States Constitution; (2) declares unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination in America and will provide the resources and funding for their defeat; and (3) shall pass legislation establishing a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation charged with ending racism and invidious discrimination, developing and coordinating the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate racism and invidious discrimination, with a budget that shall be the equivalent of not less than 10 percent of the Defense Department’s budget, and headed by a Secretary of Reconciliation appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate who shall make semi-annual progress reports to Congress.

Summary: This resolution condemns racism and invidious discrimination as evil and antithetical to the U.S. Constitution and declares unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination in America. (Invidious discrimination generally refers to discrimination based on a classification that is arbitrary or irrational and not related to a legitimate purpose.) The resolution also expresses the intention of the House of Representatives to pass legislation establishing a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation. The department shall be charged with developing and coordinating the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate racism and invidious discrimination.