U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on June 3 signed on as a cosponsor of the bipartisan Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act.
“In order to make genuine progress toward the American ideal of ensuring that all of us, regardless of race, are created – and treated – equally, we have to take action,” Sen. Collins said, adding that the bipartisan bill “would provide a way to help our government confront and work to eliminate the racial disparities across the country. I urge my colleagues to follow their lead.”
S. 2163, introduced in July 2019 by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), would establish the commission within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and recommend policies to improve current government programs.
Specifically, the measure would establish a bipartisan commission to recommend policies to augment current government programs. It would consist of 19 members, including congressional members, federal agency experts and appointed subject issue area experts, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.
Additionally, the commission would investigate civil rights violations affecting black males and study the existing disparities in education, criminal justice, health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship and violence, the summary says.
The commission also would be tasked with producing an annual report to address the current conditions affecting black men and boys and make recommendations to improve the social conditions and provide vital guidance for Congress on effective strategies to reduce the racial disparities in education, criminal justice, health and employment, according to the summary, which notes that the report would be submitted to the president and cabinet members, as well as Congress and appropriate committee chairs.