White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond told “Axios on HBO” that it is “doable” for President Biden to make first-term progress in removing barriers to people of color as Congress examines reparations for slavery .
Why it matters: Biden said on the campaign trail that he supports the creation of a committee to study and develop proposals for reparations – direct payments for African Americans.
A House panel heard testimony about the legislation last week.
- “I think [creation of a commission] will pass, “Richmond said.
What they say: Richmond said that while the timeline for the committee is not known, “if you start talking about free tuition [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] and you start talking about free community college in Title I and all that stuff, I think you’re well on your way. “
- “We need to start breaking down systemic racism and barriers that have held back people of color, especially African Americans,” he said.[W]we have to do things now. “
What’s next: Richmond pointed to an executive action by Biden to “remove barriers in housing, ensure that African Americans can pass on wealth through home ownership, that their homes are valued no less than homes in different communities just because of the neighborhood they are in.”
- “We don’t want to wait for a study,” he said. “We’re going to act now.”
Watch an excerpt from the interview.