House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said that he takes issue with using reparations to lessen racial inequality, as 2020 candidates have come out in favor of the idea, The Post and Courier reported Tuesday.
Clyburn, the highest ranking African-American congressman, told the newspaper he thinks "pure reparations would be impossible to implement.”
He also said he was opposed to "opportunity zones," an idea promoted by Sen. Tim Scott
Timothy (Tim) Eugene ScottGOP senator calls Biden's COVID-19 relief plan a 'non-starter' GOP senator questions constitutionality of an impeachment trial after Trump leaves office Biden's minimum wage push faces uphill battle with GOP MORE (R-S.C.). He told the Post and Courier that this concept, giving tax incentives to developers who work in low-income neighborhoods, "smoke and mirrors.”
The Hill has reached out to Clyburn's office for comment.
Sens. Kamala Harris
Kamala HarrisHarris takes up temporary residence at Blair House Amanda Gorman captures national interest after inauguration performance Democrats formally elect Harrison as new DNC chair MORE (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden's Interior Department temporarily blocks new drilling on public lands | Group of GOP senators seeks to block Biden moves on Paris, Keystone | Judge grants preliminary approval for 0M Flint water crisis settlement Senate approves waiver for Biden's Pentagon nominee House approves waiver for Biden's Pentagon nominee MORE (D-Mass.), as well as former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro said they support giving reparations to black Americans who were affected by slavery. Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersFormer Sanders spokesperson: Biden 'backing away' from 'populist offerings' Amanda Gorman captures national interest after inauguration performance Woman who made Sanders's mittens says she's sold out MORE (I-Vt.), who is also running for the Democratic nomination, said he opposes the idea.
The support for reparations among major candidates indicates a leftward shift since 2016. In that election, nominee Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonSamantha Power's Herculean task: Turning a screw with a rubber screwdriver Beau Biden Foundation to deny lobbyist donations, make major donors public Whoopi Goldberg wears 'my vice president' shirt day after inauguration MORE did not express support for reparations. Former President Barack Obama
Barack Hussein ObamaFormer Sanders spokesperson: Biden 'backing away' from 'populist offerings' Amanda Gorman captures national interest after inauguration performance Riding to the rescue on climate, the Biden administration needs powerful partners MORE also did not promote the idea.
Black voters are expected to be a key demographic in the Democratic primary and the crowded field of candidates are likely to fight hard to win black votes.
Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenRev. Barber says best way to undercut extremism is with honesty Biden requires international travelers to quarantine upon arrival to US Overnight Defense: House approves waiver for Biden's Pentagon nominee | Biden to seek five-year extension of key arms control pact with Russia | Two more US service members killed by COVID-19 MORE, who has not announced a 2020 bid, appear to be leading the field in recent polls. Harris placed third in a poll released Tuesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiOvernight Health Care: Biden unveils virus plan and urges patience | Fauci says it's 'liberating' working under Biden | House to move quickly on COVID-19 relief Overnight Defense: House approves waiver for Biden's Pentagon nominee | Biden to seek five-year extension of key arms control pact with Russia | Two more US service members killed by COVID-19 On The Money: Pelosi says House will move immediately on COVID-19 relief | Biden faces backlash over debt | 900,000 more Americans file for unemployment benefits MORE said on Wednesday that she supports studying the issue of reparations for slavery.
