Rep. Summer Lee Warns Black Voters May Stop Voting Without Reparations

Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) warned during a Sunday interview that Black Americans may stop voting if reparations are not addressed. She argued that a lack of reparations could lead to disenfranchisement and disengagement from the political system. 'They are playing psychological warfare with us,' Lee said, accusing opponents of trying to discourage participation. 'If you believe you're never going to get reparations from this system, then you tap out,' she added. Lee reintroduced a resolution in May that could allocate federal funds to descendants of enslaved people. Former Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) previously introduced a $14 trillion reparations bill in 2023, but it did not advance. Lee also criticized Democratic colleagues for not supporting reparations efforts, stating, 'I'm not shocked that my colleagues are not on it.' She emphasized the need to keep external communities engaged in the fight for reparations.