Democratic ‘Squad’ member Bowman pitches paying for $14 trillion reparations program by spending it ‘into existence’

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) said he believes the federal government can pay for $14 trillion in reparations by spending it “into existence,” borrowing strategies from recent expensive government expenditures. The pricey federal reparations proposal for black people who are descendants of slaves was introduced in May 2023 by Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and nine other House Democrats, arguing the country has a “moral and legal obligation to provide reparations” for past enslavement of black people. Bowman told the Journal News that Congress can pay for the program similar to COVID-19 relief programs in 2020 and 2021. “When COVID was destroying us, we invested in the American people in a way that kept the economy afloat,” Bowman told the outlet. “The government can invest the same way in reparations without raising taxes on anyone.” The New York Democrat also told the outlet that the government spent COVID-19 funds into existence and that Congress could do it for reparations. “Where did the money come from?” Bowman added. “We spent it into existence.” Bowman also said that payments can be made over time, arguing the $14 trillion does not need to be paid “in one shot.” “It might be possible for it to...