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Miami, FL —  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded President Donald Trump for signing the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act (S.2163) into law. The new law establishes the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys within the United States Commission on Civil Rights’ Office and is tasked with recommending policies to improve current government programs. Rubio partnered with Representative Frederica Wilson (D-FL) to usher the bill through the House and Senate earlier this year.

“America is more successful when its citizens have equal access to economic opportunity and prosperity, and this is particularly relevant for young black men,” Rubio said. “For too long, our nation has ignored this challenge. I am grateful for Representative Frederica Wilson, and her decades-long partnership on these critical issues, and I applaud the President for signing our bill into law. 

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that we take action to address the racial inequities that continue to plague our nation,” Rubio continued. “As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, we will need to rely on the talents and contributions of every American. I look forward to the work the Commission will do to address the racial and economic disparities affecting our communities today.”

Specifically, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act will recommend policies to improve upon, or augment, current government programs. The bipartisan Commission will include Members of Congress, federal agency experts, and appointed subject issue area experts. The Commission will investigate potential civil rights violations affecting black males and study the disparities they experience in education, criminal justice, health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship and violence. The Commission will be responsible for 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. The report will be submitted to the President, Congress, members of the President’s Cabinet, and the chairs of the appropriate committees of jurisdiction, and be publicly available online on a centralized Federal website. The bill does not authorize any appropriations, and members of the Commission serve without compensation.

The bill is in line with the 2006 established Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, which Rubio worked on while in the state legislature, including appointing members as Speaker of the Florida House.