MD General Assembly Overrides Wes Moore’s Veto on Reparations Commission. Nations Only Black Governor Promotes the On Going Smiling Face while Opposing Restitution Owed to Blacks for Unjust Enrichment

From [HERE] Studies on reparations and climate change in Maryland now won’t have to clear major state legislative hurdles, thanks to the General Assembly’s override of a slew of bills on Tuesday.

The overrides took place after the Maryland General Assembly convened to elect Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, the new Speaker of the House of Delegates. The lawmakers reconsidered various bills vetoed by Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, before ultimately overriding 18, including notable legislation to establish the Maryland Reparations Commission. 

The bill, a priority of the Legislative Black Caucus during the 2025 regular legislative session, would establish the commission to take two years to delve into research to determine if Marylanders whose families were impacted by slavery or unjust government policies should receive reparations.

Moore shocked the legislature when he, the state’s first Black governor, vetoed the legislation, which passed with overwhelming Democratic approval in both chambers. This move was part of a broader break from his norm: In past years, he only vetoed a handful of bills after each session. In 2025, though, he prevented 29 from becoming law.

“I will always protect and defend the full history of African Americans in our state and country,” Moore said in his May letter vetoing the reparations commission bill. “But in light of the many important studies that have taken place on this issue over nearly three decades, now is the time to focus on the work itself: Narrowing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education.”

Arguing for the override in his chamber, Sen. Charles Sydnor, D-Baltimore County, said reversing Moore’s veto “does not stop the governor from acting on those topics he has expressed support for.”

“The recommendations will ensure that, when Maryland acts specifically in the name of reparations, it does so with clarity, credibility and permanence,” he said. “If the legislature or community leaders want a durable, defensible roadmap for redress, a focused commission remains the appropriate mechanism to convert fragment studies into coordinated recommendations.”

No further debate took place in the chamber after Sydnor sat down. The veto was overridden on a margin of 31-14. [MORE]