House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the House voted to pass the controversial “Wait ‘Til I Get My Money Right Act” that the Senate passed last night. The bill will force Black consumers to spend “at least 30% of their income with Black-owned businesses." The bill will now go to the President to be signed into law.

“Tonight, the House of Representatives voted to strengthen Black businesses, invest in the Anderson’s Empowerment Experiment, and secure a better future for all Black Americans. In passing this bill, we have truly brought to pass what the late Marcus “Messiah” Garvey promised when he said, ‘look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, or a congressional bill.’

The more than one million Black businesses across the country applaud the bill. “This is fabulous! I am so excited!” said apple and sugar seller Thomas White (who is a Black man). “For five years I have been telling people that my apples are just as red and my sugar is just as sweet as Mr. Black’s but those negative Black folks refuse to listen. (Mr. Black is white)

The bill finally passed after days of bickering as Republicans wanted to include a “flogging” component that would allow local authorities to “publicly whip any Black person that did not meet the 30% quota each week.”

“A Black person that does not spend at least 30% of his earnings with Black-owned businesses needs to be beaten,” said Republican National Chairman Michael Steele. “I’d be willing to carry out the whippings personally.”

The Republicans failed to have that addendum included. 

The bill was championed by Black business-owners who have been pushing for a limited return to segregation since 1965 after they witnessed the aftermath of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the downfall of Jim Crow. 

"I know how crazy this may sound, but I was much better off, as a business man, when my neighbors were forced to spend money with me because they could not go downtown and buy their clothes and food," said Ezra Washington. "We was just supposed to be able to start using water fountains and bathrooms. Not start running our dollar out the community! They could have kept their water fountains and I ain't never been excited about smelling integrated fumes. Just give me my black dollar back."

Everyone is not a fan of the bill. Non Black-owned businesses, especially those in predominately Black communities warn that the bill will destroy their businesses. “This bill is my death sentence,” said Khalid Harry-Jung-Kim who owns warehouse that sells gasoline, hair care products, and Sweet and Sour Chicken. “I had plans to open more stores to earn enough money to send my 12 children to the best colleges, buy five more houses in the suburbs, increase my car collection to 40 cars and save money for my children’s children’s, children’s children. But now, I don’t know what I am going to do. How will I ever help my unborn great great grandchildren now.”