WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a resolution apologizing to African-Americans for the wrongs of slavery . The nonbinding resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin , D-Iowa , is similar to a House resolution adopted last year that acknowledged the wrongs of slavery but offered no reparations . The House will have to vote on the issue again because the composition of that chamber changed after last November 's elections . The resolution was approved on a voice vote . Because it is nonbinding , it does not have to be forwarded to the president for his signature . Several states have passed similar resolutions , but the House resolution was the first time a branch of the federal government did so . Harkin 's resolution `` acknowledges the fundamental injustice , cruelty , brutality and inhumanity of slavery , and Jim Crow laws , '' and `` apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws . '' Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted mostly in U.S. Southern and border states between the 1870s and 1965 that denied African-Americans the right to vote and other civil liberties , as well as legally segregated them from whites . Some members of the African-American community have called on lawmakers to give cash payments or other financial benefits to descendants of slaves as compensation for the suffering caused by slavery .
Resolution acknowledges the abolition of slavery but makes no reparations . House must vote again because members have changed since resolution passed . Resolution is nonbinding , does not need to be submitted to vote .