GOP bill to discourage but not ban chokeholds
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans unveiled a police policy package Wednesday, teeing up what could be a contentious debate with Democrats over how to address the changes demanded by many Americans in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and widespread protests over police brutality and systemic racism.
Led by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. – the chamber’s lone Black Republican – the bill includes measures aimed at increasing transparency at police agencies and around use-of-force incidents while incentivizing departments to use body cameras and ban chokeholds by withholding federal grant money.
“Too often we’re having a discussion in this nation about are you supporting the law enforcement community or are you supporting communities of color. This is a false binary choice,” Scott said at a news conference unveiling his bill Wednesday.
Though the legislation is likely to have broad support from Republicans and has garnered the support of the president, Democrats argued the measure does not go far enough in addressing sweeping change demanded by experts and activists. House Democrats moved forward on their own bill that would end some police practices that have been factors in high-profile deaths of Black Americans. Their plan would also take away protections that shield officers from lawsuits after misconduct.
The House Judiciary Committee debated the Democratic proposal and any changes to the sweeping legislation before the chamber votes on it next week. The Senate, similarly, plans to vote on its bill next week. The chambers have yet to find a middle ground, which will be essential before any changes are signed into law.
Scott’s bill would create reporting requirements on the use of deadly force by officers and the use of noknock warrants. It addresses new training for officers and would establish a commission to study how Black men and boys are affected by a host of issues, including education and criminal justice.
“I support America, and if you support America, you support restoring the confidence that communities of color have in institutions of authority. You support America, that means you know that the overwhelming number of officers in this nation want to do their job, go home to their family. It is not a binary choice,” he said.
Scott and others have acknowledged that although there are clear differences in legislation pursued by Republicans and Democrats, both parties have interest in tackling the issue of chokeholds and requiring more data from police departments. Bills by both parties have included a mandate that would make lynching a federal crime.
The biggest hurdle has been the issue of qualified immunity, the protection that shields police and other public officials from lawsuits if accused of misconduct. The issue has been one of the changes sought by Democrats and one of the few that Republicans have dubbed a nonstarter.
Scott called the issue a “poison pill” for any police bills – the White House has voiced opposition to it – but said he and other Republicans are open to hearing alternatives on the issue of holding police officers accountable.
“We fully support the Scott bill and every element of it,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday afternoon.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., encouraged Senate Democrats to back the legislation rather than “just sparring back and forth.”
“Sen. Scott has made it possible for those of us in the Senate Republican conference who are not African American to understand that this problem still exists,” McConnell said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the legislation will need “dramatic improvement.”
“The Senate Republican proposal on policing does not rise to the moment,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.