House Democrats pass police reform
Final passage in doubt as parties in stalemate
WASHINGTON — House Democrats used the one-month anniversary of George Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis policeman to pass a sweeping law enforcement reform bill Thursday that would ban tactics such as chokeholds and make it easier to prosecute officers for misconduct.
The bill passed mostly along party lines, 236-181, with the Nevada delegation following party leaders.
Rep. Steven Horsford, D-nev., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said on the floor of the House that “during this moment of national anguish, we must insist on bold change.”
Passage of the bill comes one day after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican version of the legislation, saying it didn’t go far enough to provide changes sought by thousands of Americans protesting in cities across the nation, including Las Vegas, over police brutality.
And negotiations between party leaders appeared at a stalemate, casting doubt about whether a final bill will be passed next week.
Still, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-calif., used the occasion of Floyd’s death to build support for the Democratic bill she said would provide greater transparency and accountability from the police.
The House named its bill the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act as a tribute.
Both parties have tried to address the problem of racial inequality in policing with different bills.
Republicans put forward a bill by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the only African American member of the GOP in the Senate, that would require training and form a commission to study current practices.
That bill was blocked by Democrats in the Senate, who rallied behind a bill by Sens. Kamala Harris, D-calif., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., the only Democratic Black members in the
Senate, which outlined stronger measures to stop police misconduct and use of chokeholds and no-knock raids to serve drug warrants.
Senate Democrats want Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., to allow the Senate Judiciary Committee to craft compromise legislation that can pass in the Senate and House.
“I think the country demands it,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-nev., said of the stalemate and the need for compromise. “I don’t think we can walk away from it.”
During debate on the House bill by the Judiciary Committee, George Floyd’s brother urged Congress to act to ensure that his brother’s death was not in vain.
House Minority Leader Kevin Mccarthy, R-calif., said Republicans followed that ideal in their bills in the House and Senate to build on civil rights and opportunities for minorities.
Mccarthy accused Democrats of putting “politics over people.”
Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@ reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.