GOP bill would discourage but not ban chokeholds
Democrats say measure not ‘meaningful’ change
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a police reform package, 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 also 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.
While the legislation is expected to have broad support from Republicans, Democrats were quick to argue the measure does not go far enough in addressing sweeping change demanded by experts and activists. The legislation’s unveiling came as House Democrats move forward on their own bill that would end some police practices that have been factors in recent highprofile deaths of Black Americans and also takes 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, is planning 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 by the president.
Scott’s bill also would create new reporting requirements on the use of deadly force by officers and the use of no-knock warrants. It also addresses new training for officers and establishes 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 while there are clear differences in legislation being 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 also included a mandate that would make lynching a federal crime.
The biggest hurdle thus far 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 key changes sought by Democrats and one of the few that Republicans have dubbed a nonstarter.
Scott has called the issue a “poison pill” for any police reform 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.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the House’s bill “is going nowhere in the Senate,” calling the legislation “typical Democratic overreach.”
Democrats, however, were quick to argue Scott’s proposal doesn’t go far enough. 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. The “greatest flaw” in the Republicans’ bill, Schumer said, is that it was “missing real, meaningful accountability for individual officers’ misconduct.”