Prospects decline for deal to revamp policing practices

WASHINGTON — The chances of a bipartisan Senate deal on overhauling policing practices appear increasingly faint as deadlocked lawmakers have fled the Capitol for August recess and political pressure for an accord eases with each passing week.

Bargainers insist they’re still talking and haven’t abandoned hope, though they’ve repeatedly blown past selfimposed deadlines. This spring, President Biden pumped momentum into talks with a nationally televised address telling Congress to “get it done” by May 25, the anniversary of a Minneapolis police officer’s killing of George Floyd, a Black man. That didn’t happen.

Now, Washington’s focus is shifting to Biden’s drive to spend trillions on social, environmental and public works programs, one of many budget showdowns that will clog Congress’ autumn calendar. With next year’s elections for House and Senate control edging closer, both parties are increasingly compelled to stock up on issues they can use against their rivals, weakening the political will for compromise.

“We all have to make sure we don’t lose this moment,” said Ben Crump, an attorney representing the families of Floyd and other Black victims of police shootings.

The Senate’s policing talks are aimed at writing compromise legislation curbing law enforcement agencies’ use of force and making them more accountable for abuses.

For months, bargainers have been stymied over Democrats’ demands to make

An instructor playing the role of a suspect sticks up her hands last month during a training exercise administered by the Criminal Justice Training Commission in Burien, Wash.

individual police officers accused of abuses liable for civil penalties. It’s currently difficult to pursue such actions in all but the most egregious cases. Republicans and law enforcement groups like the Fraternal Order of Police have resisted easing those limitations.

Negotiators are also divided over whether to ease the standards for bringing criminal

cases against officers for excessive use of force.

“I had hoped that we’d be done by now, but we are still trading paper and making incremental progress,” said South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the chief Republican negotiator.

Scott’s Democratic counterpart, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, would say little. “I’m just putting my head down

and getting the work done as quickly as we can,” he said.

The issue played prominently in congressional campaigns last fall, with Democrats appealing to voters who want restraints on police practices while Republicans focused on fear of rising crime.

Ted S. Warren / Associated Press