Associated Press
A Republican policing bill hit a roadblock Wednesday as Senate Democrats voted against it as inadequate, leaving the parties to decide whether to negotiate a compromise or walk away despite public outcry over the killings of Black Americans.
The impasse threatens to turn the nationwide protests over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others into another moment that galvanizes the nation but leaves lawmakers unable to act. Common ground is not out of reach.
But the legislation is stalled, for now, with Democrats refusing to agree to open debate as they push for greater changes in police tactics and accountability.
“If you don’t think we’re right, make it better, don’t walk away,” implored Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican senator, and the author of the GOP bill.
Yet the outlook is deeply uncertain with Congress unable to swiftly respond even as the public demands policing changes. Much as lawmakers have failed to act during times of crisis on gun control or immigration changes there’s a familiar standoff despite broad support. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows almost all Americans support some degree of criminal justice changes.
Ahead of the vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, “My hope, my prayer, is that after this bill fails today… we can start on the path of bipartisanship.”
The GOP’s Justice Act is seen by Republicans and Democrats as a starting point in the broader debate over how best to change policing practices as demonstrations in cities large and small focus on law enforcement and racial injustice. It would create a national database of police use-of-force incidents, restrict police chokeholds and set up new training procedures and commissions to study race and law enforcement.
The package from Republicans is not as sweeping as a Democratic proposal, which mandates many of the changes and would hold police liable to damages in lawsuits. There are similarities on some issues, lawmakers say, but also vast differences.
With the Democratic bill headed for a House vote Thursday, support is growing from high-profile backers. Hundreds of celebrities, actors, musicians and industry leaders including Rihanna, RZA, Elon Musk and mayors from cities nationwide signed on to a support letter obtained by The Associated Press and being released Wednesday.
Civil rights leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus urged a no vote on the GOP bill. Law enforcement and business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have urged both parties to find common ground.
Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Trump tweeted his support for the GOP bill. He said it would be “great for both people of color and police.” Trump tweeted, “Hope to sign it into law ASAP!”
Vice President Mike Pence was set to huddle Wednesday with GOP senators at lunch.
The vote was 55-45, failing to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to advance. Two Democrats, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, along with Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, voted with Republicans to open the debate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Democrats as engaging in “political nonsense.” Still, he vowed to try again, hoping to pass legislation before a July 4 holiday recess. McConnell switched his vote to no, a procedural move so he could swiftly bring it back for reconsideration.
During a GOP lunch Tuesday, Scott played for colleagues the racist voice mail messages he has recently received, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Senators were shocked, and some suggested Scott needs security protection because some of the calls were threatening, said a Scott aide. The senator is considering options, his aide said.
As talks potentially continue, Democrats are trying to force Republicans to the negotiating table to strengthen Democrats’ hand. The House is set to approve the Democrats’ bill later this week. The two bills, the House and Senate versions, would ultimately need to be the same to become law.
Neither bill goes as far as some activists want with calls to defund the police and shift resources to other community services.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated she is eager to enter talks with the Senate, a signal the door is not closed to compromise.
But in a CBS News Radio interview Tuesday, Pelosi said Republicans need to step up with a better bill. “They were trying to get away with murder, actually — the murder of George Floyd.”
The comment drew sharp rebuke and calls from Republicans for her to apologize.
“We’re ready to make a law, not just make a point,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate on Tuesday. He said Americans “deserve better than a partisan stalemate.”
Political risks of inaction are high, as the public wants to see policing changes after nearly a month of constant demonstrations nationwide, in cities large and small, forcing a worldwide reckoning over law enforcement and racial injustice.
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Republished with permission from The Associated Press.
5 comments
Sonja Fitch
June 24, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Omg what a joke a gop justice bill!!!! Trump and Barr both are criminals. Lock em up! This is just another goptrump cult sociopath racist sexist bs!
martin
June 26, 2020 at 7:08 am
Lets make sense instead of the same gum flapping from the poster above.
1. The police unions need to be dismantled. They are the primary reason incompetent cops remain on the job.
2. Increase educational requirements to become an officer. A GED and few community college credits in “criminal justice”, do not cut it. Police need to understand the constitution, as well as state and local law. Psychology and human relations skills are necessary to defuse many situations.
3. A strong certification and licensing process. All professions are licensed. Many have a national data base of those who are disciplined and /or lose their license. This will help insure that bad apples simply cannot jump from one department to another.
4. The concept of qualified immunity has to be changed. All professionals are held accountable to generally accepted standards of their profession. As such they can and are held accountable for their actions that result in serious harm. Currently, while the department gets sued, the bad actor (cop) walks away free. We the taxpayers are stuck with the bill for any settlement. Hold judges, police, and prosecutors personally accountable and much of what we are witnessing will stop.
5. Police departments do not need their current ultra-inflated budgets. Why do they stockpile military grade equipment? Why does every small town department need a swat team? They overlap and are redundant. Spend that money instead on hiring a more qualified person, as well as training.
And lastly, what has become of personal responsibility? Stop automatically arguing, and fighting with the police. Pay attention in school so you can get ahead, and you might not have a prior rap sheet a mile long.
The above are just my opinions.
Sonja Fitch
June 26, 2020 at 8:23 am
Martin hush!
martin
June 26, 2020 at 12:52 pm
I will not “hush” until you stop flapping your gums in the wind, and actually post a well thought out opinion. You are simply a broken record, repeating the same gibberish.
Sonja Fitch
June 27, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Well now Moscow Mitch and little Marco and the goptrump cult leader trump have known since March that Putin was paying assassin’s to kill us troops in Afghanistan! Meanwhile Florida is becoming the epicenter for covid! The goptrump cult are criminal sociopaths!
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