Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House Of Representatives 20240712

Transparency through Data Collection, and Reform Police training and policies. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 1017, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the committee on the judiciary, printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in part d of report 116 436 is adopted and the bill as amended is considered as read. The bill as amended shall be debatable for four hours equally divided among and controlled by the chair and Ranking Member of the committee on the judiciary. The gentleman from new york, mr. Nadler, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. Jordan, will each control two hours. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler. Mr. Nadler i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to evise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on h. R. 7120. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, the tragic and blutal death of george floyd has been a wakeup call for millions of americans. Across the nation and around the world the streets are lined with protestors demanding fundamental change in the culture of Law Enforcement and meaningful accountability for officers who commit misconduct. Today we answer their call. We value and respect the many brave and Honorable Police officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect us in our communities. We know that most Law Enforcement officers do their jobs with dignity, selflessness, and honor. They are deserving of our respect and gratitude for all they do to keep us safe. But we must also acknowledge that there are too many exceptions. Too many Law Enforcement officers do not oppose the ethic of protecting and serving their community. Instead the reality for too Many Americans, especially for too many africanamericans, is that Police Officers are perceived as a threat to their liberties, dignity, and all too often to their safety. To those who do not believe it, look at the tragic statistics. Africanamericans are more than twice as likely to be shot and killed by police each year. And black men between the ages of 15 and 34 are approximately 10 times more likely to be killed by police than other americans. This is not a new problem. Our countrys history of racism and racially motivated violence, rooted in the original sin of slavery, and lynchings and jim crow and systemic racism continues to haunt our nation. We see it in the rates of covid deaths, our system of mass incarceration, and in the vast chasm of economic inequality. All of which fall disproportionately on the backs of africanamericans. We see an harassment in Excessive Force that people of color routinely face by far too many of our Police Officers. An unmistakable message has been sent to africanamericans in this country. That they are second class citizens. And that their lives are somehow of less value. Let me state clearly and unequivocally, that black lives matter. George floyd mattered. Breonna taylor mattered. Eric garner mattered. At that myrrh rice mattered. Walter scott mattered. Mcdonald and so many others mattered. Rayshard brooks mattered. And the countless other people have lost their lives at the hands of Law Enforcement mattered. For far too long pleas for justice and reform have fallen on deaf ears in congress, but that changes today. The George Floyd Justice and policing act would finally allow for meaningful accountability in cases of Police Misconduct and it would begin the process of reimagining policing in the 21st century. This legislation makes it easier for the federal government to successfully prosecute Police Misconduct cases. Effectively bans choke holds. Ends racial and religious profiling. Encourages prosecutions independent from local police. And eliminates the dubious court made doctrine of qualified immunity in civil rights lawsuits against Law Enforcement officers. At the same time, it works to prevent Police Violence and bias through a series of front end approaches aimed at edge courages departments to meet a Gold Standard in training, hiring, dee escalation strategies, bystander duty, use of body cameras, and other best practices. The bill also ends noknock warrants in drug cases. Stops the mill tarization of local policing. And requires the collection of data on a number of key policing matters which would be made public, vug the First Ever National database on Police Misconduct incidents to prevent the movement of dangerous officers from department to department. It also creates a new Grant Program for communitybased organizations to create local commissions and task forces on policing innovation. To reimagine how Public Safety could work in a truly equitable and just way in each community. I want to thank the sponsor of this legislation, the gentlelady from california, ms. Bass, for her tremendous work in crafting a bill that is at once bold and transformative while also taking a responsible and balanced approach to the many complicated issues associated with policing. I also want to thank the activists across the country who are leading the protests. It is because of you that we are here today. Considering the most significant reforms to policing in a generation. It is because of your energy, your determination, and your demands for justice that the nation has awakened to the need for action. I know that everyone in this chamber mourns those who have lost their lives at the hands of Law Enforcement. But today is our opportunity to offer more than just sympathy. Today is our opportunity to show the world that we are listening. That we will respond with real and lasting reforms. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Pledges to study the problem are not enough. Half mesh shurings are not enough. Measures are not enough. Pretend sham measures are not enough. We must not let this moment slip away. If we do it will be a terrible stain on our legacy. I urge all my colleagues to support this vital legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, madam chair. What happened to george floyd last month in minneapolis was tragic, horrific, and is wrong as wrong could be. His family deserves justice and i hope they get that swiftly. Bad Police Officers must be held accountable for their misconduct and justice must be carried out. While we focus on rooting ott the bad apples, we need to remember that the overwhelming, emailing majority of Law Enforcement officers are good people who put themselves in harms way to keep the rest of us safe. We need meaningful legislation that increases training, ensures transparency, holds everyone accountable, and guarantees that tragedies similar to what happened in minneapolis dont happen again. This moment in our great nations history demands that we Work Together across the aisle to fashion legislation that works. Legislation that actually makes a real and lasting difference. Unfortunately, democrats havent done that. They show no sign of wanting to do that. They didnt consult us when they put together this legislation. In committee this last week we offered republicans offered 12 thoughtful, good amendments. Every single one voted down. Every single one. And in the senate, just yesterday, democrats voted to not even debate a commonsense proposal put forward by senator scott. Its interesting there was some bipartisan support for moving to debate. Two democrats, one independent voted with republicans, but yet democrats chose partisanship over real reform. We need reform, but House Democrats have delivered a bill that is designed to keep cops in the car. When you do that, when you do that makes our communities less safe by preventing good Law Enforcement officers from being able to do their job. Thats what this bill is going to do. Now is not the time to cripple the men and women who so selflessly serve our communities. This bill has serious due process concerns for Law Enforcement officers. That officers must be held accountable for their crimes, no one disputes that. This bill would punish unadjudicated allegations against officers, including officers who may be innocent of those allegations. This bill will make our Law Enforcement officers less safe by prohibiting them from obtaining surplus equipment from our federal government. We had an amendment in the Committee Says what about just allowing folks on the border dealing with the cartels, dealing with the terrorists they deal with down there, what about letting those Law Enforcement agencies to have access to surplus military equipment . Democrats said no. That was one of the 12 amendments they said no to. This equipment allows officers to protect themselves and the communities they serve. For example, Armored Vehicles in texas were used to rescue vehicle from rising floodwaters during harvey. Helmets saved the lives who were shot while responding to the terror attack in the pulse nightclub in orlando in 2016. This bill does nothing to address the calls for defunding and dismantling Police Departments. Frankly i have never heard such a crazy idea. This concept, most insane Public Policy proposal i have ever heard, i have been in politics a few years, this will make our community, certainly will make our communities less safe. Its a real failure of leadership that the speaker and chairman chose to not even seek any republican consensus, any republican input on the legislation. Rather than working with us in the house to put forward meaningful Bipartisan Solutions, democrats have rushed this bill to the floor and put forward extreme measures knowing these measures will not pass the senate and will not get to the president s desk. Just last week we held a markup for this bill. As i said every single one of the republican amendments were rejected by my democrat colleagues. All 12 of them. Fortunately, President Trump has led the way. Signed an executive order last week that will invest more energy and resources in police training, recruiting, and Community Engagement. Something we we consulted many Law Enforcement folks on our side. Like the sponsor of our legislation, mr. Staub, 20 years as a commander in the Duluth Police department. That Community Engagement is essential. Thats what was also in the president s executive order. This in addition to the many achievements on err over the past years. The usmca, and the list goes on. Senator scotts bill, which as i said mr. Staub introduced in the house gets to the heart of the issue without him stringing the men and women who faithfully serve our communities. Focus on training, accountability, and transparency. It provides additional training four our Law Enforcement for our Law Enforcement officers and dee escalation tactics when officers are observing the excessive use of force. It provides more funding for body cameras and the storage of the footage. It prevents bad officers from Going Department to department and creates an enhanced penalty for the falsifying of police reports. Its a bill with the right answers. A bill that should pass the senate and get signed into law by the president. Now is the time for us to come together. As americans and continue to make this country the greatest nation ever. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and reserve the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. R. Nadler mr. Jordan is correct. The democrats in the senate did, indeed, oppose the republican bill because that bill is a sham. Designed to look as if its doing something, designed to look as if its having some reform while in fact doing nothing. Just ore, just more sham, more sham histrionics designed to make sure nothing real passes, that nothing changes. I now yield three minutes to the distinguished gentleman from georgia, mr. Johnson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Johnson i thank the chairman. Madam speaker, i rise in support of the George Floyd Justice and policing act because black lives matter. Police killed george floyd over a counterfeit 20 bill as if his life dew point matter. Police didnt matter. Police in georgia killed Rayshard Brooks for running away as if his life didnt matter. Breonna taylor, katherine johnson, at that myrrh rice tamir rice, walter scott, eric garner, and a long list of others. Each killed by police and robbed of their constitutional right to due process. None of these notorious killings moved congress to act. It took regular folks of all races, creeds, and colors taking to the streets in every part of this country, even in the face of a global pandemic, to tell the world that we have had enough of Police Killing black folks. We hear them. And Congress Knows that on the one hand, President Trumps cronies like roger stone and Michael Flynn can lie to federal investigators only to receive a get out of jail card from the president s protector, attorney general william barr but on the other hand, regular black folks floyd george and Rayshard Brooks get executed by the Police Acting as judge, jury and executioner. The only way that congress can prove to the American People that we believe that black lives matter is for all of us, republicans and democrats alike to ke to take legislation stop killing black people. Not tomorrow, not next year, now. In the fame of Michael Brown and the citizens of ferguson, missouri, lets demill taize Police Departments. In the name of Breonna Taylor bankatherine johnson, lets noknock warpts and ban chokeholds and make it easier for Police Departments to fire. In the name of tamir rice, lets enact a registry of bad cops so the people of the United States, lets pass the george floyd policing and justice act. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan the chairman of the Committee Said that democrats rejected senator scotts bill yesterday. Not all of them. Not all of them. Couple of them voted for it. Bipartisan support. Thats the only proposal that has bipartisan support right now, senator scotts bill. One of the independents in the senate voted for it. Its not accurate to characterize senator scotts legislation the way the chairman did. With that, i yield to the the gentleman from North Carolina for four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from North Carolina is recognized for four minutes. Madam speaker, im disappointed. Im disappointed by the fact that we had an opportunity today to make real bipartisan and meaningful reform, yet thats not the bill that is before us today. Im disappointed the democrat leadership is more interested in passing a bill through the house than having Actual Solutions signed into law. And im disappointed the bill punishes good Police Officers. This is very personal to me. One month ago, our community lost one of our own. I was honored to be asked at a Memorial Service where i promised our community that i would work to create meaningful reform. Mr. Hudson after listening to many leaders, it became clear there is a lot that republicans and dell cats agree on. We agree on banning chokeholds nd increasing training and increasing the use of body cameras. For any legislation to become aw, it has to pass the democratcontrolled house and Republicancontrolled Senate and signed by the president. This bill was jammed through the Committee Without any constructive input or amendments. Many republican amendments would have helped and blocking unions from protecting bad cops and removes qualified immunity. Ta means any Police Officer can be dragged into civil court by any disgruntled person they come in contact with. Bad cops shouldnt be able to hide. Representative kline and i earned a support of the majority of this house and would have solved this problem. But the democrats wouldnt allow it. Why would they do that . My colleagues across the aisle may have the votes to pass this nesh in the house, but legislation is dead in arrival in the senate and the president will never sign it. They would say to the families who mourn the loss of life and say to the people who marched for justice that 100 of nothing is better than 80 of what they propose in this bill. They want you to believe the failure to get real reform is republicans while they shut us out of the process. Wake up, america. The democrats in Congress Hope you arent smart enough to see the truth. Wake up and demand that your elected officials Work Together to get you the reform that all people of goodwill demand. Tell them to stop this charade while there is still time. We owe it to the memory of george floyd and Police Officers who rive their lives. Im committed to continue the fight for meaningful reform and for healing in our communities and i ask my colleagues to stop the political games and answer the cries heard across this country. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Members are reminded to address their remarks to the chair. The gentleman from ohio reserves. And the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i now yield three minutes to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Cohen i rise in support, strong support of the George Floyd Justice and policing act. Mr. Hudson is my friend but he wasnt in the hearing or mark up and what he would have seen is what i put and put in the hill publications. I saw shams bringing up ant inch fa and russia hoax and Michael Flynn, brought up abortion and didnt talk about george floyd or attacks on africanamericans or talk about justice and making it better. And brought up sham issues to try to divert the american oples ayes to what is the trump train propaganda machine. They were on it. They brought up the sister of a slain officer in oakland thinking they were going to change the narrative to the protestors and really the ry orderers. Well, it turned out it was a member who was white, many are White Supremacists and want civil war in this country and within a week killed an officer in santa cruz. They bring up ant inch fa and they arent involved in these protests. This is a good bill and time is now. It collects data on bad cops. Collects data on the use of deadly force and prohibits chokeholds and makes reforms and sets up an independent system of judgment on officers where they wont be home cooking hand and glove as it is in the law currently and better training, racial bias and deescalation. They brought up defunding the police. The congress has not brought up defunding police. Thats their ruse. It is not defund. It is embarrassing. I was embarrassed to see the republicans did it and it was a shame on the life of george floyd, eric garner, Michael Brown, all the other people and n memphis, Steven Atkins and david stewart. Police are mostly good, but the ones arent need to be brought to justice. I yield the speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan i yield to the louisiana three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Johnson i rise to join my colleagues invoicing my debate concern with the substance of this bill and the broken process by which it was pluse produced. As we have agreed, the issue of updating and reforming the way in which our communities are policed and strengthening the relationship between those brave americans who serve in uniform and communities they serve are matters of critical importance. The people of this country expect and deserve the members of this body to rise to this occasion and Work Together to find Common Ground on solutions that will preserve the civil lits of all people and protect and honor the legitimacy of Law Enforcement. These are not mutually exclusive pursuits. At our hearing in Judiciary Committee, you heard about that. Its interesting the lens by which we see this. Anybody who watched that, we all heard moving testimony, George Floyds brother was there and testified and family attorney was there and a panel of experts that we heard from. At that committee hearing, i and all of my republicans expressed our sincere desire to Work Together and find Common Ground with a democrat majority to solve these problems. We all agreed on the core reform issues and talked about transparency and improving training and improving termination ability for those rare individuals who serve in Law Enforcement and violate the law and the legitimacy that upholds the character of our legal system. We could have built consensus around those and key ideas to restore faith in our institutions and trust in our communities but unform 10 days after introduction of the bill, the majority marked up the final version without any opportunity for input from republican members. They blocked us out of the room and denied us as our Ranking Member said, they denied a dozen amendments that we brought to that process. What a tragedy that is. D you have to ask my constituents, why would they do ta and shut us out of the room when everybody acknowledges this is a real problem and we need Bipartisan Solutions to it. Senator scott explained it well on his epic speech on the floor of the senate after the democrats spiked and killed his bill. He explained the process that he went to Chuck Schumer and went to each of the democrats to find out what their concerns with to figure out how to fix it and offered five amendments to the bill then 20 and said he would do a managers amendment to containing the substance of his bill to get something over the line to solve the problem. They gave him the stiff arm. Why is that . They want to preserve this as a wedge issue for the elections in the fall. And tim scott said it better than we could and watch the individual of his speech on the floor. This reality leaves us at an impasse today and makes clear that this bill in its current form goes too far. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Johnson ties the hands of Law Enforcement and jeopardizes the safety of every american. We need to oppose. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, you have heard a lot of nonsense on the floor. Must not go unrebutted. Ms. Bass, the chairperson of the black caucus and chairperson of our subcommittee spoke personally to the republican leader, mr. Mccarthy and got nowhere. The Judiciary Committee staff talked to the republican staff of the Judiciary Committee and got nowhere. The republican amendments that mr. Jordap advanced, wonderful mendments included antifa, the seattle autonomous zone, stripping out the entire legislation, defunding Police Departments and adding a Death Penalty to antilynching legislation passed by the house. Of course we wouldnt accept these amendments. They couldnt say the phrase black lives matter and barely engage the subject of Police Reform. Their amendments i have given you half of them just listed here were errant nonsense, off topic dealing with imagine area and negateic tifa the entire purpose of the bill. They werent interested in black lives matter or Police Reform but pure demagogry. Of course we wouldnt accept their amendments. I now yield one minute to the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Cicilline. Mr. Cicilline doesnt Martin Luther king visited my district in april, 1967. Dr. King told rhode islanders, i havent lost faith in the future rhythm madness of racial inequality. All of us in this chamber are here for a reason acknowledge the since of the past 400 years to repair the soul of america. We can build a better more just. Pass the george floyd policing and justice act because black libes matter. Do the critical reforms, end chokeholds, demilitarize Police Departments. When we do this we can rebuild trust between the police and community. Colleagues, do not be obstructionists. Stand with us. Set aside politics. Stop living in fear of the president s twitter account. Remember the oath you took to your constituents and our country. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan i thank you for yielding. I cant believe the chairman of the Judiciary Committee would a statement on the house floor but he said imaginary things like antifa. Imaginary. Theyre real. And if you dont believe me, go alk to portland, the journalist, andy, the journalist in portland who was attacked by who the president of the United States designated as a terrorist organization and to ave the chair of the Judiciary Committee on the house floor say this sentence imaginary words e these imaginary words like antifa, from imaginary. There are people in this country who know this. The chair of the judiciary made that ust statement. That is scary. When we say we werent consulted kind of you have that attitude, we had good, thoughtful amendments in that committee. No. No, we cant deal with it. Antifa is imaginary. Its far from that. Ask that journalist in portland just a year ago was beaten up by these individuals. Ridiculous. I yield to the fine gentleman from our great state, mr. Four minutes. The speaker pro tempore ok. The gentleman from ohio is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Chabot thank you, madam speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Despite what you may hear and theres the majority, actually a lot of Common Ground between the legislation that ande considering today here the legislation that im an original cosponsor of, recently by senator tim scott, stauber. By pete we ought to pass those provisions we agree on and continue to discuss and debate dont. Ngs we last week in the judiciary ommittee, as has been mentioned, we offered a dozen reasonable, thoughtful bill,ents to improve this but every single one was rejected by the majority. Every single one. Community olice relations is a critical issue on we should be working together to solve, which could positiveal and Lasting Impact on preventing future violence. Acts of we should also be working together to honor the memories unrest, including eorge floyd and Breonna Taylor and david dorn. Doing so would begin a healing stronger, more a unified nation. Madam speaker, i represent ohios first congressional much of which includes the city of cincinnati. Protests002, following and civil unrest over the shooting of a young man, the man named Young Timothy thomas, the city, police representatives, Community Local and federal officials entered into something called the collaborative agreement. To build positive, constructive relationships between the Police Department and the communities they serve. The collaborative agreement implemented many of the reforms were discussing today. Policies. E of force mandatory training. Mphasizing deecan lakes procedures. Deescalation procedures. An independent citizen complaint uthority to Evidence Police behavior. The results havent been perfect. Eve seen dramatic improvement in local Police Community relations. Also, arrests in serious crimes across the city. And notably, excessive use of against violence Police Officers have decreased. Hese positive results are not due to heavyhanded mandates from the federal government. More , the changes are ttributable to the grassroots collaborative process which required everyone involved to jaedz de their political and agendas and Work Together, both police and the had to hoods they serve reach out to each other and come together to address concerns and problem areas. Of my suggestions to improve his bill calls for a study of cincinnatis collaborative agreement and other similar agreements to explore what well, what didnt, and what lessons can help other nation. Ies across the at the same time, we must recognize the important work law keep ement officers do to our communities safe. Thats why i suggest that we on supporting those Police Officers who dedicate heir lives to protecting our communities. Specifically, i proposed that we officers who lice are killed while serving in public or private security roles Sergeant David dorn to the Public Safety officers benefits death , which provides and education benefits to the families of officers killed in duty. Ne of madam speaker, these and other proposals from my colleagues are and would improve the legislation that were considering today. And e that democrats republicans here in the house can Work Together with the senate to get meaningful to the president , just as we did with the before rus legislation another life is lost. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Ohio ntleman from reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Nadler madam speaker, we agree on some things. Meaningful. The republicans agree on action. Not on they agree on nothing that will add accountability to the will , nothing that prevent Police Brutality, in any that contributes way to black lives matter. Banning not agree to choke holds. Changing not agree to the mens rea status so we can Police Officers accountable. They will not agree to ending warrants or qualified immunity. So theyll agree to studies. Gestures. Ree to theyll agree to shams. Whole their whole approach is a sham because they agree to nothing meaningful and claim to be meaningful. Their claims are a sham. Hey will do nothing to add accountability, nothing that will save one life, nothing that ill put one police one brutal policeman in jail, nothing. Speaker, i yield now one minute to the distinguished speaker of the house. The speaker pro tempore the of the house, nancy pelosi, is recognized for one minute. The speaker thank you, madam speaker. The gentleman for ielding, and i thank him for his stalwart support for justice policing. Thank you so much for bringing this legislation to the floor, of ou, mr. Nadler, members the Judiciary Committee, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Speaker, exactly one month ago george floyd spoke his final words, i cant breathe, and changed the course of history in nation. Ill never forget that, nor will many others. Forget his calling out for his mama right there at end. Since that horrific day in minneapolis, americans from ofry walk of life and corner the country have been marching, protesting and demanding that of National Agony ecome a moment of national action. Action. Passing the George Floyd Justice in policing act, the house is honoring his life of all killed by saying neverity by again and taking action. The congress and the country are served by the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, the conscience of the congress, we call it, with george with john lewis and so many ther leaders, which has been developing these reforms contained in this legislation decades. 49 years, to be exact. We are blessed to be led by who. Chair karen bass brings 47 years of leadership dvocating for an end to Police Brutality. She brings extraordinary jen gentility, grace and strength to this fight. Madam speaker, the George Floyd Justice in policing act will fundamentally transform culture of policing to curb s systemic racism, Police Brutality and save lives as it puts an end to shielding accountability. We dont paint all police with same brush, but for those who need to be painted with that need to take the action contained in this bill. Contains bold, unprecedented reforms, including banning chokeholds. People say, why cant you other side . Ith the chokeholds. Ont ban chokeholds. Stopping noknock warrants on drug offenses. Ending the courtcrea courtcreated qualified immunity octrine which is a barrier to holding Police Officers accountable for wrongful conduct. Ur distinguished chairman enumerated all these things just now. Combating racial profiling. Mandati collection, ta including with body and dash board cameras. Trengthening independent investigations of Police Departments. Reating a publicly Accessible National Police Misconduct registry. Accessible. Thats what the senate bill does do. Well take the data and keep it to ourselves. Use . Whats the and establishing strong new policing. For this week, a coalition of more 135 leading civil and human Rights Groups sent a letter opposition to the senate bill. Bill. E our they have their bill. And this is what 135 leading say. Rights had to the senate act is an inadequate pain,se to the decades of hardship, and devastation that black people have and continue as a result of systemic racism and lacks policies that fail to hold accountable for misconduct. Of bill fails woefully short the comprehensive reform needed to address the current policing crisis and achieve meaningful Law Enforcement accountability. It is deeply problematic to meet meanial nt with incremental approach and few effectively address the constant loss of black lives of police. S passing watereddown legislation that fails to remedy the actual resulting in the loss of life is a moral statement that genuine istent with a matter. Hat black lives further, the letter says, any attempt to amend or salvage the act will only serve to reform e box and claim when in actuality no reform has police to combat isconduct and to protect black lives. 135 leading civil and human said that. Nizations House Democrats hoped to work in bipartisan way to create meaningful change to end the epidemic of Racial Injustice and brutality. However, it is disappointing that the senate g. O. P. Has hundreds e voices of of thousands of people peacefully calling out for and progress. Day in and day out, week in and for the past month. Proposal, Senate Proposal real reform rds of but takes no action to make any difference. And unworthy of support. During this moment of action, moment of during this anguish, which we want to turn into action, it would be a moral to accept anything less change. Nsformational yet, it is clear that the white ouse has zero interest in real change. Yesterday, the white house went so far toish issue a to issue veto threat stating that the George Floyd Justice in policing act would deter good people from pursuing careers in Law Enforcement. Mr. President. Good people are pursuing careers in Law Enforcement. Not going keholds is to deter good people from in law careers enforcement. The whiteeir concern, houses concern. Hundreds of people are dying. This will make the white ignoring of this epidemic . The George Floyd Justice in policing act is a bill that people are insisting n, that this moment in history demands, and what is shapeful, the aith act to dismiss will of the public out of hand. Ago, the brother of george floyd testified so powerfully and before mr. Nadlers committee, the Judiciary Committee, on this legislation. He said that day, the people marching in the streets are is enough. Enough be the leaders that this country, this world needs. His challenge to us. Then he said, georges name something. If his death ends up changing better, and i he think it is, it will have died as if he lived. To make sure his death isnt in vain. We have the opportunity and obligation to ensure that George Floyds death and the death of so many are not in vein. Their lives matter. Black lives matter. With that, i urge a strong bipartisan on the George Floyd Justice and policing act. Justice is nor george by passing this bill. I thank the chairman for his leadership on these issues, not only today and this past month, but overtime. Thank you, mr. Nadler. I urge an aye vote and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan i yield three minutes to the distinguished the gentleman from georgia. Mr. Collins i appreciate the gentleman for yielding. I agree with was said. Justice is supposed to be blind to everything, race, socioeconomic status, blind to politics. A few minutes ago when confronted with an amendment they didnt like, they chose to deal with their collective bargaining agreements on things that do hinder and stop us from actually getting bad actors from going on. The democrats walked away. That was an amendment that the chairman didnt list because the chairman understands that is a problem that needs to be worked on. And we didnt. The bill does not do what it is said to do. Some of the provisions in this bill will hurt Police Officers. It doesnt help but hurts. There are many things that do help and we can work on those. The speaker said passing a what occurreddown bill is wrong. I tell you what is wrong and saying passing this bill will change anything, because it will not. And stopping the senate bill from Going Forward is wrong as well, because the only way the two bodies will come together and find Common Ground to actually pass a bill, i have been on this floor many times many times to remind my colleagues, coming to this floor and passing something doesnt make it law. It is important to know that the senate is working and their republican majority you are going to pass a democratic bill. But the senate will pass a republican bill. But you go to conference. But when you poison the discussion like we are doing today, that is wrong. Just as i have seen in my home state when i have a d. A. Who is charging Police Officers before investigations and paul howard needs to recuse himself, good people are being harmed. The speaker said good Police Officers want to do their job, that is correct. The city of atlanta is seeing a large increase in officers from the officers of atlanta are applying everywhere else. That is what the problem with this bill is. This isnt something we should take lightly. Justice for george floyd should be the first and foremost. And there are areas that we can work on but putting things together and throwing it together and having the obstruction of the senate coupled with a bill in the house that cannot get signed is talking to these cameras and making a point that nothing else is going to get done. That is the travesty, madam speaker. What occurreddown bill, and bills not allowed to go to conference and actually work the will of these bodies, one controlled by republicans and one controlled by democrats. And the First Step Act came around when they saw we were negotiating. As we move forward. I urge no on this, but urge the destruction stop. We need to put justice first for everyone. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler the gentleman who just spoke referred to the collective bargaining provision, that providing is in the bill. I suggest he read the bill. I yield three minutes to the gentlelady from texas, ms. Jackson lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee they are being persistent in the language why process for them is more important than saving lives. I answer the question with a little book called the constitution of the United States, which on this day we hope we will make it holier and more potent for the large numbers of africanamerican men and women that have seen the brunt of racial profiling and Police Brutality. Now let me be very clear in the opening of this constitution, it tracks the language that says we are created for a more perfect union. Centuries later, dr. Martin luther king asked the question why we cant wait to be allowed to be full citizens in this nation as africanamericans. He also said now is the time. When a member asks me about the moment of this bill this day, i said, there are few seismic moments on the fleer of the house, few catastrophic earthquake moments that change and save lives. Today, we cannot wait. And now we have legislation that will be a significant civil rights moment in our history. I am very pleased to introduce the Law Enforcement trust and integrity act with my colleagues that does help police and does require the accreditation of 18,000 Police Departments. Maybe if the officers in minneapolis had been trained in human did he sensey and stopping of Excessive Force and duty to intervene, not only would George Floyds life been saved but many others. But we have a bill that says that you have to require something. When i walked amongst the neighbors of george floyd who grew up near jack yates and they said, what is this bill going to do . Is it going to do something . This bill provides a direct requirement for accreditation, the requirement to professionalize police, and yes, it is racial profiling and it has teeth in it because it includes a provision based on eggetsnissity, National Origin and gender and requires action by the attorney germ by those who are injured. We never had that before and roll back on qualified immunity, but i say to my friends in rolling back qualified immunity, you have due process. T limits the military hardware disbursement, use of force and professionalizes the police. Now i want to answer the question of george floyd and doesnt want his brother to be on a shirt but wants justice. Anna said nswer, guy my daddy changed the world. We cant wait ap now is the time. T process, but reality and passing a bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan i recognize the gentleman from florida for four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I rise in opposition to this bill and while i have many Major Concerns to federalalize state and local Law Enforcement i want to issue the issue of qualified i will muent. It protects Police Officers and teachers from civil liability when performing their duty in a proper manner. This would eliminate qualified immunity for Law Enforcement. Many of my colleagues on the other side along with well meaning folks around the country think thats a good idea, but they have been fed a false narrative. Let me break a few myths surrounding qualified immunity and why it is so important to protect it. If you are a good Police Officer, you have nothing to worry about. That is absolutely not true. Imagine this scenario and this is one that occurs every day in departments across america. You are attempting to make an arrest, the suspect physically resists arrest. The suspect is fighting arrest and he uses empty hands techniques to secure him but he is injured while being lawfully and properly secured. The officer hasnt done anything wrong. Followed the law and Department Policy and agency training. Did everything by the book. If this bill becomes law he will be sued individually despite doing everything by the book and thats just wrong. I spent 41 years of my life in Law Enforcement including 12 years as sheriff. Every single day i went to work i knew and was willing to put my life on the line. Its what i signed up for and what every officer in this country signs up for. However, i shouldnt be asked to put my wife and childrens future in that also. That is not what i signed up for. Not when i properly followed the law and followed my agencys policies and followed my training to the letter. I could still be sued. Thats not part of the deal. Qualified immunity number two, it is always granted by the courts. This also is not true. In fact, courts only grant qualified immunity to officers 57 of the time in majority of the cases where qualified immunity was granted, it was determined that Police Officers did not violate anyones Constitutional Rights. Under current law, if the court grants it, the plaintiff can still sue the agency for alleged ineffective training or policies. Myth number 3, qualified immunity gives officers free rein on the job. That is absolutely false. In order for qualified immunity to apply, the officer must have followed the law. Followed agency policy, followed all the proper training. If he violates any one of those, he is on his own and open to civil litigation. Madam speaker, Law Enforcement is too dangerous a professionous that deals in splitsecond decisions. Most people in this room have no idea whats it is like in a high stressed situation where a suspect is pulling out a gun or cell phone and never wrestle a man to the ground who is fighting like hell. Police officers dont watch a video in slow motion to figure out what to do. Thats why qualified immunity exists and the u. S. Supreme court just confirmed it. We cannot be so eager to make major policing reforms on the federal level that we overreact and prevent good officers on the street from being able to do their job. We should not put our communities at that kind of risk. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Jordan additional 30 seconds. Mr. Rutherford i ask my colleagues to reconsider. Not one single point will destroy the bedrock of Law Enforcement in this country and know there are members across the aisle that understand that, because they have been there. They have done that. They have made those arrests. I ask you to listen to them and vote no on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler gentleman stated a moment ago he said 60 or 65 of people, Police Officers who got qualified immunity did not violate the Constitutional Rights of the victim. He is conceding in other words that in 40 or 30 , whatever it is, of the time when qualified immunity is granted and holds officers accountable, they have violated the Constitutional Rights of the victim. Thats one of the reasons why we must change the doctrine of qualified immunity. I now yield three minutes to the gentlelady from the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Richmond. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Richmond thank you, mr. Chairman and madam speaker. Let me reapply to what i think the big difference here is between the two sides. We heard an eloquent argument about the Financial Impact to families if a Police Officer loses his job, that they have loss of income. But were talking about is the loss of support both financially and emotionally to a family when they lose their father, mother or child. While one side looks at this as a purely financial or economic problem, we look at it as life or death. Also heard them talk about the senate bill. Doesnt ban bill chokeholds and as about as much teeth as a newborn baby. What i will say is that america is burning. And my colleagues cant see it. Or they dont want to see it ecause of Blind Loyalty to a selfabsorbed leader that lacks the character or concern to care. But america is not only burning, america is weeping. She is weeping for the victims of Excessive Force by those sworn to protect and serve and crying for her American Leadership to man up and meet this moment and to right the laws in this country once and for all that black lives do matter. She is calling on us to act, not to the moment or ignore the ugly facts. W is not the time for the co wmp er or political hypocrite. America is crying and america is weeping. If you open your hearts and your ears and get past the purposeful irrelevant noise, you will then hear she is begging for help. Just listen. America is crying for help, just like george floyd did. Is, will you pretend you didnt watch the and 42 seconds, you only protect life until its born . Church, were taught that weeping man endured for the cometh in the morning. Colleagues, well determine how lasts, how long last, the will weeping will last, how long of the e see the joy morning, how long before we make this a more perfect union. For results, not rhetoric. Nd to the members on the other side who may have africanamerican children, let me just tell you the difference quickly. Goes hat black child out the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. I have 30 d can seconds, mr. Chairman . Mr. Nadler i yield 30 seconds. Mr. Richmond lets assume when kids go out that night to the school dance, when the black mother is waiting by the the phone rings and the child says, well, there was a problem. Say, well, oth kids we see police lights, police on the way. The white mother and parent is is on the ink, help way and feel relieved. He black mother will say, just do whatever, baby, just come home. O matter how much they degrade you, just come home. There is a difference of policing in this country and to fix it. Asking with that, madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, madam chair. I yield to the distinguished new york who for 8 years served his fine constituents for four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized for four minutes. Opposition rise in to h. R. 7120. George al murder of floyd and the protests and demonstrations since then ighlight the racial issues which still afflict our nation and deserve thoughtful discussion and debate. Today, o use my time though, to reject the premise of systemic Police Racism which is genesis of todays legislation. I say the opposite. Is take new york city with thousands of protesters and egularly taken to the streets demonstrating against the nypd. Even though in the past 25 years actions of the nypd have literally saved tens of thousands of lives of people color. The city has gone from 2,000 murders a year with a great ajority of them being africanamerican to less than 300. Ast year, nypd officers fired their weapon 35 times. Thats 35 times in a police in the city of more than eight million and millions more commuters and tourists. Were fricanamericans killed by the nypd in the entire year. Four of whom had a gun or knife. Nationally you wont hear this on the house floor from the other side. Are nally more whites killed by police than africanamericans each year, oth in total numbers and in proportion to their counters police. Rs to this bill might make people feel better in the short run but will result more in more crime and suffering. Those just in the last month, we have seen shootings increase ramatically in cities such as chicago and new york where shootings are at the highest years. N almost 25 its time to be honest. Its not a peaceful protest when looted, when rocks and bricks and molotov cocktails are thrown at cops and more than 300 Police Officers are injured, as were seeing now in new york. Police are not perfect. Us. Of they do outstanding work. House passed the hero honoring how they covid. In Police Officer. Police deserve more than this legislation, which targets them for societys ails. Time to stand with the men and women in blue who put their the line for the rest of us every year. I strongly urge a no vote and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield three minutes to the distinguished gentleman from new jeffries. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Jeffries i thank the distinguished chair for yielding and for his great leadership. We have a National Problem here america of Police Violence, Police Brutality, and the police force. Excessive it requires a national solution. Congress should pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act. America, every black mother and every black father have the talk with their to do when what approached by the police. Encounter can turn deadly. Of criminal conduct but because of the color of skin. Amadou, the family of the family of shawn bell, the amily of eric garner, the family of walter scott, the family of oscar grant, the the y of stephon grant, family of Breonna Taylor. Of george e family floyd who narrated his own death secondst minutes and 46 and called for his mama. A difficult conversation. With my have the talk i knew what to say my fatherord, because ad the same talk with me ecades ago and nothing has changed. So all of us in this chamber, whether youre a democrat or make ican, should want to sure that people like our good riend and colleague, cedric richmond, shouldnt have to have the same talk with his beautiful son, 6yearold little ced. Change an opportunity to things today, and thats what we do. Ld to the protesters, we hear you, you. E you, we are we are sick and tired of being tired. D america is a great country. Weve come a long way. Go. Till have a long way to were tired of Police Violence in a country where the eclaration of independence promises life, liberty, and the happiness. Were tired of Police Violence in a country where the pledge of promises liberty and justice for all. Violence d of police in a country where the onstitution promises equal protection under the law. Were sick and tired of being tired. D act. Is why we should its time to end racial profiling. Time to criminalize the chokehold. To demilitarize the police. To end qualified immunity. Time for a National Standard on the excessive use of force. A database on brutal officers. Time to expand the justice is civil ent office of rights jurisdiction. Time for the george floyd we ice in policing act so can continue our countrys long, march ry, and majestic toward a more puft union. More perfect union. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from new york reserves. He gentleman from ohio is recognized. The gentleman from arizona is recognized, without objection. Thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that i permitted to control the balance of the republican time. The peaker pro tempore gentleman is recognized. Thank you. With that, madam speaker, i minutes to my colleague from arizona, representative lesko. The speaker pro tempore the recognized. S mrs. Lesko thank you, mr. Biggs, and thank you, madam speaker. Lives matter. My two grand sons who are black, their lives matter. Want anything bad to happen to them. My life matters. White lives matter. Hispanic lives matter. Lives matter. Native american lives matter. Frankly, all lives matter. Olice officers lives matter too. What happened to george floyd terrible. And bad cops or cops that do bad hings have to be held accountable. But we have to recognize that majority of Law Enforcement officers are good, trying to t people help our community and protect our community. So we cant throw the baby out with the bath water, as the goes. We need bipartisan bills because know. Ys i know youre passionate. I know you believe in this. But you also know that this bill youre pushing through without negotiating with epublicans is not going to go anywhere. So if you actually want omething done, you have to negotiate with republicans because, after all, they have a in the senate and we president. Blican so i ask that we work on a bill police only holds officers that do bad things not ntable but that does undermine Law Enforcement so need hey can do what they to do to protect our society. Law e talked to numerous enforcement officers and Police Chiefs in my district. Every single one of hem said there are portions of this Democrat Bill that would ndermine their ability to protect us in our communities. Now, there are other parts of bill that i support, that republicans support, that the could sign. So why dont we try to unite on agree on . We can said before that in Judiciary Committee none of the republican amendments voted them all down. Democrats voted them all down. Scott said that he offered 20 amendments to the in the senate, and they jekted them. They rejected them. So if we really want to get something done and we should get lets try to , Work Together instead of pushing through a bill that you havent republicans to negotiate on. Dismayed by y whats happening around our country. Upset. People are and i applaud the people that protests. Ul in their r. Biggs, can i have 30 more seconds . Mr. Biggs madam speaker, i yield the gentlelady another 30 seconds. The speaker pro tempore the recognized. S mrs. Lesko but i ask on all and rs, both republican democrat, to call on the people that are violent out in our are ts, people that looting, people that are tearing use statues, people that are setting up autonomous zone. One area in seattle, they killed somebody there. Our e, lets try to heal country together. And with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler madam speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from california, mr. Swalwell. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Swalwell thank you, madam speaker. I support this bill because lives matter. Gionna floyd, George Floyds my daddy changed the world. I spoke to an africanamerican in my district said he day. Safe two times a when he wakes up in his own house. In my house. Sleep i have Police Officers often running my plates and then any ze i dont have warrants so they drive off. This member of our community is captain. So if a black Police Captain how that way, imagine people in the black community who are not in Law Enforcement feel. The world with these necessary Police Reforms. Black lives do matter. And i yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. Speaker, i adam yield three minutes to the gentleman from minnesota michigan sorry michigan. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from michigan is recognized. Thank you. Ank i rise today frustrated and disappointed with this the legislation and disfunction of this legislative body, police work is vital, sometimes thankless and sometimes dangerous. My oldest son is a Police Officer and we talked about these issues long before the events of the last several weeks and had to put on a vest and Police Multiple Times protests. I pray to god would not turn violent and someone would get hurt. So it is near and dear to my heart as well to other members of the other side of the aisle. It is an issue of america and issue of rights and meaningful change is needed now. All across this country, our constituents and neighbors and yes my family are begging us to step forward and lead and come foge for reform. Mr. Mitchell we see these demonstrations across this nation and we agree that reform is needed. Yesterday in the senate, constructive language was blocked by democrats despite commitment on the floor. We apparently dont want to legislate, do we . I reached out for discussion on this bill with a sponsor to fer input and support, to no avail. I spoke with ms. Bass, but not until we work on this bill without the ability to even consider a single amendment. Heaven forbid we legislate. Senator scott was correct in his speech. This is not about what action we take, but who takes and can claim the action. My colleagues and the other party are focused on election messageing, they overlook some critical things. We have needed to address these issues for decades, even when a democrat was in the white house and democrats controlled legislatures. This issue will not go away. Its staying. Lacking action, this issue will become more heated and divisive in communities across this nation. What do you say we focus on doing our current jobs rather than worrying about the november election . How about we legislate to achieve reform instead of messaging because messaging is a disaster. We should feel ashamed for taking up space and time when we are not solving the problem. God help us all. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i would like to respond to the assertion that we have not been willing to work with the republicans on this important legislation. Allow me to set the record straight in detail on where we are and how we got here. We introduced a comprehensive policing reform bill 18 days ago. We explained to our colleagues in the minority that we initiated the process by developing comprehensive legislation with senators booker and harris as well as members of our caucus. We also explained the importance of moving quickly given the moment we are in as a nation. Since that time, we have indicated to the minority if they are interested in developing legislation that they could support, we needed to understand how they wanted to change the bill and whether those changes would lead them to support the bill. Chair bass has reached out to the minority leader and to senator scott and we have reached out to the minority over the course of the last 10 days. In the hearing two weeks ago which the minority invited three witnesses. The minority did not share a single amendment with us before last weeks markup. They refused to work with them on specific amendments they offered that we indicated we could support if we had the opportunity to review and discuss before we go to the floor. That is their right. In my experience, they would like majority to support their amendments and wouldnt share the text with us in advance. And we also know some of what we saw is in the bill now. And we have not received a single outreach regarding this important matter from either the Trump White House or the Trump Department of justice. Again, in my experience, if they were a serious and good faith effort to enact legislation, the white house would seek to work with both sides of the aisle and both sides of the capitol. That has not happened thus far. Chair bass and i and others on this side of the aisle have remained open to a full and frank discussion about the minority about their possible support of real and meaningful policing legislation. That has not happened thus far, but it is my hope that the senate will take up meaningful legislation and legislation that senator scott offered was hardly meaningful, but i hope they will take up meaningful legislation and i hope we work with them to pass meaningful legislation. I yield one minute to the gentleman from maryland, mr. Raskin. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Raskin the whole premise of federal government that will be safer inside the contract than outside of it. Solitary poor, nasty, brutish and short, we give up the violent selfhelp for trust in the rule of law and Impartial Administration of justice. Where was the American Social contract for george floyd as officer chauvin killed him or Breonna Taylor, a 26yearold e. M. T. Who was shot eight times in her own bed by officers a noknock warrant. The American Social contract has always been contaminated by racism. Our constitution began as a white mans compact in which the africanamerican had no rights the white man was bound to respect. The civil war gave us a chance for a new birth of freedom but after 12 years of reconstruction, it was washed k. K. By the k. Mr. Raskin could i have 30 seconds. American apartheid lasted when the blood of john lewis and dr. King gave us the Voting Rights act of 1965 but we have brought back to the baseline of violent White Supremacy and a president who looks into the souls of White Supremacists and sees very fine people. This is the deep state in america. Violent. Black lives matter and we are new launching a new reconstruction in america and lets start today with the george floyd just ties and policing act justice and policing act. Mr. Biggs i yield four minutes to the the gentleman from texas, mr. Gohmert. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Gohmert there have been trackeds in this country and yet it still hasnt been enough apparently to have the majority in the house, at least the leadership, try to Work Together to come to a solution. And we see some of the solutions d i got the bill here, 7120, but theres no better example than the legislation that congressman bobby rush has worked on years and years to pay tribute to a 14yearold black young man who was kidnapped, horribly tortured, killed and just read the last phrase of may section 250, the person be in prison for not more than 10 years. I have an amendment that i thought should get some democrat votes. We are not going to pass any of ours unless we have democrat votes. But i believe the Death Penalty in lynching cases is totally appropriate, certainly in some of them. I felt it was appropriate that the two people under texas law that lynched and killed james bird got the Death Penalty. It has been implemented. I understood from hearing the chairman say, Death Penalty is barberous. He made clear to his members do not support the gohmert amendment and i would be happy o call it the bobby rush amendment because the life sentence was in his bill. And i offered and it was spur of the moment, i didnt have it planned. Ok, look, you are stopping the members that is what im thinking for voting for my amendment, we need democrats votes and say any term of years including and stop there, not the or death. They wouldnt agree to that. No, its going to stop anything that republicans want to do. We ought to be setting the example to those who are creating a marksist crime wave across our country trying to destroy what we have instead of playing partisan games in here. And im glad to hear how much he democrats tried to work out with us because i didnt get that message and further demonstrated in the senate when tim scott was doing everything to do to get the bill passed and couldnt get any support. What do you see in the streets. You see white spoiled adults coming up to black Law Enforcement officers, spitting, just chiding them, giving them all kinds of crud. And the message is clear, we are white spoiled brats and you came off the plantation, get back. Thats what clearance thomas said he felt like because he was a conservative that wanted to think for himself. Those same law officers, i have seen the law officers run to the sound of the gun to save lives even if people make fun of them. How did we forget 9 11 so quickly when we saw capital after example of their willingness to sacrifice. This is not going to do anything. This immunity removal is going to help the Law Enforcement enforcement and will make a for the tune but keep law officers in civil court. Vote no on this bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler what do we hear, marksism, antifa, anything but dealing with the problem. I now yield three minutes to the gentlelady from washington, ms. Jayapal. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jayapal i rice for manuel, george floyd, breonna, rayshard, rice, walter scott, gab bring ella. I rise for eric, stefan, domenic, michael, tameesha, oscar, freddie, laquan, michelle, akeya, gentleman march, and frank, tony, anthony. Rise for mea hall, peter, andra, willie, and jordan, aaron, pamela, salvador, dar just, billy ray. I rise for felix, ta meek, india betty, in a y, hanial, dominique, george, brendon glen. I rise for all of our black brothers, sisters and siblings who have been killed by Law Enforcement in this country. It is not enough just to say their names, it is not enough to say black lives matter. We must fight for black lives and for real justice. Let us pass this as a bold, urgent necessary first step. It bans chokeholds and dines them as civil rights fledges and bans noknock warrants and establishes a registry and reforms qualified immunity and ends racial profiling. It requires reporting of incidents of use of force and stopping searchers of the demographic and demilitarizes Law Enforcement and restricts the transfer of military equipment to local Police Departments and class files lynching as a federal hate crime and gives the department of justice the power to subpoena Law Enforcement departments for pattern and practice investigation. And so critically important, it invests money into black and brown communities to reimagine what policing should look like so everyone is safe. Hundreds of thousands of people in communities across america are standing up and speaking up for bold reform organizing day after day, night after night in big cities and small towns. They have not just forced a necessary conversation. They have prompted necessary action. So let us today heed these righteous voices of the powerful movement on the grouped so local communities led by black voices can move forward on transformational changes and that begins today by passing the George Floyd Justice and policing act. I yield back. Mr. Biggs i yield three minutes to my friend from wisconsin, mr. Grothman. Mr. Grothman its hard to think of something original to say but ill give it a go. One i know defends Derrick Chauvin and no one i know doesnt have sympathy for george floyd and his family. Without saying. The question is, what can we do to prevent this sort of thing in the future . Personally believe the part of the problem stems from the close big city ip that governments have with the local unions. Was roduced a bill when i in the state lengislature about 13 years ago making it easier to an underperforming policeman and that bill went nowhere, as most of these bills nowhere, because very few people are willing to take on the unions. Hat being said, when i introduced a bill, i did expect it to save lives and pass and i expected it to save black lives expected it to save white lives. Ok. Right now you can Google Heather mcdonald. Shes pretty good on this issue. Irst of all, the number of lives lost in which an unarmed person was shot by a police fallen in the last lives to 28 om 70 lives, which is a good step in the right direction. It doesnt mean we shouldnt do more. Should do more. The second thing ill point out violent djusted for crime, actually a higher percentage of white people are than black lice people. It offends me we dont bring that up. Try to racialize the iron. Taylor died Breonna Duncan died killed in the exact situation. You dont hear about it talked about anybody in this body or tv. Ody on national you know why they dont talk about it . Because they want to tear this country apart. Want to talk about when white people are white eople are killed because they want to enrage black people and they want to make white people eel guilty and not like america. If you look at the studies, shows. What it ok. Now, hopefully these local governments can do something to rid of badier to get cops. But lets look at how this bill person. The average the majority of cops, the vast majority of cops are great cops. Does it do to them . Ok. Hat it does is you take away qualified up munity which immunity which means if you are Police Officer you become afraid to arrest somebody, you become afraid to resist to body, you become afraid pursue somebody. Whats going to happen when we ave a timid, newtored neutered police force. In milwaukee, the number of this year has gone up from 37 to 72 murders in the monthsplus this year compared to last year. Does anybody care about all the people who are dying in the city of milwaukee who arent killed by police . I dont hear a lot about it. Lready theyve cut the number of police this year and theyre talking about cutting the number of police next year. Effect will that have on people dying . Does anybody care . Dont hear anybody care about that. All we want to do tear down the police. Mr. Biggs madam speaker, i seconds additional 30 to the gentleman. Mr. Grothman ok, then finally, you talk about black lives matter. About black lives matter a little bit. Ou look on their website, they want to upset the nuclearized family. It. Ought they liked they are against the strong family. Says government ontrols everything and she she says we are trained maxxists. Marxists. Do you want to follow them down he path to complete government control over everything, antireligion . Much. You very the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Madam speaker, i now yield four minutes to the distinguished majority whip of clyburn. , mr. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Clyburn thank you, madam speaker. The gentleman for yielding me the time. He motto of my home state of South Carolina is dumb spiral spero. Latin phrase for while i breathe i hope. Prepares to house vote on the historic george loyd justice in policing act, those words take on a new meaning and a very special me. Ing for in this moment of the haunted of this legislations breathe, echo t in the streets daily. Floyds case, his breath was literally being snuffed out for his dead t mother. But for so many blacks in our today, i cant breathe saying, iother way of have no hope. This august body is going to pass a piece of legislation of will begin the process restoring hope. Whose ancestors fought for centuries to be vision in the nations of liberty and justice for all. This legislation gives us an lift up to one observed about americas greatness. America is not great because it is more enlightened other nation but rather because it has always been able repair its faults. Today, we are seeking to repair faults in our policing system. Policing system whose foundation was built upon two pillars of experiences. Of americans who ame to america of their own free will in search of freedom. Of other by a group to america o came against their will and were 244 years. R vestiges of that system are in todays Law Enforcement culture. Arrestees, n black entrances into black residences, militarized police communities, k qualified immunity for all rather thanpreserve serve, intended to protect erpetrators of excessively use of force rather than improve communities. D today, House Democrats and i of my republican colleagues will say by their is enough. H the greatnesspply of america equitably and to all citizens. Here. Cannot stop some show spotlight inadequately system, in h care our educational system, in our system. L liberty and justice for all remains a deferred dream for far many. Healthses, challenges in care, eviction threats, people are trying to catch their breath. They cant breathe, they cant hope. Proud south carolinian, i believe in and tried to live by that principle, while i breathe hope. And with the passage of the George Floyd Justice in policing we will all breathe a little fisc little more n a hope. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. Mr. Biggs madam speaker, i from to the gentleman california, mr. Mcclintock, for four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock thank you, madam speaker. 13 years ago, i partnered with state Senate Democrats in advocating for an open records act for complaints against Police Officers. Ago, i cosponsored Hank Johnsons stop militarizing act. Olice this year i cosponsored Justin Amashs legislation to end ualified immunity for public officials. So if the majority was seeking ipartisan support for police it. Rm, they would have had if they sought consultation, cooperation, compromise, if they reached across the aisle, they ould have found many sincere allies among republicans. My views on Law Enforcement were haped years ago when i had the honor to work for the former Los Angeles Police chief ed davis. Approach to Law Enforcement proved highly effective while dramatically d across the country during those years, in los angeles, under came down. , it he believed in the policing peel, les of sir robert that the police are simply an community. F the chief davis believed that and he practiced it. E introduced neighborhood watch, enlisting citizens to work in partnership with the police. He introduced the basic car plan that matched patrol officers with individual neighborhoods so familiar, become a recognized, and trusted presence in those neighborhoods. Closer we adhere to these principles the more effective Law Enforcement will become and the fewer abuses we see. Major parts of this bill move us loser to these principles, including the need to open Police Records of misconduct, noknock on of warrants, the restriction of transfer of military hardware to local Police Departments and the encouragement of police cameras. F these provisions were presented as standalone bills, i think many would pass with significant bipartisan support. Them into a bill hat imposes an ideological laundry list of operational restrictions and procedures upon in the Lice Department country, it makes this bill nwise, unworkable, and unsupportable. Worse, it ignores the most serious problem we face, the by ection of bad cops collective barring bargaining makes it that impossible to fire them. Olice is a uniquely communitybased function. New york, new york, and auburn, california, are very different different needs and challenges and standards. Running and micromanaging every far Police Department is beyond our competence or authority. So even though there are bill i ns in the strongly support, i cannot support the attempt to ederalize local Police Departments, which moves us further down a slippery slope i on. Were already looking at the wreckage on our streets, i fear the ultimate not t of the left is isolated abuse by Law Enforcement officers but law law itself. Ent as we can now plainly see, without Law Enforcement there is no law. Without law, there is no civilization. Inally, i strongly condemn the sentiments expressed in so many forms in america is systemically racists. Racists of every color in every society. Nature. Side of human but no nation has struggled harder to transcend that nature ostracize its racists than have americans. The american founders placed the declaration of independence that they believe would someday produce a nation of all men and women races and religions together blessings of liberty under the equal laws. Tion of our lincoln said, quote, having an vil tendency, if not an evil design. An evil tendency and evil design are exactly what the radical introduced into our society, and it is tearing our country apart. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Now yield one minute to the distinguished the mrs. Lady from florida, demings. Mrs. Demings madam speaker, i joined the Police Department in 1984. Can describe the feeling i had when i took my oath to protect and serve. Heart. It to we all know the majority of well officers do the job every day. But today is about those who dont. Who should have never been hired or those who have of office. Heir oath Police Misconduct has resulted george floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, should be alive today. As members of congress, our responsibility is is the health, safety, and wellbeing of the American People. Progress. De weve come a long way, but we still have a ways to go. Good Police Officers want us to get there. They need us to help them the profession that they love. A a former Police Officer and police chief, i am supporting the George Floyd Justice in act. Cing passing this bill will change much. Colleagues to pass this legislation. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves, the gentleman from arizona is recognized. I am pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. Crenshaw. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Crenshaw i rise in opposition to this bill, which is unfortunate because it doesnt have to be this way. Theres a lot of agreement on much of this bill. I was pleasantly surprised when i read it. If we voted on this section by section i believe there are sections where there would be an overwhelming bipartisan majority for some necessary and crucial reforms. Theres other parts where if we just worked together and made some changes wed likely get to yes on a lot of these. As it stands now it doesnt directly defund the police but it will result in less policing. Needless to say that hurts the communities were trying to help the most. There isnt a Community Meeting out there asking for less police. Minority neighborhoods or high crime neighborhoods. They want more police. They want better policing. But they want more of it. In the senate, democrats wouldnt even debate senator scotts bill. Here in the House Democrats wont let republicans offer a single amendment. What reason could you possibly have for refusing to work with us . When america is demanding we Work Together toward common goals why wont democrats do so . This is a sad this is sad, cynical politics. The speaker of the house would rather call republicans murderers than work with ounce solutions. But it was never really about Police Reform. Your eyes an actions are fixed on november, not Police Reform. Its not too late. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and work with us to send a bill that the president will sign. Hank you and i yield back. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from california, mr. Correa. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Correa i join congresswoman bass in support of h. R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in policing act. The tragic death of george floyd and countless others will not be in vain. This bill is a comprehensive approach on policing that aims to end decades of systemic racism and i ask my colleagues to join us in support join us and support this measure. Yet i hope that arrest disparities, especially cannabisrelated arrests, would have been part of this measure. According to the aclu, black people are more likely to be arrested for Marijuana Possession and in some states up to 10 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession. We cant ask our Police Officers to enforce flawed cannabis policy. Cannabis use is a social and medical issue and not a criminal matter. Lets not ask our Police Officers to do the impossible. I ask for reform in cannabis policy immediately. Thank you and with that, i yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. This gentleman from arizona is recognized. Reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from texas, ms. Garcia. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from texas is recognized. Ms. Garcia madam speaker, i rise to express my strong support for the George Floyd Justice in policing act. It is past time for congress to make systematic changes on issues of racism, Police Brutality and racial profiling. We must put an end to the unjustified yause of force by the police that has resulted in the deaths of just too many black and brown americans. As a person of faith i believe the responsibility falls on each and every one of us to ensure that everyone is treated as a child of god. However, the reality is, george floyd was not treated as a child of god as the child of god that he is and he wasnt treated that way when he said his last words, i cant breathe. Justice demands we must put an end to Police Brutality, racial profile, White Supremacy and vicious racism in america. Justice demands that long suffering americans be made whole were being the in being denied the rights of america. If there is anything history has taught us, it is that our laws must be equal to all and we must affirm that black lives matter. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. Im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. Hurd. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hurd thank you, madam speaker. Today we are missing an opportunity to pass an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill. We are missing an opportunity for a Police Reform bill to actually become law. We are missing an opportunity to do our part to prevent another black person from dying in police custody. Everyone here believes as i do that whether your skin is black or your uniform is blue you should not feel targeted in this country. We have failed to do one simple thing. Empower Police Chiefs to permanently fire bad cops. This is one of the most important Things Congress could have addressed. Keeping bad copping off the force could prevent another killing like george floyd. It would protect good Police Officers by ensuring bad officers like George Floyds murderer dont soil the reputations of good officers. Just a few months ago, when dealing with the covid19 pandemic, we worked together as one congress, not two parties, to pass need red leaf to our fellow citizens. Thats the spirit that i wish was in this chamber today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. This gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute o representative mcbath. To mr. Neguse. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam speaker. Thank you, chairman nadler. I want to extend my condolences to my good friend and to the speaker for her recent loss. I rise today in support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act, a powerful and transformative bill that will ultimately help cey lives in the wake of the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, george floyd, elijah mcclain, Michael Marshall and so many others, it is critical, it is our duty, to act. As a multicultural, Multiracial Movement sweeps across our nation, as communities across our country plead for change. It lands on each of us to act. This bill will end choke holds, bring transparency by standing up the first National Database of civilianpolice encounters and provide additional tools to state and local attorneys general, we must enact these reform we must stand up on the side of justice and equality an we must act. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentlelady from georgia, ms. Mcbath. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Mcbath thank you, madam chairism do offer you my deepest condolences. We stand here today keenly aware that we are living thru history. Yet again racism and injustice have opened painful wounds 400 years in the making. I lost my son jordan to those wounds. And yes, my black sons life did matter. With each gutwrenching video im reminded of a hole left in my heart by the murder of my own son. That is my history. Its a history of far too many black americans. Its a history that can never, ever be erased. But america has always been able to rise to the test of our time. Our future is etched in the courage of our convictions. And today we must respond with bold action. To save american lives, to create a Better Future for our children, and to help mend the wounds of hate and violence, our response is clear. I urge my colleagues to support the George Floyd Justice in policing act. Our time is now. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from arizona, mr. Stanton. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Thank you for yielding. I rise today in support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act and i want to thank you, chairman nadler, and to congresswoman bass for your unwavering leadership on this historic legislation. Black lives matter. George floyd was murdered one month ago today. This month has been a painful reflective period for our nation. The house has taken an essential step to heal that pain with this bill. Today we vote on long overdue legislation to bring greater accountability and transparency into policing and to help make everyone more safe. The specific measures included in this bill from banning choke holds and noknock warrants to eliminating qualified immunity are critical steps to improve policing practices. It includes reforms to combat racial profiling and right injustices that exist in America Today. The ability to end racism in our country is beyond the reach of congress. We dont have the power to change every heart and mind. But we do have the power to change the law. To make it more just, to combat Structural Racism through measurable, meaningful reforms. Change start heres. Today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expire. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. Reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is reneeked. Mr. Ed in a is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentlelady from pennsylvania. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Madam speaker, i offer you and your family my sympathy on the loss of your father. It is my privilege to rise in support of this bill, the George Floyd Justice in policing act. Enough is enough. Racial injustice has been right before our eyes for far too ong. Dialo, george floyd, we can no longer turn a blind eye. We need to meet this moment of national anguish. We must insist on bold change not surrender to a bare minimum. Unaarped black americans are being murderrd in the street by those who have sworn to protect and serve. This is not a black problem. It is my problem. It is your problem. It is our america, american problem. We must ban choke holds. No knock warrants. And finally hold officers accountable. George floyds daughter said, my daddy changed the world. Lets come together and honor her words. Lets change the world with this transformative bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentlelady from florida, ms. Mucarselpowell. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida is recognized. Ms. Mucarselpowell thank you, madam speaker. My condolences, i just heard about your father. Today i rise in strong support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act. Today marks one month since george floyd called out, i cant breathe. As an officer suffocated him to death and two complicitly watched. The world has joined mr. Floyds family in demanding that we take action. South florida and my constituents are demanding action. We cant bring him back but we can bring justice to him, to his 6yearold daughter, his family and his brother philonise. We cant put an end to choke holds and hold we can put an end to choke holds and hold every officer accountable for their actions. We can honor the life and legacy of Breonna Taylor whose murderers still walk free. And we can and must serve the memory of the countless other lives taken and brutalized by bringing Law Enforcement back to their roots of protecting and serving. The time for bold and profound action is now. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady ease time has expired. Ms. Mucarselpowell i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. The speaker pro tempore without objection. I ask unanimous consent that i be permitted to control the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Thank you. I yield now to the chairman of the freedom caucusing, my good friend and great member from the state of arizona, mr. Biggs. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Biggs thank you, madam speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. We consider something very serious today. And that is reformation of policing. And we are as federal elected officials reaching into state and local Police Agencies and this bill were to become law we are imposing the values of us collectively because thats the way this works. On those state and local agencies. We had this debate in the Judiciary Committee, it was out by some on my side of the aisle that there was movement of foot to defund and cases even eliminate Police Agencies at the local and level. And that was viewed as a ruse, a deflection from the issue. Indeed, this bill itself will have that effect. So on the front side of it, you a radical group of folks, eople who are agitating to actually defund or eliminate Police Agencies. Theyre affiliated with any of my colleagues, i dont know. Of this some members body suggest that their own Police Departments are cancerous should be amputated. That. Seen thishen on the other hand, bill actually is a so you have a frontal attack and a rear action. Thats what this does. Brings power to control local this body. Olice to as my friend from california earlier, one of the most unique things about policing is tie to community. That. Need to consider we need to consider that. This bill will actually so many impact that seem to want thats attenuate policing. Local so when we Start Talking about and fied limited immunity, the proposed elimination of that in this bill, i recall that were several members from my side of the aisle that wished that mr. Mcclintock said hed like to see it done away with. Thing. Said the same ut there were also efforts and attempts to modify the qualified rules. Immunity now, why is this important . Need to understand policedoes not protect a officer from charges for illegal or unconstitutional conduct. Doesnt. When you totally eliminate it, same protections that are there for whether its a choolteacher or social worker or some other government worker, Police Officers will now be left whatsoever. Ection the way the result will be, to recruit, rder police nd retain officers. Were not going to have the best olice officers we can get anymore. So whats going to happen then see less ng to fewer Police Officers. So youre going to see, for of the big one ities in my state, hundreds of vacancies are there, youll see that move to thousands of vacancies. Youll see fewer police on the street. Those police who are there will a calculated assessment and that assessment will be this. Involved in this particular situation, what will the risk to my family Going Forward . If you want Police Officers to make that calculation, i can its tee you theyll say, better if i sit in my car. Until this situation ated and meal yor amealorated and that will mean less Police Officers and that will mean higher crime, more crime. About something that was said in our committee a ring on this when gentleman said effectively atva was a fiction antifa was a fiction, it was maginary, it was like a unicorn, for petes sake. To a cnn article 2018, i believe it was where a couple of cnn reporters nterviewed leaders of the Antifa Movement and reiterated they believed they should members dontsome want to advocate for violence ut others do because they have an objective and they believe that violence will help them get objective. I dont think that cnn thinks fiction. A pparently here, though, we do, say as we were away g about taking. L. I. , qualified limited immunity. We officers get ace policy like i have to do as an doctors have to do. Well, i viewed that statement at accidental an admission that elimination of qualified limited immunity will actual leave Police Officers subject to the of trial attorneys. I say that as a guy who was a trial attorney. Im really familiar with how works. So this bill will nationalize at the same time higher crime, less safety. , less be always means this will less respects for rights of individuals in this country. I urge my colleagues this bill. On and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas, ms. Escobar. The speaker pro tempore the is lelady from texas recognized. Ms. Escobar thank you, mr. Speaker. George n support of the Floyd Justice in policing act. Witnessed country the brutal murder of george floyd was a critical Tipping Point for america. A murder has sparked movement, one of renewed calls for civil rights and justice for all. Thousands of americans have been marching in the streets. Heyre not asking for incentives for studies or for task forces. No. Marching for and and demanding meaningful change and meaningful reform. To us to rise up and deliver on change that will moment. S i pray that our republican colleagues have a change of heart and decide to join us on journey toward true reform. This bill is only the beginning, for a whole o push of government response, from congress to the state house to halls all over america. Our country deserves no less. Less. Oment deserves no george floyd deserves no less. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore sorry. The gentleman from north dakota is recognized. Armstrong i ask unanimous consent to control the time. To the gentleman from georgia. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Carter thank you, mr. Speaker. Purposes. E for two one is to express my opposition bill. S my second purpose is to express hope that we can we can ether and that negotiate a longlasting and a compromise, an american compromise to an problem. Just yesterday, the democrats in the senate blocked senator tim the justice act. They blocked it from moving with debate. They blocked it from moving for negotiation. D thats not an american solution. We all agree this is an american problem. We all agree we need an american solution and we all agree that hat means we got to have negotiation. Have eans we got to compromise. The minority leader in the enate wouldnt even allow our counterparts in the senate to discuss solutions and allow them right pathf its the forward. Ow here we find ourselves in the house facing a situation partisan bill, rafted without republican involvement thats being brought to the house floor to be voted on in a rushed process. Not an american solution problem. Rican weve seen calls to defund the police and dismantle police the united across states. We all know that can only lead outcomes. We all know that the police are serve. O protect and to yes, we all know that there are bad policemen out there. There are bad actors in every profession, and we know they need to be weeded out. Do that, and we also know that those bad policemen to the good ive policemen as they are to anyone. See them weeded out more than the good policemen out. To see them weeded this bill does nothing to and reassure calls americans that things will happen. No. No is a partisan bill with republican involvement whatsoever. His bill also doesnt take appropriate steps to ensure that Law Enforcement officers are orking to improve their relations with the community. The community that they serve protect. We all said weve all said we need community policing. Ask any policeman, any good policeman out there, whats the practice . E and theyll tell you community policing. Thats what we need. This bill limits their ability to do their jobs and keep them it keeps them in rather than interacting with the people in their communities. What they want to do. Hey are not there for the money. We know that. Theres not a Single Police person out there thats there money. Theyre there to protect and to serve. And they want communities policing. What they want. Mr. Speaker, in my district, we tragic death of a young an whose life ended way too early. Ahmaud arbery. His was something that none of us should accept in our society and none of us will accept in our society. Happened. Have never weve had protests, as we should have protests. Proud of the first congressional district, because our protests have been productive. Protests, and yes, we are protesting. Results. Getting because were protesting in the right way. Change the ting to system. Thats what we want to do. An e protesting to have american solution to an american problem. The right path forward, mr. And er, is discussion negotiation with our eyes, with with our mission set on real reforms. That. Ill doesnt have this bill doesnt represent that. This bill is not an american problem. To an american thats why im urging my this bill. To oppose thats why im urging my to negotiate, to compromise. My s why im encouraging colleagues to come up with an american solution to an american problem. You, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler thank you. I yield one minute to the gentlelady from minnesota, ms. Omar. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from minnesota is recognized. Thank you, chairman. Mr. Speaker, i rise today on city of the people of my of minneapolis who are angry, tired of ck, who are being murdered at the hands of police. Behalf of jamal clark who was shot in the back and police in inneapolis 2015. I rise on behalf of philando was brutally murdered by police. I rise on behalf of black like myself who stay up worried every single night so their sons can come home safe. Garner,n behalf of eric sandra bland, fredric gray. George n behalf of floyd, who was brutally murdered murder touched our nation. So many can no longer rise. System that a provides equal justice for we yone here in america, might finally all rise. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. Minutes r i yield two to the distinguished gentleman from missouri, mr. Clay. The speaker pro tempore the is recognized. Mr. Clay mr. Speaker, our nation has reached an inflection oint in our history. Our country is demanding change after four simpleries of systemic racism toward africanamericans. The members of of this body must listen and respond to the who wantof americans this country to correct course towards the constitutions promise of equal justice under the law. Your neighbors, your friends, your children and grandchildren pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act. Forward inently move a comprehensive way to erase the nation. Racism on this existing since africans were first brought ashore. History will judge us by our actions today at this pivotal moment. Future generations will look at this moment and wonder. When you had the opportunity to stand and guide our country in this ongoing quest to be a more , the question will be asked what did you do. You can begin today to begin to make right the many wrongs, perpetrated upon people of color and ensure our country lives up to its great promise. So we must get to yes. Vote yes on this legislation. To improve the quality of life for people that are as american as any one of you. Video evidence has clearly shown, africanamericans are still due all the rights and privileges granted by the 14th amendment. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Clay in the words of missouri poet lang tong langston hughes, i swear to the lord i still cant see why democracy means everybody but me. I too am america. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the time has expired. The gentleman from new york reserves. Without objection, the gentleman from ohio will control the time. The gentleman is recognized. We cant to reserve. We continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentleman from kentucky, mr. Yarmuth. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Yarmuth i rise in support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act because it is an abomination that the people who keep me safe cause others to live in fear. I was bre on in a taylors congressman and i will continue to represent her until she gets justice. Because bre on in a taylor, when her door was broken down after midnight, wasnt just killed by one cop, a bad apple, or even three. I rise because bre on in a taylor was kill Breonna Taylor was killed by a system, a police hat that allowed to fire blindably li into her home and said thats not a crime. Rise because breonnas story while tragic is not unique. The law is more often about shielding those committing atrossities. With while tragedies like breonnas are not uncommon, i am not one and millions must live in fear, i am not one of them. People who look like me are not among them. I rise because this system is far too badly broke fortune bandaid solutions. This bill this most dramatic rethinking of policing ever to come before the United States congress, is a muchneeded and long overdue step, and every day we delay will cost more lives. I rise because hundreds of thousands make their voices heard and shown me the way and most importantly i rise because black lives matter. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman fro ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler just today we heard the following. We are just going to go out and start slaughtering them. North carolina cops fired after racist talk of killing black residents. Wipe them off the fing map, thatll put them back four or five generations. Thats why we say its systemic racism. I yield bun one minute to the distinguished gentleman from illinois, mr. Davis. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Davis i rise in strong support of the legislation that is long overdue. As a matter of fact people like me have been fighting these issues for years and years. And now to get an opportunity to actually vote. I want to thank chairman nadler, chairman bass, for giving us the opportunity to vote on what might become and should be the most important legislation we will pass this year because it does say that black lives and all lives matter. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i ask unanimous consent that the gentlelady from california, the distinguished chair of the crime subcommittee and sponsor of this legislation, be permitted to control the remained ore they have time on the majority side. The speaker pro tempore without objection. He gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Bass the gentlelady from florida, representative wasserman schultz, for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida is recognized for one minute. Ms. Wasserman schultz thank you, mr. Speaker. Today we take a crucial step toward racial justice. We do it in the name of george floyd, Breonna Taylor, tony mcdavid, corey jones and all those lives unjustly taken by Law Enforcement. We mourn and say their names on the house floor because their lives and all black lives matter. So lets move to end the policing culture that lacks Real Transparency and accountability. Lets unite to ban barbaric choke holds and build a registry so Problematic Police dont just move to another town to keep a badge. Lets outlaw racial profiling and dangerous noknock warrants. This bill targets bad actors and practices and affirms the standards professional Law Enforcement set for themselves including a duty to serve and protect. Half measures are not acceptable. Not when men and women are killed because of their skin color. Lets seize this moment to dismant they will centuries of institutional racism embedded in ur Justice System. It doesnt get more american than making sure justice is meeted out fairly and without regard lets all vote for the George Floyd Justice in policing act. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i recognize representative pascrell from the great state of new jersey for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Mr. Pascrell thank you, mr. Speaker. The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice, Martin Luther king said. I want to thank chairwoman bass, chairman nadler, senator booker for their leadership on this landmark piece of legislation. We stand here today at a great moral reckoning for millions of black and brown americans. Our country is unequal unequal. The tragic murders of black and brown americans by the very people and institutions meant to protect them make clear something needs to change. I watched the protests. Ive heard the courage and cries for justice. Ive marched and today we show that this house is listening. George Floyd Justice in policy act is the largest Reform Congress has undertaken in generations. It is no half measure but a full measure. The growing divide between our men and women in blue and the public are sworn to protect is unhealthy for the democracy, it is unhealthy for Public Safety, it is unhealthy for the brothers in blue. I stand here as the cochair of First Responders and Public Safety in congress. Its time we make clear black lives matter and never forget it. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the gentlelady from massachusetts. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Speaker, i rise today on behalf of every black family that has been robbed of a child. On behalf of every Family Member thats been forced to see their loved one lynched on national television. Driving while black. Jogging while black. Sleeping while black. We have been criminalized for the very way we show up in the world. Ms. Bress lee under the harsh gauge of far too many my black body is seen as a threat, always considered armed. Centuries of institutionalized oppression will not be undone overnight. With the power of the pen we must legislate accountability, dismant they will systems and move in the direction of justice and heal. The justice in policing act is a step in the right direction but our work is unfinished. Theres a a rallying cry across the nation. Black lives matter is a mandate from the people. Its time. Pay us what you owe us. Our black skin is not a crime, it is a beautiful robe of nation builders. Thank you, i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield to the distinguished gentleman from our great state, the state of ohio, mr. Gonzalez, for three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Gonzalez thank you, mr. Speaker. While i will not be supporting this bill today i want to commebbed my colleagues for bringing this debate to the floor. Mr. Jeffries, mr. Richmond, many others who ive watched on television back in my office have spoke within a conviction and a truth that cannot be denied. As a former professional and College Football player, ive been hearing these painful stories for my entire adult life from my own teammates. Ive seen it myself. I went out in the community with some of my africanamerican friends. While i can never fully understood its effects or its impact, i know its real. And we have to address it. Around our dener tables, in our communities, and here on the house floor. Black lives have always mattered. I also know a few other important things. Number one, the American People are starving for us to Work Together. In a bipartisan way to get a passable bill on the president s desk and signed into law. This has been one of the most brutal times in our life. First the coronavirus. Then the economy. So much uncertainty. Finally the brutality enacted on george floy as he was murdered on the streets of minneapolis. Legitimate protest movements getting overshadowed by anarchists who wish to burn it all down. This has been a brutal summer and its only june. Number two, with very few exceptions this house is yined in wanting to deliver for the country. I have spoken to dozens of member on both sides of the aisle and this body wants to act. Every call that ive been on since the murder of george floyd has been a near universal desire for action and meaningful reform. We believe our bill does that. I know theres disagreement there though. But i also know were not that far apart. Finally, we all know that todays bill will not become law. I know my colleagues are sincere in their desire to enact this law but we know that this will never see the light of day in the senate and there is no chance that it will be signed into law. Yesterday on the senate floor, we saw senator scott deliver a powerful, impassioned plea for compromise and debate. True negotiation. We all know that that is the only way that we can live up to our duties as members of congress and deliver for the people of this country who so desperately need a win right now. We live in divided government whether we like it or not. And to the majority i would say, you are the majority. This choice is yours. Please do not let it slip away. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from california. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Speaker, i mr. Takano this is necessary and bold legislation that includes critical provisions to hold Police Accountable and to save lives and includes a ban on noknock warrants, a ban on chokeholds and a prohibition on racial profiling. Breonna, george and other innocent lives were ended by Law Enforcement that face little to no consequences and this bill reforms qualified immunity. And the majoritys idea of compromise is to strip this section out of the bill. I say no, a Police Officer held his knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds leading to his death. This confronts the racism deeply rooted. Congress must act. Vote yes on the George Floyd Justice and policing act. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan reserve. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the gentleman from california, mr. Mcnerney. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. Mr. Mcnerney i thank the chair woman. Racism persists in America Today and its poison pervades our institutions creating barriers that magnify inequality and injustice. This comes as no surprise. But unform it has taken Many Americans too long to acknowledge this truth. We cannot ignore how the remnants of slavery and jim crow era maintained a strong hold, our criminal Justice System disproportionately penalizes people of color with blanket immunity for those who disregard humanand dignity. Today we have the opportunity to right these wrongs and tell the world that the u. S. House of representatives believes that black lives matter. The George Floyd Justice and policing act will make much needed reforms Holding Police accountable to combatting racial profiling. When this law passes, this will make a real difference in american life. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this essential legislation. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the good from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from virginia. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized for one minute. I thank my good friend from california for her brilliant leadership on this very important matter. Mr. Connolly i rise in support of this bill. Im proud to cosponsor this overdue proposal to end brutality in Law Enforcement and will address the assistic racism that has marred american Law Enforcement for far too long. We timely say enough is enough. We have had enough of religious and racial profiling and had enough with chokeholds and qualified immunity and enough of police using military grade equipment. This bill will help us move from a culture of impunity. All too often in our Law Enforcement communities to accountability. We serve in accountability. This bill reaffirms this principle in democracy and proud to support it in the memory of the murdered george floyd. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan reserve. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the gentleman from nevada, mr. Horsford. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from nevada is recognized for one minute. Mr. Horsford thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in favor of this bill. I want to commend our chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. And for reonna, ahmad, all of the other black lives matter we need concrete federal reforms to address the root causes of these injustices, george floyd should still be alive today. And we can like the dr. Martin luther king said, bend the arc of justice when all americans will be treated with humanity by Law Enforcement. During this moment of national anguish we must insist on bold change. This legislation is necessary to save lives and seek justice and i am proud to cast my vote in favor of this legislation today. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the woman from new mexico epresentative haaland. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Haaland mr. Speaker, our Justice System has been bias, slavery, the trail of tears, lankets laid with smallpox and Breonna Taylor and george floyd. Justice has never been just for everyone but only for some people. The barriers that have long blocked many people from achieving the American Dream have been revealed under the knees of police. The racism in our system is long lasting and change is long overdue. I support the just justice and policing act. This is hope for systemic racism. This bill envisions a new model of Public Safety that works to end racial bias, pro meets deescalation training and builds on community trust, transparency and accountability. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this historic bill. And mr. Speaker, i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan i yield to the distinguished the gentleman from great state of virginia as much time as he may consume the speaker pro tempore without objection. The tragic killing of george floyd, Breonna Taylor ap so many others have led to a nationwide cry for action to address racism and target Police Violence in america and across the country. Millions of americans have peacefully rallied, protested, marched and prayed to change laws to pursue additional accountability and transparency in Police Departments. My own district in virginia, i was proud to join those who stood up against racism and declare black lives matter. I was optimistic that we could rise to the occasion to the many injustices that have come to light. But today im saddened, saddened that the majority has slammed the door shut on republicans, slammed the door shut on real reform, slammed the door shut on real bipartisan and slammed the door shut on senator tim scotts proposals as we sought to Work Together on a bipartisan sluge. Instead of working across the aisle and instead of taking senator scott to work on a bill that could be signed into law, the majority is pushing a bill through the house that cannot be signed into law and that will, in fact, impede the ability of good Police Officers to do their jobs effectively and further, allow bad cops to hide behind Police Union Collective Bargaining agreements. My colleagues and i offered amendments in an effort to improve this bill. My amendment to ensure collective bargaining agreements do not protect violent officers was rejected and under the closed rule it was not made in order. While i do thank the chair of the subcommittee in ensuring that porgs of my amendment were included that the department of justice now would have the ability to pursue bad cops through consent decrees, it fails to go directly address the many troublesome provisions found in agreements that my amendment would have prevented, provisions like ensuring access to evidence before interviews about alleged wrongdoing, provisions delaying officer interviews after alleged misconduct, mandateing the destruction of disciplinary records. Nobody wants that to be a policy of a local Police Department. Prohibiting the investigations of misconduct after a set length of time, prohibiting the investigation of anonymous complaints, requiring arbitration after being dissplained or terminated. These are provisions that do not belong in collective bargaining agreements for our local Police Departments. Between 2006 and 2017 according to the washington post, the nations largest Police Departments fired nearly 1,900 Police Officers for misconduct, but those departments were forced to reinstate more than 450 officers after appeals required by Union Collective bargaining agreements. Further, collective bargaining agreements have been linchinged to violent incidents. One study found a 40 increase in florida after a change of collective bargaining laws there. In 2006, there was a report that found Law Enforcement agencies operating under a collective argaining agreement with 9. 9 complaints. And during the disciplinary process only of the complaints were sustained or found to have merits and agencies without unions, the sustain rate was more than double at 15 . This was just another example by not including my amendment how the majority refused to work with us ratherents where we cou common grouped, we were cut out. There is nothing in this legislation to address the reckless efforts by some officials further to defund, dismantle or disband Police Departments. Our Police Officers who serve our communities work to ensure that lawlessness and the anarchy and death that happened in seattle is a perfect example of what defund the police would look like across america. Frankly, its no surprise that the American People are fed up with washington. As mr. Hudson referred to earlier, this was a moment in our history that calls for unity and healing but with eyes in november elections, politics drives the debate rather than sound Public Policy. We are outraged by the tragedies and it is unacceptable that the legislation reaches the house floor in a partisan manner. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill in its current form and urge them to reconsider because to get legislation across the finish line, we need to put politics aside and uphold the foundational principles of our republic and live out the motto inscribed on the Supreme Court building, equal justice under the law. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore squasm ohio reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i want to thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle for the ideas that you were concerned about and the fact that you recognized that part of your ideas we did incorporate in the managers amendment. So i do look forward to working with you in the future and say to several of my other colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we have had many conversations. Many conversations leading up to this and im sure those conversations will continue but im really encouraged to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle number one agree that what happened in minneapolis was a horrific act of violence and that the issue of police abuse is a real issue. And the issue of systemic racism is a real issue. When these situations have happened before, when people have been killed, even when they have been killed on video and always seem up for debate, maybe we dont know what happened before the camera went on and maybe he was a criminal. And there is a problem in this country. There is a historic problem in this country and we will eventually get there and move forward and have a bill i am happy that we will be passing this bill today. But i dont see this as the end. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute ms. Y colleague from oregon, bonamici. Ms. Bonamici i rise in strong support of the George Floyd Justice and policing act. Black people have been fighting for centuries for freedom, equality and justice under the law. The senseless death of george floyd is the latest tragic example of how too often the black community is targeted rather than supported by Law Enforcement. In oregon and around the country, people from all backgrounds are demanding change and the bill before us today answers their call. It bans chokeholds and noknock outs and creates a Public National Police Misconduct registry and increases accountability and oversight of federal, state and local. We cannot bring back the countless others that have been treated by the sri individuals who swore an oath to protect them but honor their memory today. Bypassing this legislation to prevent abuses Going Forward. I applaud our chairperson and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. The speaker pro tempore mr. Jordan i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Mr. Bass we yield to the gentlelady from california ms. Bass we yield to the gentlelady from california, ms. Barbara lee. Ms. Lee thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Let me thank chairwoman bass for her visionary and tremendous leadership and let me just say a couple of things about this bill. First of all, finally this bill, after generations, will begin to end systemic racism in policing. Young people from all backgrounds are demanding action and have said to the world that enough is enough. As the mother and grandmother of black men and boys, i have too many painful conversations, as do all black families, about what to do to make sure their encounters with the police are not deadly. The trauma around these fears are lifelong. This is not normal. But for africanamerican parents, sadly, it is. The tragic murder of george floyd and so many africanamericans around the country, including my own district, with oscar grant, demand action. These challengic murders demand justice, that this bill provides. For example, by ending qualified immunity. No one is above the law. The world is watching today, mr. Speaker. The United Nations passed a resolution condemning the violent practices perpetrated by Law Enforcement against people of african descent in the United States of america. Let us show the rest of the world that we truly intend to live up to our creed of liberty and justice for all and, yes, that means also black lives do matter. Thank you and i urge an aye vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the great lady from florida, representative cass tor. Castor. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida is ecognized. Mr. Speaker, can i ms. Bass mr. Speaker, excuse me, can i inquire how much time remains on each side . The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california has 56 minutes re remaining. The gentleman from ohio has 50 minutes remaining. The gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Castor justice. Justice. I have heard my neighbors and their calls for justice. Black lives matter. And i dedicate my vote on the George Floyd Justice in policing act today to the generations of tampa neighbors who have suffered the unfair burdens of discrimination, disrespect and violence due to the color of their skin. Too many lives over too many years in america cut short at the hands of officers who were supposed to protect them. So House Democrats will act decisively today to ensure that Police Officers are held accountable for misconduct and that lives are saved. We will end harmful policing practices, including racial profiling, noknock warrants and chokeholds. The time for change is now. In fact, a new paradigm for policing in america is overdue. And i want to thank my good friend, congresswoman karen bass of california, for bringing us closer to justice today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Boil. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized mr. Boyle. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. Mr. Boyle mr. Speaker, the coronavirus has infected our great nation for months. But racism has infected our society for centuries. Racism has helped cause disparities in education, health, housing and, of course, criminal justice. Well, today we take a historic step to finally do something about it. I am proud to support and cosponsor the George Floyd Justice in policing act. It is time, it is long past time that we breathe new life again into our motto, equal justice for all. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from new york, representative maloney. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york is recognized. Or one minute. Mrs. Maloney i thank the gentlelady for yielding and her leadership, along with the Congressional Black Caucus in moving this important bill to the floor. I rise today with americans across the country who are demanding change. I rise in strong support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act. This vital reform package addresses Police Brutality, Law Enforcement accountability, and Racial Injustice. It creates a Data Collection standard, bans racial and religious profiling, ends the use of chokeholds that killed eric gardner and george floyd, and bans noknock warrants like the one that took the life of Breonna Taylor. It ends qualified immunity to allow full accountability. This bill is a critical first step toward a more just nation. We cannot be a country that declares black lives matter if we fail to make lasting change to protect the lives of black people. We are facing a historic moment and we must deliver historic change. Vote yes on h. R. 7120. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from california, ms. Eshoo. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Congressional Black Caucus and to its chairwoman, congresswoman bass, for their extraordinary leadership. The death of george floyd has shaken the conscience of our entire country and people around the world. And its laid bare the Racial Disparities in policing that black americans face every day, but for too long have been ignored. Thats why millions of americans are peacefully protesting across our country, demanding justice. The justice in policing act is bold and its historic. It takes headon chokeholds, noknock arrests, racial profiling, and the militarization of the police. It will bring accountability and transparency to Police Departments across our country and raise the standards of the profession and instull best instill best practices to enissue you are that all to ensure that all americans feel safe when interacting with Law Enforcement. This legislation is the face of justice. It will make america fairer, it will make america stronger and every member of this body should vote for it. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognize ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Chairman, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from georgia, mr. Bishop. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized for one minute. Mr. Bishop i support the George Floyd Justice in policing act, which changes the criminal conduct standard from woeful to knowing or reckless, ends qualified immunity, strengthens the pattern and practice used at the federal and state level, establishes National Standards for Law Enforcement, invests in Public Safety innovation grants, establishes a Public National Police Misconduct registry, requires Data Collection on the use of force, bans chokeholds and conditions federal grants on banning chokeholds. Bans noknock warrants and racial profiling. Establishes a duty to intervene by other officers. Mandates use of body cameras and prohibits sexual acts with anyone under arrest, detention or in custody. Ive always supported Law Enforcement and i still do. But today the universal cries for change in justice demand that we hold Law Enforcement to the same standard of justice as any other american, by passing the George Floyd Justice in policing act now. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Chairman. We yield five minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the great state of florida, a member of the Oversight Committee and the Judiciary Committee, mr. Steube. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Steube thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise in opposition to this bill and House Democrats completely partisan attempt at actual Law Enforcement reform. They call it the justice in policing act, but this legislation would not achieve justice for anyone. Instead, it would promote anarchy and put our Law Enforcement officers lives at risk. It would end Legal Protection for our officers who actually follow their training and protocol. It would take essential weapons and protective equipment away from our police. In a time like today where Law Enforcement officers are ambushed and targeted just because of their profession, were going to take away their ability to receive protective equipment. So not only do the democrats want to take away an officers Legal Protection if they follow their training and protocol, then they want to take away their protective vests, protective shields and protective vehicles, they get military transfers that protect our officers from bullets. None of which has anything to do with George Floyds death. How does this make any sense . I can tell you it doesnt make any sense to the mass majority of americans who trust that someone will be there when they call 911. This legislation comes from the state party who has been calling to defund the police. Members of this very body have called to defund our Police Officers and Police Departments. I have to ask my colleagues how they think that would help. Defunding the police wont solve any problems and only poses an extraordinary risk to our citizens who depend on societys most basic Governmental Service of protecting life and property. This is nothing more than an outburst of political emotion and a willing tons take advantage of civil unrest willingnessness to take advantage of civil unrest. And this civil unrest is not constructive. Its anarchy. It also doesnt take into account the hundreds of thousands of good Police Officers risking everything to keep us safe. Officers like julian keen jr. From my state of florida. Unfortunately youll never hear about the tragic death of this black officer in the mainstream media. It doesnt fit the narrative so, theyll ignore it. However in florida we will never forget officer keen, who was laid to rest this week, and the positive influence he had on our community. And after the criminal who killed him found out that he was a Police Officer in plain clothes, pulled out a gun and killed him. So it begs the question. Who is really responsible for the flaws in Law Enforcement protocols . All of these departments with all of these problems and issues are all run by democratic commissions and Democratic City Councils. This is not a federal issue. This is a Minneapolis Police issue or an Atlanta Police issue or a ferguson issue or a chicago issue, where just this past weekend they had one of the most violent weekends over fathers day weekend. This is an issue with democratic leadership in these cities who have failed to keep up with standards, training and protocol. Some of these departments have training standards dating back to the 1980s. Why, you ask . Because their democratic leadership has failed to make necessary reforms in their departments. And now its the federal governments role to police local Police Departments run by Democratic City Council or commission. Well, will those commissions and leaders ever be held accountable . Everyone in this Chamber Wants justice for george floyd and his family of and they will get that in a court of law where justice belongs. If the democratic majority truly wants to reform our Police Departments, and if they truly want to fix the problems, then the focus should be on the agencies with the problems and their leadership. Not passing a progressive messaging bill in an Election Year that you know has no chance of becoming law. This legislation doesnt get justice for anyone. Instead it fails to address the real underlying problems while attempting to vilify our Law Enforcement officers. It wont go anywhere in the senate and it certainly wont go to the president s desk. So lets call it what it is. A political messaging bill. The longer we spend on this, the more time we waste in working on actual, tangible solutions. Time to put politics aside and work on Real Solutions where the problems are actually located. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass yes. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that there is absolutely nothing in our bill that calls for defunding the police. And in fact, i recall that this body funded First Responders in the heroes act and that that bill is languishing in the senate. So maybe my good colleagues on the other side of the aisle might call up their senators and ask that they move on the heroes act, that might be the first thing to do. And this bill is not against police. In fact, this bill is calling for standards and training and accreditation, and in conversations that ive had with the association of Police Chiefs, they said, and also the fraternal order of police, said that there are 18,000 Police Departments across the United States and they have been fighting for accreditation and standards for years. But it takes a very long time to do it department by department and they encourage this part of the bill. Now, granted, they dont love the whole bill, but this part of the bill they absolutely do. And to say that is magical thinking or denial. That is not the case at all and i encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to actually examine his state. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Kennedy. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Senator kennedy i want to thank mr. Kennedy i want to thank chairwoman bass. When history is written, why our nation had to watch george floyd had the life drained by his body by the knee of a white Police Officer to know our system is broken and Breonna Taylors name and noknock warrants and people et and aubrey was hunted and limped and unshakeable target on black men. Or too long, you let ignorance cuddle white sprimeists and shelter oppression and hate. We can move. We can use the power of this body in this chamber to do more than acknowledge a movement. We can join it. We can pass the George Floyd Justice and policing act today. Because justice that didnt have to learn that george floyd and name. And ahmads i yield back. Mr. Jordan we reserve sm the speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the gentlelady from alabama, representative sewell. Ms. Sewell i rise in support of the just is and policing act. We have tens of thousands of americans take to the streets demanding justice not only for george, breonna and all add and black americans that have been killed by police. Police brutality is a symptom of a larger problem and that is cystic racism. Black lives matter. Why we cannot legislate away, we can work to ensure that those in power are held accountable. This is bold legislation that will change the culture of Law Enforcement and help build trust between Law Enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism. The streets are calling out for bold and transformal containing and make sure that the people we see them and hear them and at laft we are doing something about it. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the George Floyd Justice and policing act. And i yield back. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i yield 1 minute 30 seconds to the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized is recognized for one minute and 30 seconds. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, i want to thank the gentlelady from california for her long time and courageous actions and leadership on these and other important issues. Mr. Speaker, george floyd, breonna tailo, chad robinson, lenny jones, o, inn toneo, sandra bland, leon, scott, eric garner, greg hampton. Mr. Speaker, these are the names of the timeless murdered by Police Officers. Some of them in my hometown of chicago, illinois. Thank god for h. R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice and policing act. There but for the grace of god goes i. I yield become. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass i yield 45 seconds to the the gentleman from new jersey 45 seconds. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Gottheimer i rise today as a proud cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice and policing act of 2020. I thank the congressional plaque caucus led by karen bass and cory booker and others on this landmark legislation. The need for structural reform cannot be clear as our country mourns the murder of george floyd, just one of the most instances of the long painful history of violence and discrimination of black american men and women. We are experiencing an outpouring to end bigotry and end racism that has held a grip on our country and affirming yes that black lives matter. We should be inspired by the Peaceful Demonstrations calling for justice. Our freedom is the cornstone of our nation. We must continue to Work Together and join me in supporting this important bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan we reserve. Ms. Bass i yield two minutes to he great lady from california, representative waters. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized for two minutes. Ms. Waters thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Members, i rise to support h. R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice and placing act which bans chokeholds and creates a national Police Misconduct registry and make it easier to prosecute police for their brutality among much needed provisions. I thank the black caucus and everybody else who worked so hard to make sure we have this moment. The murder of george floyd and the flesh that officers seem to take over a struggling black man are nothing new. My heart broke when i saw the murder, not just for george floyd and his loved ones but this brutality and all the Police Violence against black men and women have been used for centuries to terrorize and silence the black community. I have been fighting against this as a member of the California State Assembly when i took on the then police chief ates who popularized the chokehold men and killed men men between 1975 and 1982. And brave men and women have confronted bad cops, racist cops and brutal Police Chiefs and police protective unions who shield them from accountability. I want to pay tribute to angela and the black panthers who fought hard to sacrifice and reverend al sharpton and assisted families in getting legal representation when these issues were not popular. I thank reverend jackson who worked with me to confront chief gates and thank colin keap nick who took the knee and i want to thank black lives matter. Uncompromising. Energetic and undoing. And challenge the mayors and members of City Councils and county commissioners who control Police Budgets to get the courage to reimagine what it serves to undo the system of rogue cops and in closing. I want to say to the protestors, i stand with you, no justice, no peace. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan i would ask unanimous consent to allow the gentleman from north dakota to control our time. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Jordan we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california. Ms. Bass i would like to yield one minute to the gentlelady rom california, representative spir. S. Speier bass gas two minutes, im sorry. Expire expire i want to rise to support the justice and policing act and applaud the congresswoman bass and Congressional Black Caucus because black lives matter. All lives cant matter until black lives matter. Im grateful that my bill which makes it a crime for Law Enforcement officers to engage in a sexual act with anyone in their custody or while exercising their authority has been included in this bill. Why is this important . Because Sexual Violence is the second most frequently reported form of Police Misconduct after Excessive Force. Yet in many states, officers can claim consent. Yesterday, i held a town hall with dr. John gates, who shared his experience as being a black man in america. A piece of his soul dies ever time a black man or woman dies d his love of america is there. And black men and women were brought to these shores did he prived of our liberty. Where e considered and was our humanity then and where is it now. Racism in america did not end with the and litigation of slavery. Americas original sin and did not end with the passage of the act. Ghts ack act some inevitably touted their passage to cure ourselves of the poison of racism. Our history of pursuing civil rights in this chamber is comprised of successes and failures. Of course passing this bill today will not end racism, but further the righteous cause of not just equality but equity in this country. Most americans are not racist, but not enough of us are antiracist. And that is where we need to be. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan i yield my friend from georgia as much time as he may consume. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Thank you, mr. Speaker and i thank you for this time. I came here, there is a lot happening in this country today that i dont understand. I really dont understand. I have a lot of friends back home. Friends black and white, asian, hispanic and i talk to them and they dont understand what is happening in this nation today. I try to put my finger on it, but im kind of losing track of where are we going and where it is going. Whyp arent we going together. Why do we keep dividing ourselves and using different issues to divide ourselves . I dont understand why george floyd died under the knee of a Police Officer. I really dont. I was horrified when i watched the video of him. Regardless of what his race is. That was horrific. I dont understand what happened. But i also dont understand why seemingly to his murder, it was seemed appropriate to destroy the homes, the businesses, the livelihood of innocent people who had nothing to do with it. I dont understand that. I dont understand why retired police chief david dorn was gunned to death as he was trying to protect one of these businesses, a business owned by someone who had nothing to do with any of this. I dont understand why a las vegas Police Officer was shot in the head while attempting to isperse protestors and jay underwood, a protective Police Officer was shot in oakland, california. I cant wrap my hands around that. Why four st. Louis Police Officers were shot at a peaceful protest that was turned violent. I dont understand why in new york city, a Police Officer was attacked and beaten by several men while onlookers encouraged them to do that. A Police Officer had nothing to do with what happened to george floyd or the young man in brunswick, georgia or atlanta. Mr. Speaker, theres Something Else i dont understand. I dont understand why three years ago this month i was on a baseball field when a man crazed by extreme political ideology walked on the baseball field and started shooting bullets at me. And many of my colleagues. I dont understand why that happened. Theres Something Else i dont understand. As i was there in the line of fire, i dont understand why one of our capitol Police Officers, who didnt know anything about me, we werent friends at the time, he walked into the line of fire to draw fire away from me and one of my colleagues so we could opefully get to his partner, and matt mika who had been wounded by the shooter. The bible tells us that theres no greater love, that someone would lay down their life or willly lay down their life for someone else. When i see that officer walk out in the line of fire to protect me, who didnt know me, a black man, im a white man, i sometimes wonder, why do they do that . My dad served in the army. He was on the dday invasion. And i often wonder, why, why they would step off those boats for people that they dont know. And walk into the line of fire. I mean, these are things that i really dont understand. I also dont understand why were not working together to improve Law Enforcement in this nation. I dont know why the media and some here want to take the action of one or two or a few and apply it to Law Enforcement all across the board. When ive seen what these Law Enforcement officers do, they put their lives on the line aily for us. I dont know what the answer is. But i do know those who do and i called on the Police Chiefs in my district to get together and lets talk about this. And we met yesterday. And you know, theres some stuff that we all agree on that they agree on. Theres plenty of things that they want to see happen. They all agree that we should hold officers more accountable. They also agree that we should have a database to track those officers who are bad officers so they know theyre hiring someone who has had problems in other states or jurisdictions. Thats a problem for them. These Police Chiefs, they want good Law Enforcement, theyre there to serve the communities. Theyre there to uphold law and order. Something else i dont understand is, when we see whats going on on tv, why some of these officers show up to work the next day. And they go to try to protect the peaceful protesters, and theyre attacked by the violent ones. And in some cases get no support out of their leadership. I dont understand why they do that. Our Police Chiefs said they need more training. They need more funding. One of the problems when it comes to cutting the budgets of our Police Officers and our Police Departments and Law Enforcement, usually the first thing that goes is training. They agree they need more training. We need more Mental Health support in this nation. The police told me that i would be surprised. And im going to spend more time with them. I spent a lot of time with our Law Enforcement already but im going to go ride with them to experience some of this. I encourage all of my colleagues to do this. They said they spend an unbelievable amount of time oncalls of Mental Health issues that they really cant do anything about because a person hasnt committed a crime, they may be on the verge of suicide, but they havent committed a crime so, they cant arrest them and they just have to stay there with them and sometimes they may get somebody to come out and they may not. It puts them in a very difficult position. So theyre all about doing more , doing more with Mental Health issues. Theres a lot that we support. Now, i did hear it said earlier that this is not defunding the police. But let me tell you what, 100 of the Police Chiefs in that meeting said to me, if you remove qualified immunity, you will be shutting down the Police Departments in america. Because they will not be able to retain tear officers. Retain their officers. That was 100 of the Police Chiefs. And there are Police Chiefs in all types of demographics. I have part of atlanta. I go up into the rural parts of georgia. But they 100 said, if you remove our qualified immunity, we will not keep Police Officers and you will shut down Law Enforcement in this nation as we know it. There was one other thing that they were 100 behind. Senator tim scotts bill. Every one of them was 100 behind what was in that bill. Now, a lot of it they already do. They ban chokeholds, theyre way ahead of a lot of different departments. There are some things in this bill they agree with. But there are also 100 they are also 100 against this bill. 100 of the Police Chiefs i met with in my district, which was virtually all but a couple of departments, were against this bill and the way its written right now. And the one thing that they asked for me to portray is, lets not paint all Law Enforcement with a broad brush. Those Police Officers who are risking their lives, the good ones, they feel like theyre getting kicked in the rear end by the politicians, at the federal and local level. They want us to Work Together, they want to see us Work Together. If were going to call for unity in this nation, then we better start right here. Instead of trying to ramrod a political bill that is not going to go anywhere and we know we should be here working ogether to get something done. That, mr. Speaker, is what i dont understand right now. Why were not doing that. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass im so sorry that my colleague on the over side of the aisle is so confused and has so much trouble understanding. Perhaps it might help if he studied more history, u. S. History, to understand that why that knee was on George Floyds neck is because of racism in this country. Perhaps my colleague on the other side of the aisle could go to alabama to the Legacy Museum so that he could understand a little bit about u. S. History. Perhaps my colleague on the other side of the aisle could go to the memorial for lynching and learn a little bit about his state of georgia, where many of the lynchings were carried out by Law Enforcement officers. When he said that Police Chiefs 100 were against this bill is just not true. Ive met a with Police Chiefs and they support parts of the bill. The National Organization of black Law Enforcement officers support this bill. The fraternal order of police are not completely opposed to this bill. So i would like to work with my colleague on the other side of the aisle to help him understand a little bit more of the history of the United States. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield one minute and 30 seconds to the gentlelady from the virgin islands. Ms. Plaskett thank you so much to my colleague and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who has led us in this fight here on this floor. As we make a Historic Movement towards justice. Im so upset that my colleague, my classmate, left before i could help him understand. I wanted to give him books that he could read. He could read blind spot blind spot the hidden bias of people, white fry jillity, why its so hard for white people to talk about racism. The new jim crow. If he didnt want to read a book, he could look at a documentary. How about the 13th amendment. But if he doesnt want to do that, if he wants to support give him a good cop story why to do it. Ill ask my colleagues to this, if not for george floyd, and the countless others killed at the hands of police, black americans who live in fear of Police Brutality, i ask you to support good cop. I ask you to support it for my father who called me up and bill. This was a good a cop who was on the new York City Police force and said the biggest threat to every good op is a bad cop. This present system will put down a good policeman trying to do the right thing. To speak up for whats right. Then will surely keep down a good black cop. Or for my four sons who received the talk from that veteran Police Officer who warned of what can happen to you on the street, in a squad car or in the basement of a police precinct. Where often the system is rigged so that good police cant always help you. Support it for those sons who despite the best education, decorum, fear a siren or a police light. The Police Brutality that we all have. As we advance this critical work, support this for all americans. Speak the truth that black lives matter. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from north dakota is recognized. I yield to my colleague from texas. I thank the gentleman. I appreciate the remarks from the gentlelady from the virgin islands. My question that i have for this body, as we sit here today, is, why arent we amending the legislation . Why arent we offering and allowing amendments in this great body . In the peoples house. A general question. When i go home, mr. Ayotte assume you all have the i assume you all have the same thing. They say, whats wrong with washington . Why dont we sit down around a table and try to solve problems . And i think this is one of the things that is most perplexing. We see it in the senate as well. Socalled greatest deliberative body. Yet we saw what happened in the senate, where theres an offer for 20 amendments. Mr. Roy a managers amendment from the gentleman from South Carolina, senator scott. And that offer was rejected. Here were not even really having an opportunity to offer an amendment. Have a serious debate. I dont question at all the motives that are behind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in terms of putting forward legislation to try to address a problem we all perceive as a problem we want to address. I look at the bill that weve got here as a republican bill, theres a lot of overlap. Theres some policies in it that are in agreement. And i just dont understand why we cant just start with some nucleus of a bill and offer 20 or 30 amendments, vote on the amendments as a deliberative body, the United States congress. The peoples house. Why cant we just offer amendments and vote on them . And then wherever the amendments take us, at the end of that, vote on a bill. They used that used to happen. I was a staffer in the senate. And we would we had 50 amendments on different bills. My staff today, they look at that as some sort of relic of history. This thing we used to do because we dont do it anymore. I literally dont understand it. It is a question on both sides of the aisle, why we do not sit down and offer legislation and go through it, start with the nucleus, that end amend it. And then amend it. Weve got things here we agree on. On issues such as qualified immunity. Issues such as noknock warrants. Issues that involve asset forfeiture. Issues that go to the heart of liberty and the heart of the ability of an individual american not to be overrun by Law Enforcement. Theres agreement that wed like to have conversations about those issues. There is. My friend from michigan, now an independent, offered legislation about qualified immunity. I dont agree with it. I dont agree with a full abolition of qualified immunity. I dont. My grandfathers a chief of police. I know weve all got Law Enforcement in our communities and theyre worried about what that will do to our Law Enforcement and were seeing it right now. We had 104 shootings in chicago, we had 14 killings. We had a 3yearold boy shot on the street. When he teenagers getting killed, 324 increase in new york shootings. We had a guy get shot in the back of the head while changing his tire in new york. We have lawlessness occurring and this body ought to address it. The attorney general of the United States ought to address it. We ought to enforce the laws of the United States. We ought to have a debate here about that. We ought to have a debate here about ensuring or protecting the citizenry of the United States. It is our fundamental responsibility. It is our job. That is our duty in the constitution, to secure the blessings of liberty. And yet were just going to sit here and take shots across the building with a senate bill and a house bill, with no resolution, and then were going to fly home tomorrow. In what universe in what universe is that the right thing to do . And the American People looking at the peoples house saying job well done, well done. When people are dying literally in the streets of our country right now, of all races. What were the rates of murder in chicago . 104. What were the rates of the threeyearold boy who was shot. These are real issues. Why dont we sit around the table and figure it out instead of legitimating this in the press, taking shots across the capitol dome. Senator scott is a good man offering a good bill. And the speaker of the house says that we are trying to murder george floyd again. I mean, come on. It is our job to secure the blessings of lit. I ask in this chamber that we sit down and figure out lemmings to actually secure that and support our Law Enforcement. 76 million interactions of Law Enforcement with civilians. 99 of those dont result in any kind of and 98 of those dont result in any harm. Lets do our job and lets look at the legislation and Work Together and figure out how to do the job of securing the blessings of liberty. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is ecognized. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the majority leader. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hoyer mr. Speaker, we ought to come together, we ought to reason together and we will get a better product in the legislative process. Sadly, our friends in the United States senate dont always do that. Sadly, when your party was in the leadership, it didnt always do that. And yes, from time to time, we do that. , is is an issue of critical immediate concern and there is a way to get to where the the entleman from texas suggested. Pass legislation in the senate, pass legislation here, well go to conference and we will try to resolve our differences so we can pass a bill. I talked to the gentlelady from california and shes told me, and doesnt want a message, she wants a law. And i am absolutely convinced thats true. And she understands the legislative process very well. But in order to initiative that process we need to pass a bill and we have constraints on amendments because of coronavirus. But having said that, i hope that we pass this bill. And i hope the Senate Passes a bill. Unform, they will have to come to agreement and get 60 votes. I say unfortunately because Mitch Mcconnell is not prepared to get to 60 votes. We dont have to get to 60 votes. Here, the majority rules. And the majority will rule today nd the majority sponsored this bill. Trum eaker, on the ross behind me rostrum behind me, there is inscribed five words, actually, it is in front of me. , tolerance, peace and liberty. It is our individual and collective responsibilities as a member of this house, the peoples house, to ensure that all of these virtues are upheld in the United States. Here is justifiable anger in this country because justice is not being upheld. That does not mean its never being upheld, but it ought to be always upheld. There is a deep frustration because some of those charged with enforcing our laws are doing so without tolerance in a way that disregards the rights and welfare of victims without just cause. That does not say all members of the police. In fact, not the majority. But it does ban actions that are inconsistent with justice and peace and tolerance and liberty. Many of our people will never see the full light of liberty because of the color of their skin. The result has been a broken union and a broken peace. That is why this house must act. We must act to make it clear beyond any doubt to every person livess country that black malter matter. For too long in america, black lives did not matter. Too many people who lived in america were challenged and their lives were counted in the property was at worth. For n their human value, far too long hasnt been a leg as. Slavery and prejudice. We must act to ensure that Law Enforcement in every jurisdiction understands that ach human being is entitled to equal justice under law and to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And we must act to ensure that no longer will we see horrific images and videos of unarmed black men and women being killed by those who are sworn to uphold the law and keep the peace. The bill we are voting on today is long overdue. I congratulate the Congressional Black Caucus, ms. Bass, senator harris and senator booker. Is bill would ban chokeholds i knelt on the marble floor. My knee rejected that as something that i wanted to do. It was not only painful, but it was a long time, eight minutes and 45 seconds that was to restrain george floyd. He was restrained. It would also ban noknock warpts of the kind that led to the murder of Breonna Taylor in andhome that was mistakenly racial n funding on profiling as identified by the obama task force. This bill would facilitate under appropriate circumstances, the ability of victims to be compensated for their loss. A right without a remedy is no right at all. I want to thank chairwoman bass and the Congressional Black Caucus for introducing this bill and i thank chairman nadler for moving swiftly to mark up this legislation so we could have it on the floor today. I said swiftly. It has been centuries that the dark lot of slavery and dehumanization of some of our fellow americans has been a reality. Senator mcconnell has already said that the Republicanled Senate will not even consider this bill. Thats not surprising. There are 275 bills, all of whom have republican votes, sitting on senator mcconnells desk or maybe wastebasket. And not surprising that he wont consider this bill either any more that he considered justice garland by a president who had 11 months in his term, well see what the people say in a few short months. If we do not consider this bill, it will be a mistake and failure to honor the United States that we are all created equal and not be judged by the color of our skin, which happens too often. Too frequently, too regularly. Not by the color of our skin or the kept of our character and the caliber of our conduct. Senator mcconnell is ignoring the cries for justice from blacks and whites and americans of all different colors and all different religions. All who are distinguished by one facet or another, that they have in common that they are americans governed by a constitution and laws of our our country. Senator mcconnell would be ignoring the history and legacy of slavery and segregation that has led to these acts. Colleague mentioned montgomery, alabama and the number of museums. Brian stevenson has a museum and he said the first thing you do when you discriminate against people is you dehumanize them. We have dehumanized people of color that from time to time and too often, they are not treated as human beings. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, vote for this bill. Vote for this bill even if you dont think its perfect. Vote for this bill to say we want justice for every american. Vote for this bill because you want to say you wantal remedy for wrong. Vote for this bill to restore justice. Vote for this bill to go protect liberty. Vote for this bill to promote tolerance. Vote for this bill to restore peace. To the families and victims and entire communities that live in fear. And vote for this bill to preserve our union as not only a union of states but a nation of free People United in our common pursuit of justice and opportunity for all. The peoples house needs to do its job for all the people. This is not an antipolice bill. It is a bill that cries out for whatever our discipline including members of congress, that we act consistent with the law, consistent with the constitution and consistent with our moral values. We will not leave these words to only be insubscribed in wood but enshined in our hearts and in our laws. Union, justice, tolerance, peace and liberty. Not for some, but for all. Those are neither democratic principles nor republican ones. These are american principles. These are in many ways unique principles honored by its country in its rhetoric. This bill is to honor those in its reality. That is why all who believe in these principles should vote for this bill. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from mr. Speaker, with all due respect, when the democratic majority in the house wont accept any of the republican amendments and the democratic minority in the senate wont accept the 20 amendments that enator scott offered it is disingenuous that senator mcconnell is the problem. And i yield three minutes to the gentleman from alabama. I rise today in opposition to this bill because it would result in more crime and fewer law willing to serve in enforcement. And this eliminates qualified immunity for Law Enforcement officers. So in the course of doing their job, an officer could go to prison for unintentionally breaking the law. Who wants to serve in a job that could be possibly charged as a criminal . Without qualification what happened to george floyd was horrific and those involved deserve full punishment sm it was a brutal and callous assault that undermined the trust of law nforcement we depend on. Notwithstanding, we cannot undermine the entire Law Enforcement community because of it. Every group has bad actors. Congress is not without examples of such. But we cant continue do paint all Law Enforcement officers as villains. Im thankful for the Law Enforcement officers. They take an oath to run toward danger. In fact, two officers, david and crystal did just that when they kept my come etionap me from being killed on the baseball field three years eeg. Im convinced some several of my colleagues and i would have been killed or wounded as was Steve Scalise were it not for the courage and dedication of the officers. They are heroes and i stand with them, not with these lawless vandals who are pressuring my colleagues across the aisle to if not eliminate our Police Departments, make them ineffective. Police officers put their lives on the line and far too many who lose their lives as they honor apply do their jobs. I will not support any effort to make their jobs more dangerous while leaving our communities to the lawless acts of violence we are witnessing today. In lard to the majority leader, mr. Hoyer, i appreciate he specifically referenced senator scotts bill in the senate. Wish that the speaker of this house of representatives, nancy pelosi, had made a similar to that l response bill. As i wish senator dick durbin made a respectful response to that bill. The majority leader called on us bork with our work with our colleagues across the aisle on this legislation. Been serious about that, here would have been a discussion before it was brought to the floor. As my dleague from north from as my colleague north dakota said, there will amendments accepted. Here arent on the senate either. Its disingenuous to say the republicans are not interested n pursuing justice through sensible Law Enforcement. I urge my colleagues to oppose back. Ill, and i yield the speaker pro tempore the entlelady from california is recognized. Mr. Speaker, may i inquire ow much time remains on each side . The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman has 38 minutes. Thank you. The ld one minute to gentlewoman from illinois, kelly. Ntative mrs. Kelly mr. Speaker, i ms. Kelly mr. Speaker, i rise in support of the George Floyd Justice in policing act. I am going to be frank. Have like this should passed years ago. We know that chokeholds are dangerous. He same with noknock warrants and nonviolent federal cases. His legislation would have prevented George Floyds death black death of so many people. N you may 16 shots in a coverup rokita boyd. A toy that was killed by gun because of a toy gun. Watching the life and oxygen drain from the life of george floyd, my colleagues on still defend the status quo. Some parts of this bill are not new. Ut we could never get them passed. I was part of speaker ryans ask force on Police Accountability 18 months meeting with the public and nothing came of it. Time. Not this ecause george floyd deserves better, Breonna Taylor, Laquan Mcdonald and oscar grant deserve justice. And this is from the niece of three cops, the cousin of one of two cops, but also the mother of a black son and a black daughter. More just have to say one thing. I get so sick of hearing chicago being bantered about. Years and for five could not get one gun violence prevention bill passed or signed on to by my colleagues on the other side. It wasnt until the democrats over that we could at least get background checks passed and loophole but, again, we cant get anything called in the senate. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from north dakota is recognized. Mr. Armstrong mr. Speaker, may how much time we have left . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 28 minutes left. Mr. Armstrong thank you. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlelady is recognized is. Mr. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from representative meeks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. 1953. i was born in brown v. Board of education had not been decided. Was not yetghts act law. And the Voting Rights act was away. Han a decade africanamericans could be bus, a room g on a in a hotel, entry in a school color of ause of the their skin. For my three daughters, such a still somewhat unimaginable to them. They could not fathom being restaurant orto a being legally barred from living n a neighborhood because the laws on the books said it was the right thing to do. These are the realities of my generation, for i recall getting ff a train and seeing colored and white. But it was not the realities for my daughters. About a world w where black men and women can be officer on police the flimsiest of prospects, and they understand the pain of unarmed black men and women shot, choked, and kneeled take their last breath. Also have a 1yearold granddaughter. She does not know about mass incarceration. Seen videos of black men being murdered by those that law. Upposed to protect the i do hope she learns about these incidents, like the murder of eorge floyd or eric garner or shawn bell, but in the same way my daughters learned about through books and movies and history and classes. Hope she views our current failings as unimaginable problem era a air a i from an far past. And lets not wait now. History is f rolling. Those in ls down on 53. Let it not roll down on us today. Act. S pass this this bill will not take us all the way to that destination, but a real step towards a just world. Lets pass this bill. The speaker pro tempore the north dakota. Mr. Armstrong i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady is recognized. Bass ms. Bass i yield to the entleman from michigan, mr. Levin. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Levin thank you, mr. Speaker. Thise in strong support of profound legislation, the George Floyd Justice in policing act, a long overdue step towards ending brutality of police in america. This liberate when i call a step. However important. To do to much more dismantle racist systems that country since ur before we were a country and indeed were part of our documents. L genocide of native americans, crow, mass incarceration, and many forms of injustice, ongoing as i speak. This month, mr. Speaker, i my hed with 6,000 of constituents in mccomb county crying out for major structural in what may have been the biggest antiracism rally that ever seen. If we pass this bill and pat back for having done something, we will have people. He instead, lets pass this bill today and continue to work to systemic racism tomorrow. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the yields back. The gentleman from north dakota is recognized. Mr. Armstrong i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield the gentlelady from michigan, representative lawrence. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mrs. Lawrence thank you. Today because i have heard the cries and the screams lives e street, black matter. As a black woman elected to the generations of my people calling on our and decades and decades to enact legislation to finally have a law on the books to stop Police Assaults on black lives. Sadly, as a country, we can no excuse of being blind of racism. We can no longer grews the of use the excuse of the arrogance of white privilege. Ur country, our people, the citizens of this country are calling on us to come together to join america and vote for this bill, the George Floyd Justice in policing act. Ur country, we pledge one nation under god, indwisible, libertyindivisible with and justice for all. Its time to act now. I yield back. Tempore the o gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from north dakota. Mr. Armstrong i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield minute to the gentlelady from the great state of barragan. , ms. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Barragan the time is now. Month, not after more studies, not after more deaths. Now. Our country demands it. As a congress have listened. Oday we must act for george floyd, Breonna Taylor, eric arner, and the countless others, we demand justice is, we demand change. In my very own district just week, a young latino kid, was shot ld, andres, in the back by police. There were no body cameras, video. Lance gone. And andres is gone. Ith six Police Bullets in his back. The public should not need to call for a thirdparty investigation into these deaths. To trust the ble system. More importantly, they should not need investigations because killings must stop. Today. George floyd he justice in policing act. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the back. Lady yields the gentleman from north dakota is recognized. Mr. Armstrong mr. Speaker, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from texas, representative doggett. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doggett i thank the gentlewoman for her tremendous leadership. Bill is an important top start not an end of what it must be done to stop racism in america. So much more must be local policeby the departments across the country. Bad is more than a few apples. Its a virus thats too often infected the ofrn arrested. No orchard. His is not a time for watereddown proposals but for real meaningful action. Black lives matter because for so long they have been the subject of violence and not. Dice though they did in austin, mike ramos was fleeing. Couldnt breathe. Both were unarmed, unthreatening and both are now dead. Technology has literally brought this violence into our recognize how any incidents have never been reported. Failure by some Law Enforcement personnel to protect black coreens threatens the very of our democracy. Hat we do today is not only about protecting those victims but it is also with respect and the many dedicated Police Officers who put their ives on the line daily for our security. What we need is to reach across to have protesters educating police about their concerns and officers listening that they want to be a part of the solution that we offer today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the yields back. The gentleman from north dakota is recognized. Mr. Armstrong thank you, mr. Speaker. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Bass mr. Speaker, i yield to the gentlewoman from ohio, representative beatty. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Beatty thank you, chairwoman bass. George disputable that floyd should be alive today. Is killing was the result of Police Violence that too many black americans have experienced. District. Black lives matter. Attend george o floyds funeral and proud to support this historic bill in his name. Breathe. Today, we breathe in honor of george floyd. This bill will honor his life nd in the words of his daughter, my daddy will change the world. I ask all of my colleagues to change the world by ending some of the most dangerous and practices of Law Enforcement in our nation. Toond this bill, we must get the root of Structural Racism that has plagued our country for centuries. As i have called out in my esolution, House Resolution 90, racism as a national crisis. We must move toward a truth and process. Ation today, my colleagues, we go from agony to action. And i ask his bill, you to join me. Thank you and i yield back. Mr. Armstrong we reserve. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to the gentleman from new york,. Epresentative espaillat