U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speak at a press conference after the Democrats’ weekly weekly political luncheon on the United States Capitol on March 23, June 2020 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong | fake pictures
Senate Democrats blocked the advance of a Republican police reform bill on Wednesday as they demand bipartisan talks on a plan to review law enforcement during a national protest against brutality and racism.
The legislation, led by Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, did not obtain the 60 votes necessary to advance the debate. Failed by a 55-45 margin. Because Democrats argued that the measure did not go far enough to eradicate flaws in police surveillance, Republicans argued that they should vote to move forward with it in order to formally propose amendments.
“If you don’t think we’re right, do better. Don’t walk,” Scott, one of the three black senators, said before the vote. “Vote on the motion to proceed so that we have a chance to confront this very real threat to the United States, which is civil, balanced.”
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, listens during a press conference at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA. USA, Wednesday June 17, 2020.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | fake pictures
Wednesday’s impasse leaves Congress no closer to passing any police reform legislation during the biggest public push for change in decades. During weeks of protests after police killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in Minneapolis last month, certain cities and states have taken initial steps to reform the apartments.
But divided Congress, although limited in the change it can bring at the local level, has not yet passed a bill to respond to the crisis.
Speaking earlier Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said “it is not realistic” to try to fix the problems in the Republican bill through amendments. He called for bipartisan talks to draft a police reform bill that would have to go through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“After this bill expires, there should be bipartisan discussions aiming to unite a constructive starting point for police reform … And I have no doubt that we could come up with a bill that is ready to speak. in a few weeks, “said the New York Democrat.
Democratic and Republican plans differ on several key fronts. The Democratic proposal would weaken “qualified immunity” protections for the police and facilitate prosecution of officers who commit abuse. The Republican bill would not.
Democratic legislation would ban the use of choke and search warrants at the federal level and would link state and local funding to the ban on the practices. The Republican bill would make certain exceptions to a choke ban, and would instead require further collection of data on the use of arrest warrants.
While Democrats argue that their bill takes more serious reform measures than the Republican Party’s proposal, their plan does not respond to calls by activists to cut police funds and redirect money to social services.
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