Democrats pass police reform bill named after George Floyd

Members of the congressional black caucus were present when a new police bill was passed by the Democrats on Thursday June 25th. The bill is called the George Floyd justice in policing act. The legislation will ban all neck restraints, including chokeholds by police. Aside from that, the bill also revises the federal statute that holds police officers personally liable in lawsuits. The new legislation would also stop military equipment from being sent to local law enforcement. Any data on the use of force by police would be sent to the federal government under the new requirements. For the first time, this would also make lynching a federal crime. 

It still needs to pass the senate, which some don’t have high hopes it will. Either way, the conversation is happening, which is one step in the right direction. Thousands and thousands of people have been protesting since George Floyd’s death last month demanding change with policing. 

“Exactly one month ago, George Floyd spoke his final words — ‘I can’t breathe’ — and changed the course of history,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said