In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, thousands of Arizonans and millions across the country called for swift action and real, meaningful change. Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bold, comprehensive approach to improve accountability and transparency in policing, combat police brutality, end racial profiling and fundamentally change the culture of law enforcement. Rep. Greg Stanton, an original co-sponsor of the bill, spoke on the House floor ahead of the vote about the need for tangible reforms to combat structural racism.
“Today we vote on long overdue legislation—to bring greater accountability and transparency into policing to help make everyone more safe,” said Stanton. “The ability to end racism in our country is beyond the reach of Congress. We don’t 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 starts here, today.”
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act includes measures to reform and improve police training and practices including mandatory racial bias training, body camera requirements for federal, state and local officers, limitations on the transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local agencies, and a national use-of-force standard. It would also ban certain practices including “no-knock” warrants in drug cases, and chokeholds and carotid holds.
The bill would hold officers accountable for reckless misconduct in federal courts, including reforming qualified immunity, as well as improve transparency in policing by collecting better and more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force from state and local agencies.
Stanton’s full remarks as prepared are below:
Thank you for yielding.
I rise today in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Thank you 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 is taking 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 to help make everyone more safe.
The specific measures included in this bill—from banning choke holds and no-knock 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 don’t 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 starts here, today.
I yield back.
Video of Stanton’s floor remarks is available here.
Full text of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 is available here.
A fact sheet is available here.