President Joe Biden said Thursday he hoped the death of Tyre Nichols prompts action on Capitol Hill to advance police reform as he met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus at the White House.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted members of the group in the Oval Office as they attempted to revive an effort on Capitol Hill to pass police reform legislation. The meeting came a day after Harris attended the funeral of Nichols, who was fatally beaten by police in Memphis, Tenn., in January.
Speaking to reporters before the closed-door meeting, Biden said he hoped what happened to Nichols “inspires some of the action we’ve all been fighting for.”
“I heard Al Sharpton’s eulogy, which I thought was first rate,” Biden said of Nichols’ funeral, “and we’ve got to be in it for as long as it takes.”
Participants include Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., caucus chair, Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., as well as Reps. James Clyburn, D-SC, Sheila. Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and Joe Neguse, D-Colo., said the White House.
Biden praised Democrats for passing a police reform bill in 2021 when they control the House, and praised senators like Booker who fought hard for legislation in the upper chamber.
Horsford told Biden, “Tyre Nichols’ death is another example of why we need action.” “But you have already led the action that we have been able to take through executive order. We need your help to ensure that we can achieve legislative actions that will save lives and protect public health. It is necessary to prioritize safety.” Must have for all communities. ,
Horsford and his CBC aides spoke to reporters outside the White House and indicated he had a productive meeting with Biden and Harris, with Horsford saying a legislative package to address the culture of policing and public safety “we Everyone needs it – including Republicans.”
Horsford said, “We addressed a number of important issues in the path forward. That path will take us all to completion as we know it could be Tyre Nicholls tomorrow, but sadly these events Can happen to anyone in any community.” ,
Warnock said, “I think I speak for a lot of Americans when I say that we are tired and that humans have turned into a hashtag. This has to stop. Every parent who wants their young adult child to drive I don’t need to worry that they’re going to come back home safely.”
Earlier this week, Horsford requested a meeting with Biden “to push for dialogue on essential national reforms to our justice system — specifically, the actions and conduct of our law enforcement.”
“No one in our country should be afraid to interact with police officers, who serve our diverse communities, large and small. We all want to be safe,” Horsford said in a statement Sunday. “Many black and brown people, however, and many young people in general, are afraid to interact with law enforcement officers.”
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton said, “Biden is committed to doing everything in his power to adjust, to ensure that our criminal justice system continues to deliver fair and impartial justice, equal treatment and justice for all.” Upheld on the promise of honor.” reporters this week.
Last week, Biden spoke by phone with Nichols’ mother and stepfather, Rovvon Wells and Rodney Wells. The White House said it offered its condolences and commended the family’s courage and strength.
He also said that he was “outraged and deeply pained” in response to the video of the brutal beating. In a statement shortly after the video was released, he called the images “appalling”.
“It’s another painful reminder of the deep fear and trauma, pain and exhaustion that black and brown Americans experience every day,” Biden said.
Efforts to restart conversation in Congress about police reform are already headed for an impasse.
Some senators have tried to renegotiate talks in the wake of Nichols’ death, but some doubt they will reach an agreement that can pass in the newly divided Congress.
It is the second time in three years that lawmakers have sought legislation for new rules about police practices. The previous attempt came after the killing of George Floyd.
Dick Durbin, D-Ill., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. said Monday that he had begun discussions with Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the top Republican on the committee, about one of the key points of bipartisan police reform talks that failed two years ago. : Qualified immunity for officers.
However, ahead of Thursday’s White House meeting, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who has been a leading Republican negotiator for police reform, posted a series of tweets calling for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to be resurrected. The discussion about doing is “a non-starter”. ,
Even if a bill passes the Senate, the new GOP-controlled House is unlikely to consider any resolution on the issue.
In March 2021, the Democratic-led House voted 220-212 to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The only Republican who voted for it, Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas, said he did so by mistake and opposes the bill. The vote led to months of negotiations — featuring Scott, Booker and Karen Bass, then a Democratic House member — for craft legislation that could pass the House and get 60 votes to break a filibuster in the Senate. .
The two sides were closing in on a deal on certain provisions, such as limits on chokeholds and “no knock” warrants, providing mental health resources for officers and preserving records of misconduct. But talks stalled over some irreconcilable differences, including rolling back qualified immunity for police officers — a preference of civil rights advocates that Republicans strongly oppose.