Tonko Votes to Advance Justice in Policing ActReform bill first of its kind to combat police brutality and systemic racism in law enforcement
Washington,
June 25, 2020
WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted today with the House to adopt H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. Led by Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-CA), Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the legislation would, among other things, ban police chokeholds, limit the transfer of weapons of war to local departments, build trust between police and the communities they serve, end dangerous no-knock warrant use for drug cases, and increase transparency and accountability by establishing a national registry to track officers with a history of misconduct and restricting “qualified immunity” that prevents police officers from being sued for such misconduct. “Today we stand in the gaze of history at a moment that is years, decades and centuries in the making. For too long, our nation has ignored the unimaginable suffering, violence and brutality inflicted upon Black Americans,” Congressman Tonko said. “This cruel and unjust reality that our friends and neighbors are forced to bear was dragged into the light by the murder of George Floyd. His death shocked the conscience of our nation, and since that horrific moment, Americans from every corner of our nation have risen up, raised their voices and united in a nationwide call for justice. The voices of the people have brought us to this crossroads and the House has answered their call. Our Justice in Policing Act, legislation that—for the first time—takes major steps to confront the systemic racism that has long corrupted our most fundamental institutions, including the systems we use to enforce our laws. This critical legislation is long overdue, and while one new law cannot heal the wounds of four hundred years of violence and injustice, it is a vital step toward creating a better nation that truly upholds the deeply American principles of liberty and justice for all.”
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020: Works to End Racial & Religious Profiling
Saves Lives by Banning Chokeholds & No-Knock Warrants
Limits Military Equipment on American Streets & Requires Body Cameras
Holds Police Accountable in Court
Changes the Culture of Law Enforcement with Training to Build Integrity and Trust
Improves Transparency by Collecting Data on Police Misconduct and Use-of-Force
Stops Sexual Assault in Law Enforcement Custody
This legislation has garnered support from dozens of organizations, including Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Demand Progress, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, League of Women Voters, YWCA USA, America Forward, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, Center for American Progress, and Music Artists’ Coalition (MAC). ### |