Bonamici Helps Pass George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

WASHINGTON, DC [06/25/2020] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined her House colleagues to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, comprehensive legislation to transform police practices and end racial injustices by law enforcement.

Bonamici called out acts of violence committed by law enforcement against Black individuals and advocated for the legislation on the House floor before the vote. Video of her remarks can be viewed here.

"Black lives matter. Black people in this country have been fighting for centuries for freedom, equality, and justice under the law," Bonamici said on the House floor. "The senseless death of George Floyd is the latest tragic example of how too often the Black community is targeted rather than supported by law enforcement.

"In Oregon and around the country, people from all backgrounds are demanding change, and the bill before us today answers their call. It bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, overturns the existing qualified immunity doctrine, creates a public National Police Misconduct Registry, and increases accountability and oversight of federal, state, and local law enforcement. The bill cannot bring back George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or the countless others who have been killed or mistreated by the very individuals who swore an oath to protect them. But we can honor their memory by passing this legislation to prevent these abuses going forward."

The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 would:

• Make it easier to hold law enforcement officers responsible for police misconduct by changing the intent requirement from "willfulness" to "recklessness"
• Eliminate qualified immunity so individuals can recover damages in court when police violate their constitutional rights
• Improve existing pattern and practice investigations by the DOJ, and incentivize state Attorneys General to conduct investigations
• Incentivize states to create independent investigative structures for police-involved deaths
• Create best practice recommendations based on President Obama's 21^st Century Policing Task Force
• Create a National Police Misconduct Registry to improve accountability
• Require state and local law enforcement agencies report use of force data disaggregated by race, sex, disability, religion, and age
• End racial and religious profiling and mandate training on racial bias
• Ban no-knock warrants in drug cases
• Ban chokeholds and carotid holds
• Limit use of force to only when necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury
• Limit transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local law enforcement
• Require federal, state, and local law enforcement to use body cameras

Bonamici hasrepeatedly spoken out about theunjust killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Black Americans, and other people of color. Shejoined the Beaverton Black Parent Union for a Black Family Unity Walk and students at Sunset High School for amarch for Black lives. She was also an early co-sponsor of theHouse resolution to condemn police brutality, racial profiling, and the excessive use of force against Black Americans.

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