The Senate Judiciary Committee will look into police use of force following the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd who died in police custody on Monday.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who chairs the committee, announced a hearing on the matter Friday. The hearing will address ways to combat racial discrimination regarding use of force and building stronger bonds between communities and law enforcement.
The South Carolina Republican said he and ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, both agreed to hold the hearing after witnessing the events of this week.
“Both of us are appalled at what we saw and believe it is important to have a hearing as soon as possible as to how to combat this outrage,” Graham said in a statement.
Floyd, a black man, died after white police officer Derek Chauvin restrained him for nearly nine minutes by kneeling on his neck until he was unconscious and ultimately died.
Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on Friday. Three other officers involved with the detainment of Floyd have been fired but not yet charged.
The committee will call on a wide variety of witnesses who can speak to these topics and “shine a bright light” on the problems associated with Floyd’s death.
