A small group of lawmakers issued a statement declaring “an agreement on a framework” for police reform, meeting a self-imposed deadline to accomplish something before the Senate adjourned for two weeks.
But the agreement announced Thursday by Rep. Karen Bass, a California Democrat; Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat; and Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, appears far from final or detailed enough to address whether the kind of comprehensive police reform many lawmakers want will ever pass Congress.
BIPARTISAN GROUP IN CONGRESS REACH ‘FRAMEWORK’ AGREEMENT ON POLICE REFORM
“There is still more work to be done on the final bill, and nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to,” the group said in a joint statement. “Over the next few weeks we look forward to continuing our work toward getting a finalized proposal across the finish line.”
Negotiators said the framework addresses “the major issues” in a police reform bill. The announcement came a day before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, a black man who was asphyxiated in his custody after Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes.
While lawmakers hoped to produce a deal by the anniversary of Floyd’s death, they have been gridlocked on a provision that would alter legal protections for police officers.
Democrats sought to eliminate qualified immunity that officers now enjoy, but Republicans opposed the move, arguing it would undermine the police and hobble their ability to protect the public.
The two parties were negotiating a compromise that would protect individual officers from lawsuits but not police departments, which could be sued over individual officers’ misconduct.
Scott said last week the two parties were working on finalizing the qualified immunity language “to make sure we’re all saying the exact same thing.”
Both parties have authored their own police reform measures in the wake of a string of police killings involving minorities.
Republicans and Democrats generally agree on banning the use of chokeholds and “no-knock” warrants for drug offenses, as well as additional training and accountability measures, such as body-worn cameras and new reporting requirements for law enforcement.
The negotiating team did not indicate how or if they have resolved qualified immunity.
Republicans were critical of a proposal made by Booker that would maintain qualified immunity for officers but leave departments and municipalities open to lawsuits. It would add four new offenses that could lead to the prosecution of officers.
The proposal drew criticism from some Republicans and law enforcement groups.
“We are actively opposing the proposal and encouraging negotiators to reject this proposal as it is untenable,” the National Association of Police Organizations said in a statement earlier this month.
As lawmakers negotiate a bill, the two parties are at odds over the future of policing.
Some of the most liberal Democrats say police funding should be cut and diverted to mental health programs or other forms of public safety.
Republicans point out that hundreds of police departments have experienced funding cuts in cities across America as crime rates rise in many places.
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Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and the top GOP lawmaker on the Judiciary Committee, has been closely involved in the talks to produce a police reform bill and says the two parties are determined to reach a final deal.
“I think everybody wants to get to yes,” Graham said. “There’s a general framework that we all sort of conceptually agree to. Can it withstand drafting? Can it withstand special interest pressure? Time will tell.”
