House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Republicans of trying to “get away with murder” regarding disagreements about policing reforms.
Pelosi called Senate Republican’s legislation on policing “unsalvageable” during a Tuesday interview with CBS News Radio. She said that the GOP bill, which has been championed by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, does not go far enough to restrict the use of force by police officers.
“We’re saying, ‘No chokeholds.’ They’re saying, ‘Maybe.’ … They’re not saying, ‘No chokeholds.’ I mean, there’s a big difference here. What’s to compromise? Some chokeholds? I don’t see what the compromise is. We’re saying, you know, no racial profiling. … So the point, Steve, is the following: They understand that there’s a need to get something done,” Pelosi said.
“The press has given them so much play for this bare-leaves, unsalvageable piece of legislation. … For something to happen, they’re going to have to face the reality of police brutality, the reality of the need for justice in policing, and the recognition that there are many, many good people in law enforcement — but not all — and that we have to address those concerns. So when they admit that and have some suggestions that are worthy of consideration — but so far, they were trying to get away with murder, actually. The murder of George Floyd,” she added.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest. The officer involved in his death has been widely condemned by Republicans, leaving many outraged by Pelosi’s remarks. The Senate Republicans demanded an apology from Pelosi to Scott.
“Speaker Pelosi owes Senator Scott an apology for these disgusting comments,” the Senate Republican communications team tweeted.
Speaker Pelosi owes Senator Scott an apology for these disgusting comments: https://t.co/ka3q5AtQp8
— Senate Republican Communications Center (@SRCC) June 23, 2020
Scott’s bill has been widely criticized by Democrats in Congress, including by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who apologized after calling part of Scott’s legislation a “token.” Scott said Tuesday that he has been targeted by death threats and racial slurs since becoming the face of the Republican bill.
Senate Democrats are expected to block the GOP police reform bill Wednesday.
