Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., is frustrated with Congress’ failure to help fix police accountability.
“It feels like open season on black men in America and I’m outraged. In fact, all Americans are at risk when bad actors in law enforcement use their guns instead of their heads,” Johnson, an African-American and member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said on the House floor Monday. “Despite bipartisan nationwide calls for action and despite my bills to reform the broken grand jury process, hold police accountable, and end militarization. And despite my colleagues’ bills to encourage body cameras, this Congress does nothing, no hearings, no blue ribbon commissions, no nothing.”
Johnson then read the names of black Americans who have been recently killed by police, including Walter Scott, who was fatally shot as he ran away from a South Carolina police officer last week during a traffic stop. The police officer involved has been charged with murder.
Johnson’s frustration dates back to last summer, when white officer Darren Wilson fatally shot unarmed black teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. Other cases of white officers shooting black citizens have since made national news and sparked a national debate on law enforcement.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee both held hearings on a federal program that provides military equipment to local law enforcement, though no notable changes have been made.
President Obama in January announced an executive order to reform the controversial program.
(H/T Breitbart)
