Congressional Republican U.S. police reform plans delayed
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[June 12, 2020]
By Susan Cornwell
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate's
only black Republican said on Thursday he plans to introduce the party's
police reform bill by the middle of next week - a delay from his
previous Friday target - as Republicans wrestle with their response to a
sweeping Democratic proposal in the wake of George Floyd's killing.
Senator Tim Scott, leading his party's effort in the Senate, said he was
meeting with Senate and House of Representatives Republicans to draw up
the measure, which follows nationwide protests over racial and police
brutality sparked by Floyd's death. Republicans control the Senate.
Democrats control the House.
"I think we're moving in the right direction," Scott said.
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Scott said he expects to make some additions to a draft written earlier
in the week that included provisions for more police training, more
funding for police body cameras and making lynching a federal hate
crime.
Kevin McCarthy, the House's top Republican, said his caucus also is
working on a proposal.
House Democrats, sharply critic of Republican President Donald Trump's
handling of the aftermath of Floyd's death, plan later this month to
hold a vote on their proposal, including making it easier for victims of
misconduct to sue police for damages.
Floyd's death in Minneapolis last month after a police officer knelt on
his neck for nearly nine minutes was the latest in a string of deaths of
black people at the hands of police that have sparked calls for reforms.
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![](../images/061220pics/news_u39.jpg)
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) holds his weekly news
conference with Capitol Hill reporters at the U.S. Capitol in
Washington, U.S., June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis
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Most Americans, including a majority of Republicans, support
sweeping reforms such as bans on chokeholds and racial profiling, a
Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Thursday showed.
McCarthy said there were elements in the Democratic proposal that
Republicans could work with them on, such as banning chokeholds. But
McCarthy emphasized Republican support for police.
"In America, no one should be judged by the color of their skin,"
McCarthy said, "and no one should be judged by the uniform they
wear."
(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Alistair Bell and Will
Dunham)
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