On Senate Floor, Schumer Slams Republicans For Attempting Empty Rhetorical Stunts Instead Of Taking Real Action On Racial Justice

Sen. Cotton Also Blocked Schumer Attempt To Pass Resolution To Force Senate To Debate The Justice In Policing Act Of 2020 After House Passage

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today took to the Senate floor to blast  Senate Republicans for attempting empty rhetorical stunts instead of taking real, meaningful action to address systemic racial injustice in America. Sen. Schumer also attempted to force the Senate to debate the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, but Sen. Cotton blocked these efforts. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:

There are millions of people in America marching in the streets to reform our police practices, to ask for equality, to ask for racial justice. We have seen the savage death of George Floyd, we have seen with Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, and so many other instances that our police departments need real reform. There is a demand of Americans that we act and act soon.

The resolution my colleague [Senator Cotton] offers is rhetoric, not action. And the great worry so many Americans have is that so many on the other side will feel rhetoric and then try to let this go away.

We demand action, and we demand it now. Real action, not rhetoric. To reform our police departments in a fair and comprehensive way. That is what the Justice in Policing Act does. We need it on the floor now, as soon as the House passes it. Very few of us believe that Leader McConnell will put it on the floor, but we want him to. We demand he does.

Again, the resolution by my friend will do nothing, nothing. It's rhetoric. We demand action.

And so, I will be asking unanimous consent that the pending business upon receipt of H.R. 20, the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, the pending business here in the Senate, after it passes the House be that bill, so we're forced and required to debate it. At that point my friend from Arkansas or anyone else can do what they want, but not in an empty field of rhetoric and no action when Americans demand action. We need justice and racial equality. 

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