Schumer Floor Remarks On The Failure Of Justice For Breonna Taylor And The Need To Pass The Justice In Policing Act

Washington, D.C.— Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the Kentucky grand jury’s decision not to charge the three officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor and the failure of justice for her and countless others impacted by this tragedy. He also called for the passage of the Justice in Policing Act. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Yesterday, a grand jury in Kentucky declined to charge three officers in the shooting of Breonna Taylor. One was indicted on minor charges of “wanton endangerment”. The other two will face no charges at all. 

Today, I and millions and millions of Americans, grieve for the family of Breonna Taylor, knowing that justice will not be served in the murder of their daughter. The fact that an African American woman can have her life taken while she sleeps in her own bed—and those responsible are not held accountable—is a harrowing reminder that something is very, very broken in our system. Another reminder that we are in desperate need of comprehensive policing reform.

A few months ago, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Senate Democrats introduced the Justice in Policing Act. 

It would ban no-knock warrants in federal drug cases. It was the no-knock warrants that killed Breonna Taylor.

It would ban choke holds.  

And it would make it easier for Americans to hold police departments accountable when they violate their civil and constitutional rights. 

The House passed this important bill in June. Here in the Senate, Leader McConnell, typically, refused to take it up all. 

But we will not stop fighting until we finally bring that lasting change that our nation needs, change that protesters, civil rights organizations, and the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are still, tragically, waiting for.

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