Attorney Ben Crump and Rep. Steven Horsford continue to push for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

“[Republicans] continue to say this is not a crucial issue, but they're not having their children shot in the face,” Crump told The Kicker

U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Attorney Ben Crump continue to call on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021.

In May, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) re-introduced the bill. Since her passing Horsford stated that it will be at the top of the Congressional Black Caucus’ agenda to have it enacted into law.

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told The Kicker the act is “something that I have supported since the moment it was first introduced and I hope that we can find a way to have a bipartisan conversation about strengthening the relationship between the police and the community for the good of everyone.”

Jeffries added, that Republicans will be the deciding factor on whether this statute is passed in both the House and the Senate.

“Republicans have not shown any interest in trying to strengthen the relationship in a meaningful way between the police and the community,” said Jeffries.

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) told The Kicker that he hopes this bill does not end up like the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.

“I’m worried that it’ll be one of those bills that will be reintroduced for 30 years in a row and never move, kind of like H.R. 40 reparations,” said Bowman. “When I talk about anti-Blackness in this place that’s kind of the thing I mean. This is a bill that would move the country forward, hold police accountable, protect those who are doing the job the right way.”

The bill, which was first introduced in 2021 following the tragic death of George Floyd, aims to eliminate no-knock warrants, increase police accountability, restrict certain policing practices and enhance transparency. However, in the last three years the legislation has failed to receive bipartisan support and several Republican congressional members including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told The Kicker they refuse to back it.

“I’m not for federal policing, I think policing is best done at the state and local level,” said Gaetz. “I do have a problem with some of these no-knock warrants and I share the view of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that there is equity, a life interest there to be vindicated. Not every provision of this bill is bad, but I would not vote for it.”

Crump told The Kicker that some Republicans do not see police reform as a “crucial issue” because “they’re not having their children shot in the face.”

“We got to keep pushing,” said Crump.

At this time, it is unclear when Horsford plans to bring the act to the floor for a vote.

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