Larsen: George Floyd Justice In Policing Act is step toward ending police brutality, addressing systemic racism

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN (WA-02) |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Wednesday, March 3, 2020], Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for landmark legislation to increase police accountability, improve the culture of law enforcement, and build trust between law enforcement and local communities. The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2021 passed the House of Representatives by a final vote of 220 to 212.

“George Floyd should not have been murdered by a Minneapolis police officer,” said Larsen. “Breonna Taylor should not have been murdered in her home by Louisville police officers. Tamir Rice should not have been murdered by a Cleveland police officer. Yet these tragedies happened because, in the eyes of too many Americans, their lives did not matter.

“Black people in this country live with this fear daily – the fear that they or a loved one could be the next victim. Real justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice and countless others means ending police brutality and addressing the systemic issues that enable racism and inequity to persist.”

The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act:

• Establishes best practices and a national standard for the operation of police departments;
• Mandates data collection on police encounters;
• Invests in community-based policing programs; and
• Streamlines federal law to prosecute excessive force and establish independent prosecutors for police investigations

Larsen is a strong supporter of efforts to end police brutality and address systemic racism and inequity. Last year, he supported reforms included in the annual defense bill to limit the transfer of military weapons to state and local law enforcement. Larsen also supports H.R. 1, the For The People Act, which includes his bill to eliminate unnecessary, discriminatory voter ID barriers that disproportionately disenfranchise Black and Latinx citizens.

“In my conversations with local leaders and constituents, one message has been clear: Police conduct reform alone is not enough. I will continue to support legislation to address systemic racism and break the cycle of poverty that limits opportunity for my constituents and millions of Black Americans.”

For text of the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2021, click here.

For a summary of the bill, click here.