[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3052-S3053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Justice Act

  Last week, my friend and colleague Senator Tim Scott from South 
Carolina announced that he was leading a working group with the goal of 
drafting a comprehensive police reform bill.

[[Page S3053]]

You all know what happened next. He spoke about it just a few hours 
ago, but I think it is important to get on the record just one more 
time today that he deserves our thanks, and he deserves credit.
  Before Senator Scott had a chance to write a single word of his bill, 
some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle were ready to 
shut it down. It was stunning. Let me read you a few of these 
statements.
  Someone said they suspect it ``is going to be window dressing.'' 
Another said: ``It's so far from being relevant to really the crisis at 
hand.'' Another: ``This is not a time for lowest common denominator, 
watered down reforms.'' And then there was another unfortunate comment 
for which an apology was offered late today, and that apology was 
accepted. All of this is disappointing. It is hurtful, yes, but 
disappointing because this is a time when we have to carry on. We have 
to move forward.
  Senator Scott announced the introduction of the JUSTICE Act. I am 
honored to be a cosponsor of that legislation, and I think it is 
imperative that we move forward with our discussions and our 
deliberations just as we would with any other bill. This Chamber is 
going to find a way to move forward with suggestions, but, above all, I 
urge my colleagues to consider some of the words that have been said. I 
urge them to take those words to heart, and I urge them to remember 
what we are fighting for and to stop focusing so hard on whom you have 
convinced yourself that you should be fighting against.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered