[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S3132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE JUSTICE ACT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on a totally different matter, last 
week, Senator Scott of South Carolina and a group of our colleagues 
rolled out the JUSTICE Act--a serious set of proposals to move the ball 
for police reform across the country.
  This legislation identifies a number of smart levers that Congress 
can pull to advance and encourage smart reforms of law enforcement 
without steamrolling States' and localities' constitutional powers.
  It would step up transparency in reporting and recordkeeping. It 
would expand accountability and disciplinary measures needed to 
establish and restore community trust. It would directly address 
issues, such as choke holds and no-knock warrants, which have been in 
the news lately for reasons that nobody believes are acceptable.
  These are the subjects that the country needs us to address. 
Accordingly, these are the subjects Senator Scott's proposal does 
address.
  The American people expect us to do our jobs, discuss, debate, and 
legislate on this subject that has captured the Nation's attention--
discussion, debate, and votes on amendments.
  Tomorrow, we will find out whether even these modest steps are a 
bridge too far for our colleagues on the Democratic side.
  Earlier this month, Senate Democrats were telling everyone who would 
listen that we would be derelict in our duty if we did not have police 
reform legislation on the floor of the Senate this month. But then, as 
soon as the junior Senator from South Carolina actually published 
something concrete, their tune changed rather sharply.
  Now, suddenly, our Democratic colleagues are reportedly agonizing and 
debating whether to let the Senate have this discussion at all or 
whether to kill any chance of reform legislation before it can even 
taxi onto the runway.
  The American people deserve better than a partisan stalemate. The 
American people deserve for the Senate to take up this issue at this 
time.
  Senate Republicans want to have this discussion. We are ready to make 
a law, not just make a point.
  Tomorrow, we will find out whether our Democratic colleagues share 
our ambition or whether they choose to duck the issue and leave the 
country in the lurch.

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