With Rep. Cleaver's Support, House Democrats Pass Transformational George Floyd Justice In Policing Act

June 26, 2020
Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – Last night, The United States House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Democrats' bold, transformative legislation to reimagine the culture of policing in America with unprecedented reforms to curb police brutality, end racial profiling, eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement, and build greater trust between law enforcement and our local communities. United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) was a cosponsor and voted in favor of the legislation, which passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 236-181.

"The American people have made it unequivocally clear that the time has come for major, concrete reform to address the systemic racism that has plagued our nation's policing system for generations," said Congressman Cleaver. "Thanks to the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, this legislation delivers the transformational change Americans are seeking from Congress. It increases transparency, holds law enforcement accountable, and, ultimately, will save lives."

The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act will take numerous key steps to achieve the structural change needed to combat America's history of police brutality and racial injustice, including:

  • Banning all chokeholds;
  • Banning no-knock warrants in drug cases;
  • Ending racial, religious, and discriminatory profiling;
  • Eliminating the qualified immunity doctrine that has long been a barrier to holding police officers accountable for wrongful conduct;
  • Establishing a National Police Misconduct Registry to improve transparency and prevent problematic officers who are fired or leave one agency from moving to another jurisdiction without any accountability; • Requiring data collection, including mandatory body cameras and dashboard cameras;
  • Establishing new standards for policing and the Public Safety Innovation grants for community-based organizations to help reimagine policing in their communities.

"Our nation was founded on the fundamental promise of equal justice under the law, and, for far too long, we have failed to live up to that promise. I am proud to support this legislation, which will take the necessary steps to protect the persecuted and reestablish trust between law enforcement and our local communities," Congressman Cleaver continued. "Now is not the time for congressional timidity. Now is the time for congressional action. Should the Administration and U.S. Senate fail to listen to the American people's call for action, I have little doubt the people will take action themselves come November."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.