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Schrier Statement on House Passage of Justice in Policing Act

June 25, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) released the following statement after voting for the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act":

"These past several weeks have provoked a range of emotions, from heartbreak and anger, to frustration and shock. The abhorrent murders of George Floyd, Manuel Ellis, and Breonna Taylor by police officers are three of too many instances of ongoing unequal justice.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act addresses excessive use of force and the targeting of Black people by law enforcement. This bill makes long overdue reforms to increase transparency and accountability, end racial profiling, and change the culture of law enforcement. It requires additional training to ensure that officers use deadly force only as a last resort, limits the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement, and creates a nationwide police misconduct registry.

This is the beginning. Much more change is needed to dismantle systems in the United States that unfairly target Black people and people of color. We must seriously address inequities in income, housing, education, preschool access, healthcare, and more.

I will continue to do my part to make our nation more just for all Americans. We have a lot of work to do."