House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says she cannot imagine that a congressional police reform bill would not include a ban on chokeholds.
During an interview on CNN on Monday evening, Pelosi was asked whether she could support a reform bill that did not include a ban on chokeholds.
She responded, “Well, I think that … I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t have a ban on chokeholds.”
“Let’s get reasonable. Chokehold is a lynching. It’s a strangulation. It is a lynching. I think that that is almost like the lowest common denominator,” she added.
However, she said she will “leave it up to my negotiators.”
Watch the video below:
“I can’t imagine they wouldn’t have a ban on chokeholds. Let’s get reasonable. Chokehold is a lynching. It’s a strangulation… I think that, that is almost like the lowest common denominator,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says about the House Republican police reform bill. pic.twitter.com/BtC9TBUpSN
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) June 15, 2020
Pelosi’s comments come as lawmakers negotiate legislation aimed at reforming policing.
A bill crafted by House Democrats includes a national ban on chokeholds, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said he supports that provision.
Some Republicans have voiced skepticism of the provision, however, President Donald Trump said he could support a ban, “I don’t like chokeholds.”
He continued, “I think the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent and so perfect. If it’s two on one, that’s a bit of a different story, depending.”
“I think it would be a very good thing, generally speaking, it should be ended,” he said.
On Monday, Trump said he would sign an executive order on police reform that would establish a database to track officers who have a history of misconduct and create incentives for police departments to meet higher standards for use of force.
It would also encourage departments to involve social workers and mental health professionals in calls that deal with addiction, homelessness, and mental illness.
Before Trump unveiled his executive order, it was expected that he would call on Congress to pass a more comprehensive reform bill.
On Tuesday during his remarks in the Rose Garden, Trump said, “Choke holds will be banned unless an officer’s life is at risk.”