Republicans are “trying to get away with murder,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is claiming regarding police reform legislation.
After being asked about if legislation will pass in Congress on police reform during a CBS Radio interview Tuesday, Pelosi called the Senate Republicans’ bill “unsalvageable” and suggested “it doesn’t take action” and “doesn’t make any difference.”
When asked if there could be some compromise, Pelosi responded, “We’re saying no chokeholds…They’re not saying no chokeholds. I mean, there’s a big difference there. What’s the compromise? Some chokeholds? I don’t see what the compromise is.”
The House speaker then added, “For something to happen, they’re going to have to face the realities of police brutality, the realities of the need for justice in policing, and the recognition that there’s many, many good people in law enforcement, but not all. And that we have to address those concerns.”
Pelosi then went on to make her claim that Republicans are “trying to get away with murder” of George Floyd — an unarmed black man who had his neck pinned on by a police officer’s knee and died in Minneapolis police custody roughly a month ago.
“So, when they admit that, and have some suggestions that are worthy of consideration — but so far they were trying to get away with murder, actually, the murder of George Floyd,” she said.
Listen to Pelosi’s remarks below:
Pelosi also noted that the House of Representatives hopes to pass the Democratic police reform legislation on Thursday.
The Senate is expected to vote on Wednesday on a Republican police reform bill, which is led by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), as IJR reported. However, there is expected to be a showdown as there needs to be 60 votes but Democrats have expressed opposition to it.
“It will never get 60 votes,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared Tuesday. “We need a bipartisan bill and a process to get there. That’s when we will move a bill.”