Larson Votes for Meaningful Police Reform

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Larson is a cosponsor of the legislation.

"The video ​of George Floyd's murder in broad daylight depicting his last moments of life as he pleaded that he couldn't breathe sickened and angered me. For too long, systemic racism has led to injustice and even death for Black Americans. As we grieve we know we must act, because we cannot let this stand. Today, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, we in the House of Representatives passed a bill with unprecedented and meaningful police reforms. This shouldn't be a partisan issue. This bill takes bold action to create actual change in the way policing occurs in this country.

"As my good friend, Vietnam veteran, and former Hartford Councilman Steve Harris said, ‘All lives matter, but right now Black Lives Matter! People of color are being killed on TV and on body cams. People of color are considered suspects all the time. These problems are not new. What's going on now is no different than when John Lewis marched in the 1960's. This is about race! All cops aren't bad, and all Black men aren't a threat. Police reform is needed, and it should be nationally led and driven…'

"Steve is both prescient and right.  I'm proud to have voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to take that first step forward and transform the culture of policing," said Larson.

The Justice in Policing Act would:

1) Ban racial and religious profiling;

2) Save lives by banning chokeholds & no-knock warrants;

3) De-militarize the police; 

4) Hold police accountable in court;

5) Investigate police misconduct;

6) Empower our communities to ​restructure public safety in an equitable and just way;

7) Change the culture of law enforcement with training to build integrity and trust;

8) Improve transparency by collecting data on police misconduct and use-of-force.