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Police departments

Opponents of JUSTICE Act Urge Senators to Vote 'No' on Motion to Proceed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Senate is facing opposition from various civil and human rights groups, attorneys representing families of individuals killed by police, and members of Congress, who are urging Senators to vote 'no' on the motion to proceed with the JUSTICE Act. The act, a bill proposed by Senate Republicans, has been criticized for its insufficient policing legislation and failure to address the current policing crisis.

The Congressional Black Caucus, along with several leading civil and human rights groups and attorneys, have released statements opposing the bill, stating that it will do nothing to make much-needed changes to the country's police departments. They argue that the bill falls woefully short of the comprehensive reform needed to address the current policing crisis and achieve meaningful law enforcement accountability.

Key Takeaways:

  • 138 civil rights groups, including The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, have expressed strong opposition to the JUSTICE Act.
  • The act has been criticized for its incremental approach, offering more funding to police but few policies to effectively address the constant loss of Black lives at the hands of police.
  • The Congressional Black Caucus has called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to engage in bipartisan discussions on policing reform and to work with members from both sides of the aisle to come up with legislation that will finally address unwarranted brutality against Black Americans.
  • The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, championed by the Congressional Black Caucus, has received broad support among Members of Congress, major civil rights organizations, celebrities, and the private sector.
  • The act includes provisions to end qualified immunity, create a national police misconduct registry, and establish national use of force standards.
  • The JUSTICE Act has been criticized for its failure to address systemic racism and lax policies that fail to hold police accountable for misconduct.

Statistics:

  • 138 civil rights groups have expressed opposition to the JUSTICE Act.
  • 2 million members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have urged Senators to oppose the JUSTICE Act.
  • The JUSTICE Act has been criticized for its failure to address systemic racism and lax policies that fail to hold police accountable for misconduct.
  • The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has received broad support among Members of Congress, major civil rights organizations, celebrities, and the private sector.

Sources:

  • [Press Release, 6/23/2020] "Statements opposing the JUSTICE Act"
  • Letter from 138 Civil Rights Groups [Letter to Senators, 6/23/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund [Letter to Senators McConnell and Schumer, 6/22/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • Reverend Al Sharpton, National Action Network [Press Release, 6/22/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • Attorney Benjamin Crump [Press Release, 6/22/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights [Letter to Senators, 6/19/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • National Urban League President Marc Morial [Letter to Senators, 6/22/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • The Human Rights Campaign [Statement, 6/23/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • Service Employees International Union [Letter to Senators, 6/24/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • People For The American Way [Press Release, 6/23/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"
  • Center for American Progress Action Fund [Letter to Senators, 6/23/20] "Opposition to the JUSTICE Act"

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