WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer called the verdict in the murder trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin "an official proclamation of what so many many of us have known for nearly a year."
"Our country was forever changed by the horrendous video of Derek Chauvin killing Mr. (George) Floyd in cold blood," Schumer said Tuesday in a statement. "We should not mistake a guilty verdict in this case as evidence that the persistent problem of police misconduct has been solved or that the divide between law enforcement and so many of the communities they serve has been bridged. We must remain diligent in our efforts to bring meaningful change to police departments across the country."
Schumer, D-N.Y., promised the Senate would continue that work, although he did not specifically say the chamber would pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — the Democrats' police reform bill introduced last summer after Floyd's death.
Outside the U.S. Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and members of the Congressional Black Caucus hailed the verdict, which found Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges for the death of Floyd, a black man in May 2020. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who called Floyd's family following the verdict, are expected to make remarks later Tuesday.
Chauvin, who is white, was caught on video kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying on the ground. In a gut-wrenching moment played over and over again, including at the trial, Floyd said, "I can't breathe," before he died.
The guilty verdict was praised by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress on Tuesday. It promises to reanimate a thorny debate on changing federal policing laws. Both Democrats and Republicans introduced reform bills last summer, but negotiations have not yet produced a bipartisan agreement.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who is leading negotiations for Senate Republicans said Tuesday: "I think we're in a position now to move it forward and I think I am cautiously optimistic that we’ll find a path forward.”
Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus gathered together around a small laptop in the U.S. Capitol to listen to the verdict together, some sighing in relief and exclaiming "yes" as the news came down.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said the verdict brings "some small measure of justice" to Floyd's family.
"We must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and fight to dismantle the systemic racism that led to the deaths of too many Black Americans," she added.
Backed by some civil rights groups, the Justice in Policing Act would require police to report "use of force" data, increase body-camera usage, block departments from receiving some military equipment, and place negligent officers on a national registry. It bans chokeholds — which most departments already prohibit — and no-knock warrants. The bill would change the federal standard for prosecuting police misconduct from “willfulness” to “recklessness,” eliminating the need to prove intent.
A change opposed by Republicans, the bill would limit "qualified immunity," which gives police officers legal protection for actions performed on the job. The change could open cities and police departments to liability in lawsuits when police officers violate individuals’ constitutional rights.
Republican Liz Joy, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, for his seat in Congress said she's confident the justice system worked with the Tuesday verdict and she's praying for peace.
She also condemned Democrats for not sanctioning Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., for her comments before the trial. Waters said over the weekend protesters in Minnesota should "get more confrontational" if Chauvin was acquitted. House Democrats voted to block a motion brought by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to censure Waters on Tuesday.
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