HOUSTON – The Democratic nominee for the U.S. House seat left vacant by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has vowed to push forward the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act if elected this November.
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Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner secured the nomination following Jackson Lee’s passing and has pledged to continue her efforts in police reform.
Jackson Lee was a major supporter of the bill, named after George Floyd, a Houston native whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police in May 2020 sparked widespread protests against police brutality.
During a meeting with Harris County Democratic precinct chairs before his nomination, Turner said, “I want to run with it,” announcing his commitment to the proposed legislation.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, named in honor of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis in May 2020, is a sweeping police reform bill aimed at addressing systemic issues within law enforcement in the United States. The bill was introduced by Democratic lawmakers and seeks to implement significant changes to police practices and accountability.
Key components of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act include the banning of chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases, the creation of a national registry to track police misconduct, and the imposition of new limits on qualified immunity, which currently protects officers from civil lawsuits.
Additionally, the act mandates comprehensive data collection on police encounters, strengthens the Department of Justice’s ability to investigate and prosecute police misconduct, and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt bias training and other measures to prevent discriminatory policing.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 3, 2021, largely along party lines, with most Democrats voting in favor and Republicans opposing it. Proponents argue that the legislation is necessary to address racial bias and excessive use of force in policing, while opponents contend that certain provisions, such as reducing qualified immunity, could make it difficult for officers to perform their duties effectively.
Despite its passage in the House, the bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where it requires bipartisan support to advance.
Negotiations between lawmakers continue as they seek a compromise that can garner the necessary votes for the bill to become law.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act represents an effort to reform police practices in the wake of national protests against police brutality and racial injustice, sparked by George Floyd’s death.
As of now, Turner has not specified if he will personally sponsor the bill, possibly deferring to more senior members to lead the effort.
KPRC 2 reached out to Turner’s campaign representatives for further comment. We are awaiting a response.