U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) announced on Thursday that they would be co-sponsors of U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s (R-SC) police reform bill.
Officially titled the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, it was introduced by Scott on Wednesday in an effort to bring about police reforms in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody.
“The murder of George Floyd and its aftermath made clear from sea to shining sea that action must be taken to rebuild lost trust between communities of color and law enforcement,” said Scott in a statement accompanying the introduction of the bill.
“The JUSTICE Act takes smart, commonsense steps to address these issues, from ending the use of chokeholds and increasing the use of body worn cameras, to providing more resources for police departments to better train officers and make stronger hiring decisions,” Scott added.
Scott’s bill in the Senate comes as House Democrats advanced through committee a larger overhaul of federal policing laws on Wednesday afternoon.
The House bill was authored in its entirety by Democratic House leadership, a decision that drew Byrne’s ire.
“I am disappointed that the Democrat majority in the House of Representatives made no effort to include Republicans in drafting their bill to address law enforcement reform,” commented Byrne in a statement.
The congressman from Fairhope believes that the only way Congress can pass a criminal justice reform bill is through “a truly bipartisan effort.”
Senator Shelby praised his colleague from South Carolina’s bill, and highlighted that it “focuses on police reform, accountability, and transparency.”
Shelby believes the bill will help the United States get to a place where “all Americans feel safe and protected in their communities.”
In addition to Shelby, the bill has several prominent co-sponsors in the Senate, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
The bill’s fate seems destined for conflict in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, where leadership is pushing a competing legislative effort.
A rundown of each major part of the JUSTICE Act is available here.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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