The JUSTICE Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I hope today's events in the Senate will not soon be forgotten by the American people. Over the last few months, it is an understatement to say that our country has experienced unprecedented physical, financial, and social turbulence. From the pandemic, to the economic challenges that came on its heels, to the widespread protests against racial injustice--the needs of our country should have transcended politics. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case today.

We had been on a pretty good run, Republicans and Democrats, and put aside our differences to pass bold and transformative legislation to support our Nation's fight against COVID-19, as well as ease the ensuing financial fallout. I had hoped that trend would continue as we work together to address the injustices that still persist in our society, beginning with police reforms.

As we all know by now, thanks to our friend Senator Tim Scott and others who worked with him, we introduced the JUSTICE Act to enact real and lasting reform so we can begin to restore the broken trust between minority communities and our law enforcement agencies. This package of bills addresses some of the most pressing changes that Americans have been calling for--ending choke holds, better training for our police officers, accountability for body cameras, more diverse police forces, and the list goes on and on.

We know it wasn't the only bill that has been introduced in this Senate. Our Democratic colleagues introduced a bill of their own, which would address many of the same issues. While there are some important differences between the two, what to me is more important is that there was a lot in common, a lot of overlap between those two bills. That should have, in a normal time, when people were logical and reasonable, put us on a strong footing to begin debating the ultimate product, which is what our Democratic colleagues actually asked us to do.

A couple of weeks ago, the Democratic leader came to the floor and urged the majority leader to bring a police reform bill to the floor to be debated and voted on before July Fourth. When Senator McConnell did exactly that, what did they do? As soon as they were told they would actually have a chance to vote on a police reform bill, they changed their tune--a 180-degree change.

It kind of reminds me a little bit of last year's debacle over the Green New Deal. After this resolution was introduced, a number of Senate Democrats rushed to endorse it, but when given the opportunity to vote on the resolution they were praising, what happened? Not a single one of those individuals on the other side of the aisle voted for it--not one. What kind of games are they playing here? Senator Markey, who introduced that resolution in the Senate, even accused the majority leader, who scheduled a vote on a bill he was the lead sponsor for--he called it sabotage

History seems to be repeating itself and not--not--in a good way. Our friends across the aisle, who have been asking to debate and vote on a police reform bill, this morning had that opportunity, but once again, they pulled a 180.

Let me be clear on what we were voting on this morning. This was not a vote to finally pass the JUSTICE Act as is, without any changes or amendments; this was simply a vote to begin debating the bill. You can't finish a bill, you can't actually vote on legislation if you are unwilling to start. And that is exactly what happened this morning.

Knowing that Republicans and Democrats did have some differences, even though there is a lot in common, Leader McConnell provided for the opportunity to have that debate right here on the Senate floor. We could have had that debate in front of the American people. I think it might have helped, No. 1, as Senator Scott likes to say, send a signal that we actually are listening, we hear you, we see you, and we are responding to you--no backroom negotiations like apparently what our Democratic colleagues want; rather, an open and honest debate right here in full view of the American people.

Our Democratic colleagues refused to participate in the process and have blocked us from even considering police reform legislation. This ``my way or the highway'' legislative strategy we have come to expect from our colleagues is absolutely shameful, and it is counterproductive.

I remember talking to Rodney Floyd--George Floyd's brother--shortly before his funeral, and he said: Senator, we are from Texas. What we want for George is Texas-sized justice.

I said: Rodney, I am going to do my very best to deliver.

Unfortunately, even though there were many of our Democratic colleagues who decried the cruel and tragic death of George Floyd, when it came time to step up and actually do something about it, they absolutely refused.

Let me just go over quickly what the bill would have done as proposed. Subject to amendments and votes, there would have been multiple opportunities to stop the bill if it wasn't heading in the direction they liked.

First of all, this would have made lynching a Federal crime. That provision in the bill was actually authored by Senators Harris and Booker, but believe it or not, they filibustered and blocked their own bill.

The JUSTICE Act would have ended the choke holds and prevented this dangerous and outdated tactic from being used in police departments across the country, but what did our Democratic colleagues do? They blocked it.

This legislation would have helped local police departments improve minority hiring so that the departments would look more like the communities they served. Our Democratic colleagues blocked that too.

This bill would have strengthened the use and accountability for body cameras, improved access to deescalation and duty to intervene training, and established two commissions to give us a better understanding of the challenges that need to be addressed in the long run. What did our Democratic colleagues do? They blocked each and every one of these things without even taking the time to debate.

Frankly, it is insulting to the memory of people like Mr. Floyd and others for whom so much empathy and sympathy and concern was expressed that when the time comes to actually do something, they come to this empty-handed.

For weeks, we have watched people of all races and cultures and backgrounds marching and demanding action. They want to see greater transparency and accountability. They want better training and education for our police officers. They want to know that at the end of the day, the color of your skin will not determine the nature and outcome of an interaction with a police officer. I agree with each of those points, and until this morning, I believed every Member of the Senate did as well. But the actions we have seen this morning blocking this legislation, stopping us from even debating the bill, offering amendments, trying to make it better--I guess I was giving our colleagues credit, which they clearly do not deserve.

The problems that led to the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans have not gone away, but our Democratic colleagues have proven they are more interested in politics than solutions.

Let the record reflect that this morning, the Senate had the opportunity to take the first step toward passing reforms that would begin to heal the divisions and distrust between law enforcement and the communities they served, and our Democratic colleagues unequivocally and shamelessly stood in the way.

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