The way they have given the GOP an ultimatum, you’d think the Democrats were in control of the Senate. But they are not and were reminded of it Tuesday as their threat over passing their pro-rioter police reform bill and their subsequent spin fell on deaf ears with the GOP leadership. “This is a profound moment, it is a moral moment,” said Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a co-author of the Democrat proposal. “The call is for us to act.”
But it isn’t any of that, as most Americans are appalled by the rioting, arson, and looting that has typified Booker’s “moral moment” and want the federal government to ensure civil safety first. Also, lawmakers are hesitant to make moves upsetting to voters as they campaign for election and President Donald Trump, facing his own reelection, wants to continue his winning theme of law and order. He can’t do that if he caves to the pro-domestic terrorism bill proposed by the Democrats. Thus, the Democrat bill is dead on arrival at the Senate and the White House. The Democrats can read numbers and know this. Thus, their current teary-eyed protestations are nothing more than saccharine public relations.
Ahead of a test vote Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) acknowledged his bill may not have a majority. If so, he said he would bring it up again, hoping to pass legislation before a July 4 holiday recess.
The GOP’s Justice Act would create a national database of police use-of-force incidents, limit the use of police chokeholds, and set up new training procedures. The White House says an immunity provision is off the table. This bill would address most of the issues currently under debate. Before they even read it, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and top Democrats signaled they would oppose the Republican bill as “not salvageable.” That’s not an analysis of legislation. It’s the opening bid in a poker game.
The Democratic opposition is being supported by Benjamin Crump, representing the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, who said, “The Black community is tired of the lip service.” Crump, who stands to make many millions off this case, not to mention greatly enhanced stature in the legal community due to trial publicity, sanctimoniously and pompously said the GOP package is “in direct contrast to the demands of the people, who have taken to the streets, to call for the reallocation of resources in order to improve social safety nets and public mental health programs.”
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund said of the bill, “In this moment, we cannot support legislation that does not embody a strong accountability framework for police officers and other law enforcement who engage in misconduct as well as needed reforms to policing practices.” Their support is not a factor in the larger political process, as they are an organization that saw its best days over fifty years ago. But certain Democrats use them for cover when supporting a bill they know to be misguided.
By rejecting the bill outright before reading it, Democrats are trying to force Republicans to the negotiating table. The House will approve the Democrat bill later this week. But the Senate will set the tune: “We’re ready to make a law, not just make a point,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate on Tuesday. He said Americans “deserve better than a partisan stalemate.”
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