Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Ahead of House Vote on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

Contact: Speaker's Press Office,

202-226-7616

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Liberty and justice for all. That is what we pledge allegiance to every day.

Today, we stand across from the Supreme Court where, seven years ago today, the Court undermined justice with the Shelby v. Holder decision to gut the Voting Rights Act, which we have enacted, again, to fix with our Voting Rights Advancement Act, sitting over in the Senate.

Today, we sit amid the injustice of the coronavirus, which has disproportionately inflicted suffering on our communities of color, which we enacted to address in The Heroes Act which sits over in the Senate.

Today, we are standing here for justice as we bring forth the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Exactly one month ago, George Floyd spoke his final words, ‘I can't breathe,' and changed the course of history. Since that horrific day, Americans from every walk of life and corner of the country have been marching, protesting and demanding that this moment of national agony become one of national action.

Today, with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the House is honoring his life and the lives of all killed by police brutality, and pledging: never again. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act will fundamentally transform the culture of policing to address systemic racism, curb police brutality and bring accountability to our police departments. It will save lives, as the distinguished Chairwoman of the Black Caucus, author of this resolution, has spelled out.

Two weeks ago, Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, testified powerfully before the Judiciary Committee. He said then, ‘The people marching in the streets are telling us enough is enough. Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs.' He went on to say, ‘George's name means something. If his death ends up changing the world for the better – and I think it will;' he said, ‘I think it has – then he died as he had lived. It is on you to make sure his death isn't in vain.'

Today, we have the opportunity and the obligation to ensure that his death, and the deaths of so many others, are not in vain. When we pass this bill, the Senate will have a choice: to honor George Floyd's life or to do nothing.

I thank the Congressional Black Caucus for bringing us together on this historic day, as we prepare to pass, once again, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

We are blessed to be led by the CBC Chair Karen Bass, who brings 47 years of leadership advocating for racial justice and an end to police brutality.

Thank you to the Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler for his leadership. Also, to Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative Emanuel Cleaver and all of the Judiciary Committee members and Black Caucus members and other caucuses of the Congress, as well, for their tireless work to bring this bill to the Floor.

We are privileged to be joined with Kristen Clarke, President of National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a champion for equal justice in America. We welcome you and thank you for your leadership.

And with that, it is my honor and privilege at this time to yield to the distinguished Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler. Mr. Nadler.