Congress members call for police reform legislation following Tyre Nichols’ death

SHANNON LONGWORTH: PROTESTS OVER TYRE NICHOL’S DEATH AND RECENTLY RELEASED BODY CAM VIDEO HAVE REIGNITED TALKS OF POLICE REFORM ON THE HILL.

NICHOLS, A 29-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN, DIED EARLIER THIS MONTH–THREE DAYS AFTER POLICE PULLED HIM OVER FOR RECKLESS DRIVING AND BEAT HIM WHEN HE TRIED TO FLEE THE SCENE.

STEVEN HORSFORD: “FIRST, IT’S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE PRESIDENT KNOWS THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ENOUGH ISSUE FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT AT THE STATE OF THE UNION. I’VE INVITED THE NICHOLS FAMILY AS THE GUESTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS SO THEY WILL BE THERE ON THAT DAY TO HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HOW WE WILL FINALLY TAKE ACTION.”

LONGWORTH: NEW JERSEY SENATOR CORY BOOKER TWEETED: “I’LL NEVER STOP WORKING TO CREATE THE COALITION NECESSARY TO PASS POLICING REFORM AND TO HELP END THIS.”

LONGWORTH: WHILE SOME ARE CALLING FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE, HOUSE OVERSIGHT CHAIR JIM JORDAN DOESN’T THINK THAT’S THE SOLUTION.

JIM JORDAN: “WELL, I DON’T KNOW THAT THERE’S ANY LAW THAT CAN STOP THAT EVIL THAT WE SAW—THAT IS JUST DIFFICULT TO WATCH. WHAT STRIKES ME IS JUST THE LACK OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE.”

LONGWORTH: THE MOST RECENT EFFORT TO ADVANCE POLICE REFORM LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS WAS IN 2021. IT WAS AFTER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN WAS CONVICTED OF SECOND AND THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FOR THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD. SENATOR BOOKER, A DEMOCRAT, WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE WITH REPUBLICAN SENATOR TIM SCOTT TO NEGOTIATE THE LEGISLATION, BUT THEY ULTIMATELY FAILED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT. THE STICKING POINTS REPORTEDLY INCLUDED QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AND DISAGREEMENT FROM POLICE UNIONS.