Sen. Tim Scott Slams Democrats Over ‘George Floyd’ Bill After They Rejected His Police Reforms

March 3, 2021
tim scott police reform

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate’s only black Republican, Tim Scott, blasted House Democrats over their forthcoming police reform bill, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (JIPA).

Because last year when Sen. Scott introduced his police reform bill, the JUSTICE Act, Senate Democrats filibustered it despite support from both parties.

Scott said Tuesday, “I am disappointed that the House has decided to vote on a partisan bill in an attempt to fix a non-partisan issue.”

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Sen. Scott Has Been A Longtime Advocate For Police And Criminal Justice Reform

Scott has been working on and speaking out about issues related to police and criminal justice reform for years.

After an unarmed black man was murdered by police in North Charleston, South Carolina in 2015, the senator gave an emotional speech in 2016 on the chamber floor about his own harrowing experiences with law enforcement throughout his life.

Scott wrote in a 2018 USA Today op-ed that he, like other African Americans, “have found myself choking on my own fears and disbelief” during tragedies involving law enforcement.

Sen. Scott: ‘I Am Not Immune To Being Stopped’

“Even today, while I have the privilege of serving as a United States senator, I am not immune to being stopped while driving at home or even while walking onto the grounds of the Capitol,” Scott wrote.

“Each time, I hold my breath and each time, I have been able to exhale and go about my business. Thank God!” he added.

Scott’s JUSTICE Act bill included several measures that police reform advocates have long sought, including incentives for chokehold bans and money to purchase body cameras for police officers.

In 2020, Senate Republicans laid out a short demonstration of the legislation Scott was offering and how it was ultimately rejected by Democrats – including now Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Sen. Scott Not Happy About The Partisanship

Scott’s bill contained most of what is in the Democrats’ bill now.

A borderline angry Scott told the Senate last year, “The actual problem is not what is being offered; it is who is offering it.”

Sen. Scott said on Tuesday, “I hope my friends on the other side of the aisle will come to the table to find common ground where we can make meaningful changes that will bring us closer to the goal of a more just country.”

Trump Endorses Tim Scott For Re-Election

Just yesterday, President Trump endorsed Senator Scott in his upcoming re-election bid in 2022.

The two had worked together on Scott’s criminal justice reform bill.

By John Hanson

is a professional writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in conservative media and Republican politics. He... More about John Hanson

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