Senator Tim Scott fired back after Democrat colleague Dick Durbin referred to the GOP police reform bill as a “token” approach.
Republicans on Wednesday unveiled their Justice Act police reform legislation which was led by Scott, the lone black Republican in the Senate.
The legislation seeks to promote minority hiring within police departments, use of a database to hold problem cops accountable, and restrict chokeholds.
Durbin (D-IL) wasn’t a big fan and expressed it not so subtle terms.
“We cannot waste this historic moment,” he said from the floor. “Let’s not do something that is a token, half-hearted approach.”
Sen. Dick Durbin describes Sen. @TimScottSC‘s police reform bill as a “token, half-hearted approach” pic.twitter.com/dAVeU8NRvb
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 17, 2020
RELATED: Senator Tim Scott Turns The Tables On Democrats After Being Called ‘Token’ Black Republican
Scott Fires Back
The fact that media coverage consistently pointed out that Scott was being asked to lead the Republican police reform efforts, combined with the fact that he already talked about fighting off racist claims that he is nothing more than a “token” black, led many viewers to suggest Durbin’s words were not accidental.
“Dick Durbin — the second-ranking Senate Democrat — just referred to [Scott’s] bill as a ‘token’ approach, in a floor speech,” tweeted Fox News contributor Guy Benson. “Subtle!”
“Shame on him!” another wrote.
But it was Scott’s response to the most appropriately named Senator in history that really lit up social media. He didn’t hold back.
“Y’all still wearing those kente cloths over there [Senator Durbin]?” he replied.
Y’all still wearing those kente cloths over there @SenatorDurbin? https://t.co/h3WETXn3We
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) June 17, 2020
Somebody better start making arrangements for the paramedics to show up because Durbin isn’t getting up from that one.
Scott (R-SC) is referring to the kente cloths that Senate Democrats wore as a condescending prop upon introducing their own police reform plan.
The lawmakers were widely ridiculed for the photo-op and a fact-checker noted the kente cloths actually have roots in the slave trade.
Congressional Democrats take a knee as they observe a nearly nine minute moment of silence for George Floyd at Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/JnqDlzMFDq pic.twitter.com/8CBdgtLUjz
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2020
RELATED: Fact Checker: Kente Cloths Worn By Democrats For Photo Op Were Worn By Slave Traders
Scott Hammers Dems
The absolute audacity of Durbin to conjure up racial tones against Scott while Democrats were actually making ‘token’ gestures with their kneeling stunt and what one activist referred to as “African garb.”
Scott already addressed leftists referring to him as a “token” on social media earlier in the week.
Not surprising the last 24 hours have seen a lot of “token” “boy” or “you’re being used” in my mentions. Let me get this straight…you DON’T want the person who has faced racial profiling by police, been pulled over dozens of times, or been speaking out for YEARS drafting this?
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) June 10, 2020
He also took a shot at Democrats over the myth that they’re much more racially diverse than Republicans, especially when it comes to staffing.
“And don’t throw ‘you’re the only black guy they know’ at me either,” Scott said. “There are only two black Democratic Senators, stop pretending there’s some huge racial diversity gap in the Senate.”
“Ask my Dem colleagues what their staffs look like … I guarantee you won’t like the answer,” he added.