Tyre Nichols' Passing Prompts Renewed Calls For Congressional Action On Police Reform

Tyre Nichols’ death in Memphis while driving unarmed has prompted a request for Congress to relaunch its federal police reform initiatives.

Rep. Steven Horford, D-Nev., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, acknowledged the difficulties of passing legislation under a divided government and said he wants President Joe Biden to play a stronger role in negotiations and perhaps executive actions.

Horsford stated to National Public Radio on Monday that he thought the president had a special power to unite us. “We anticipate the president participating in assisting us in forging a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive police accountability and justice reform.”

A police reform package that includes new wording for police accountability and funding for hiring and training for police departments nationwide was approved by the House in September. However, because it didn’t go far enough, progressive Democrats including Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan voted against it.

In 2021, the Senate’s effort to approve a bill, sponsored by Cory Booker of New Jersey and Tim Scott of South Carolina, similarly fell short.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois urged Booker and Scott to give it another shot.

Durbin stated on Sunday, “We need a national discourse about policing in a responsible, constitutional, and humanitarian approach. “Every day, these badge-wearing men and women put their lives at danger to protect us. I am aware of that. However, these recordings also show the awful behavior of these same officers in deplorable circumstances.”

President Joe Biden has in the interim extended an invitation to Nichols’ parents to attend his State of the Union address. They will be joined by Brandon Tsay, who took the weapon from the Monterey Park shooter after he had slain 11 people in a Lunar New Year celebration at a dance club in Alhambra, California.

When Nichols’ mother and stepfather, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, viewed a video showing Memphis police abusing Nichols, who later passed away from his injuries three days later, Biden privately spoke with them.

Seventh officer suspended following ongoing administrative inquiry into Nichols’ death, according to Memphis Police late Monday. Police reported that a sixth officer had been suspended earlier in the day.

Three individuals were let go by the Memphis Fire Department on Monday as a result of their response to the scene after Nichols was assaulted. EMT Robert Long, EMT JaMichael Sandridge, and Lt. Michelle Whitaker, according to Fire Chief Gina Sweat, broke multiple departmental rules.

Nichols did not arrive at St. Francis Hospital until 22 minutes after being summoned, according to Sweat, who claimed that the two EMTs did not conduct a sufficient patient assessment.

Tyre Nichols’ Passing Prompts Renewed Calls For Congressional Action On Police Reform

Tyre Nichols’ death in Memphis while driving unarmed has prompted a request for Congress to relaunch its federal police reform initiatives.

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