George Floyd police reform bill stalls in Senate over qualified immunity

On the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) highlighted the main hurdle stalling the Senate passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — qualified immunity. President Biden had given Congress a suggested deadline of May 25 to pass the legislation, reports CNBC.
"Qualified immunity is something I strongly believe should not be there," Booker told CBS News on Tuesday. As one of the bill's lead negotiators, the senator added he expects such protections for officers will not stand the test of time, and that he and others are "fighting" to ensure they are not a part of this bill.
The "provision to curb" qualified immunity remains the biggest pain point for Republicans worried that rolling back police protections would lead to "excessive" lawsuits, reports CNBC. Democrats, on the other hand, believe ending or sharply limiting qualified immunity would hold officers more accountable. CNBC writes "it is unclear now what compromise on qualified immunity could win over enough Democratic and Republican votes" for passage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the hold-up, an eventual agreement seems likely. On Monday, Booker and fellow negotiators Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) issued a joint statement saying they are "optimistic" about making "meaningful change" despite "differences on key issues."
As it stands, the legislation bans chokeholds, carotid holds and no-knock search warrants at the federal level, and would create a national database of police misconduct, among other reforms. Read more at CNBC.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
August 20 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Wednesday's political cartoons include NATO leadership, Putin's views on mail-in voting, and Donald Trump's National Guard deployments
-
Jasveen Sangha and the ketamine 'Wild West' of Hollywood
In The Spotlight Arrest of the 'ketamine queen' accused of supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with deadly dose has turned spotlight on a showbiz drug problem
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry grows
Speed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza