US Democrats in Congress have proposed sweeping legislation to reform American police, following weeks of protests against police brutality and racism.
The bill would make it easier to prosecute police for misconduct, ban chokeholds, and addresses racism.
Its comes as Minneapolis lawmakers vowed to disband the city’s police force.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of a white officer there sparked national pressure for change.
However, it was unclear whether Republicans, who control the US Senate, will support the proposed Justice in Policing Act of 2020.
Mr Floyd’s brother is expected to testify to the House of Representatives later this week in a hearing on police reform.
The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 was introduced on Monday by top Democratic lawmakers House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, black senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
As she unveiled the bill, Mrs Pelosi read the names of black men and women who have died at the hands of police in recent years.
The bill forces federal police to use body and dashboard cameras, ban chokeholds, eliminate unannounced police raids known as “no-knock warrants”, make it easier to hold police liable for civil rights violations and calls for federal funds to be withheld from local police forces who do not make similar reforms.
The bill makes lynching a federal crime, limits the sale of military weapons to the police and gives the Department of Justice the authority to investigate state and local police for evidence of department-wide bias or misconduct.
Related posts:
Australian govt to introduce legislation making wage theft illegal
House Democrats to introduce 2nd impeachment against President Trump on Monday
Trump to sign order sweeping away Obama-era climate policies
FCT Environmental Agency begins sweeping, vacuuming of Eagle Square
Saraki tasks African parliament on people-oriented legislation
Tanzania economy stakeholders fault latest mining legislation
DSS, INEC seek legislation to check fake news
LAUTECH Alumni wants legislation of monthly Subvention
