House Dems pass police reform bill as impasse deepens

(U.S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi): "It will save lives"

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a sweeping police reform bill on Thursday- one month to the day after George Floyd's death in police custody set off worldwide protests against police brutality.

Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Representative Karen Bass:

"George Floyd Justice Policing Act establishes a bold, transformative vision in America that ends racial profiling, that ends police brutality, that ends the practice of denying Americans the ability to sue when they have been injured and gives local jurisdictions to fire or prosecute defending officers."

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday urged the Republican-led Senate to agree to the measure and finally pass a bill to respond to the crisis:

"The Senate will have a choice to honor George Floyd's life or do nothing"

But it's unlikely the GOP-led Senate will agree to the House bill as Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked over how to address racial inequities in American policing despite strong public sentiment for effective reform.

(Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer):"This bill lost because it was woefully inadequate."

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican reform bill - authored by Senator Tim Scott, the chamber's only Black Republican - following concerns by civil rights leaders that the bill wasn't tough enough on policing.

The Democratic and Republican bills address similar issues but the House measure takes a tougher stance - prohibiting no-knock warrants in drug cases altogether and banning chokeholds whereas the Senate bill defines chokeholds more narrowly.

Republicans warn that the Democratic bill could undermine law enforcement, in part because it would remove qualified immunity protections for police and allow victims of misconduct to sue for damages.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and other Senate Democrats said they believed Wednesday's outcome makes it more likely that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will agree to negotiations on a stronger bipartisan measure.

McConnell said he would schedule another vote if there was enough progress on closing Republican-Democratic differences.

(U.S. President Donald Trump): "If nothing happens with it, it's one of those things, we have different philosophies."

But President Donald Trump said he would not accept Democratic reforms and suggested the issue could end in stalemate.