WASHINGTON – Moments ago, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor to demand passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R.7120). Cicilline is a co-sponsor of the bill and voted to pass it last week in the House Judiciary Committee.

David N. Cicilline
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
June 25, 2020

Madame Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited my district in April 1967.

Almost a year to the day he was killed, Dr. King told Rhode Islanders, “I haven’t lost faith in the future. But I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism or of racial inequality.”

More than 50 years later, we are still fighting the madness of racial inequality.

I believe that all of us in this chamber are here for a reason. It is our solemn duty to acknowledge the sins of the past 400 years, and begin to repair the soul of America.

We can build a better, more just country.

Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act because Black Lives Matter.

Make the critical reforms that we need to do right now.

End the chokehold. End racial profiling.

Demilitarize police departments. Hold bad police officers accountable.

When we do this, we can begin to rebuild trust between the police and the community.

Colleagues, do not be obstructionists.

Stand with us in this historic moment.

Set aside politics.

Stop living in fear of the President’s Twitter account.

Remember the oath you took for your constituents and our country.