House Democrats voted Thursday to block a resolution that called for justice for George Floyd and opposed defunding the police.
The resolution, introduced by Republican Florida Rep. Greg Steube, called for supporting law enforcement, supported Americans’ right to peacefully assemble in protest, and condemned rioting and looting. Democrats blocked the resolution by advancing the previous question.
“Whereas the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, at the hands of law enforcement was a horrific act that violated the public trust and was inconsistent with the values and conduct expected of law enforcement officers; Whereas the law enforcement officers involved in the killing of George Floyd have been terminated from their positions and charged with crimes relating to their conduct and contribution to the death of George Floyd; Whereas in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd, peaceful protests began across the United States focused on justice for African-American victims of police misconduct,” part of the resolution states.
Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan gave a speech on the House floor in support of the resolution, saying there is no reason to oppose it. (RELATED: WARNING GRAPHIC: We Spent A Few Hours On Black Lives Matter Plaza — Here’s What It Looked Like)
“What happened in Minneapolis we all know was a tragedy. Never should have happened. Wrong as wrong could be and his family deserves justice,” Jordan said. “There is a big difference between peaceful protest and rioting. There is a big difference between peaceful protests and violence.”
“There is a big difference between peaceful protest and attacking police officers. And there is certainly a big difference between peaceful protest and forming CHAZ or CHOP or any type of autonomous zone,” he continued. “Our resolution strongly opposes what I think is one of the craziest public policy proposals I have ever seen: this idea that we’re going to defund the police.”
WATCH:
Democrats just BLOCKED a vote on @RepGregSteube‘s resolution that calls for:
• Justice for George Floyd
• Condemns violence & rioting
• Prevents defunding of police pic.twitter.com/4j1cOeExwf— Mark Bednar (@MarkBednar) June 25, 2020
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office called Democrats’ refusal to consider the resolution “downright shameful.” (RELATED: Minneapolis City Council Unanimously Votes To Get Rid Of Police)
Not one Democrat voted in favor of the resolution.