Tina Smith: “I rise today to continue to lift up the voices of millions of Americans who are demanding policing reform as a necessary…”

“I rise today to continue to lift up the voices of millions of Americans who are demanding policing reform as a necessary step on the path towards racial justice in this country. The challenges in defeating systemic racism can seem insurmountable, but there are clear next steps. We need to start by transforming our policing system to root out the systemic racism and the culture of violence that is killing Black and Brown and indigenous people and people of color. I want to talk today about four areas of this work that need our urgent attention. First, we need to bring justice, accountability, and change to police departments by passing the Justice in Policing Act. Second, we need to invest in new models of public safety by supporting community-led reform and innovation. I am asking the Senate to take up and pass my new bill to do just that. Third, we need to end the criminalization of poverty, which happens when other social systems fail. Finally, we need to root out racism in our systems of education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity so that everyone in this country can have the freedom and the opportunity to build the lives they choose. In order to bring justice, accountability, and change to policing departments around the country, we need to start by passing the Justice in Policing Act.…”