Donald M. Payne: “I thank Chairman Horsford for bringing forth this Special Order hour and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey) for…”

“I thank Chairman Horsford for bringing forth this Special Order hour and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey) for hosting this Special Order hour. This Special Order hour focuses on the problem of police brutality, especially in Black and Brown communities. I welcome the opportunity to raise awareness for an issue that is so close to so many in my community. To the family of Tyre Nichols, I once again send my heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss in the wake of the release of that horrifying footage that the world watched of, yet again, another despicable display of police brutality in this country. Our cities and streets have been plagued for decades by this senseless and unnecessary use of force by sworn officers of the law. It has permeated facets of Black and Brown lives. In the last 10 years alone, my State of New Jersey has been home to 109 excessive force lawsuits against officers and police departments since 2012. Because of that number, I could not give you the names that were involved in these situations--as I said, 109. The profession of policing should not be costing States and local taxpayers millions of dollars each year in settlements for wrongful acts caused by those entrusted to protect and serve.…”