Sheila Jackson Lee: “Just as the President does, the United States Congress has the bully pulpit. In doing so, I believe that America cries…”

“Just as the President does, the United States Congress has the bully pulpit. In doing so, I believe that America cries out for a response. Over the past 6 months to a year, we have seen a number of tragic incidences occurring between civilians and police. In particular, we cite the tragedy of the shooting of Walter Scott in South Carolina. All lives matter. To those who have been petitioning and protesting--young people indicating that black lives matter--it is a reflection of the high number of African Americans who find themselves at the wrong end of the gun of someone engaged in law enforcement. We know that there are good people who serve this Nation, and we are a law-abiding nation. So, Mr. Speaker, I think it is extremely important that we begin an open discussion in the Congress that deals with the issues of lethal force, excessive force, police training, statistics. I intend to introduce and to ask my colleagues to join me on the Cadet bill, which reaches a wide-ranging perspective of the statistics of shootings in America--civilian shootings on police and law enforcement shootings on civilians--because that is the science of criminal justice reform. I draw upon this to say that we cannot be silent anymore. People are hurting. My sympathy to those who have lost lives, including law enforcement and our civilians. ____________________”