Sheila Jackson Lee: “Many of us are disappointed that sometime on the floor today we will spend precious time that could be utilized for our…”

“Many of us are disappointed that sometime on the floor today we will spend precious time that could be utilized for our focus on ISIS, focus on increasing the minimum wage and addressing social issues across America on condemning the President for authority that he had and for, in essence, rescuing Sergeant Bergdahl. But that is, unfortunately, where we find ourselves. I am here to indicate that the President has enormous responsibilities and has been thoughtful but forceful on behalf of the American people. As they indicated, there are many issues that we have great concern with, and last evening colleagues of mine in the Congressional Black Caucus stood on the floor of the House to address the heinous killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. First, let me thank Congressman Lacy Clay and Congressman Cleaver for their leadership. They had to be on the front lines embracing the family members and community. But those of us in distance want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Michael Brown and indicate that we have had great police-community relations through many of our districts overcoming some very serious obstacles, as we did in Houston, Texas. We started community-oriented policing at the leadership of former Mayor Lee P. Brown. It can be done. On the Judiciary Committee, I have worked with funding for community- oriented policing, and, therefore, I don't take a backseat to my support of law enforcement across this Nation.…”