Democrats Block GOP Motion to Condemn ‘Defund Police’ Movement, Riots
231 House Democrats votes against amendment
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House Democrats have blocked a procedural motion to condemn the nationwide riots and the 'Defund the Police' movement.
As the House prepared to vote on Justice in Policing Act, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced a motion to delay its passage, allowing a vote on a proposed amendment.
The amendment would:
- Praises law enforcement for keeping the police
- “Calls for justice for officers and others who have suffered from violence the hands of extremists.”
- “Strongly condemns the violence, riots, and looting in the United States.”
- “Strongly opposes any effort to establish autonomous areas within the sovereign territory of the United States.”
- “Strongly opposes efforts to defund, dismantle, or disband police forces.”
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Steube’s revision attempt failed with 231 votes against and 176 votes in favor.
But zero Democrats voted for Steube’s amendment.
House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Jim Jordan (R-OH) praised the amendment, saying it would call for “justice” for police and Floyd.
🚨🚨 Democrats just BLOCKED a vote on @RepGregSteube's resolution that calls for:
— Mark Bednar (@MarkBednar) June 25, 2020
• Justice for George Floyd
• Condemns violence & rioting
• Prevents defunding of police pic.twitter.com/4j1cOeExwf
He added the amendment would also condemn “violence and the creation of autonomous zones.”
Jordan continued:
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.
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“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,” he added.
“If we allow this defund the police concept to happen, to take root and to actually take place it will not only be tough for police officers but the communities they serve, what will happen there? It’s frightening.”
The news comes as Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs called for “law and order" after weeks of civil unrest following the death of George Floyd.
Biggs blasted Black Lives Matter and far-left group Antifa for sending the nation “up in flames."
Despite the GOP's move to condemn the riots, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed Republicans for the death of George Floyd.
The House speaker said Republicans are "trying to get away with murder, actually -- the murder of George Floyd" during an interview CBS News Radio correspondent Steve Futterman.
