A resolution calling for justice for George Floyd and opposing calls to defund the police.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 613 Calling for justice for George Floyd and opposing calls to defund the police. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 10, 2020 Mr. COTTON (for himself, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. CRUZ, Ms. ERNST, Mr. MCCONNELL, Ms. MCSALLY, Mr. TOOMEY, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LEE, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. DAINES, Mr. MORAN, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. WICKER, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Ju- diciary RESOLUTION Calling for justice for George Floyd and opposing calls to defund the police. Whereas a free society depends on the rule of law, which is the foundation for the preservation of public order, peace, and individual rights; Whereas the United States has a troubled history of racism that includes slavery, the terror of lynch mobs, segrega- tion, and Jim Crow, and that history leaves the United States with important work to accomplish; Whereas the just and unbiased enforcement of the rule of law and the protection of innocent individuals against VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 10, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR613.IS SR613 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 613 IS lawbreakers is the essential function of government at the local, State, and Federal levels; Whereas the law enforcement profession is inherently dan- gerous, and police officers risk their lives every day; Whereas, in 2019, 89 Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty; Whereas law enforcement officers are entrusted by the public to uphold the law; Whereas law enforcement officers who abuse their positions, engage in corruption, employ excessive force, or exhibit bias betray the public trust and undermine the rule of law; Whereas the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, at the hands of law enforcement was a horrific act that violated the public trust and was inconsistent with the values and conduct expected of law enforcement officers; Whereas the law enforcement officers involved in the killing of George Floyd have been terminated from their posi- tions and charged with crimes relating to their conduct and their contribution to the death of George Floyd; Whereas good law enforcement cannot exist without account- ability and justice; Whereas understaffed police departments and undertrained police officers increase the risk of encounters that result in the use of force, including unjustifiable or excessive force; and Whereas defunding the police would leave police departments understaffed and undertrained, while also increasing the risk of violent crime to the communities of the United VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 10, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR613.IS SR613 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 613 IS States, especially vulnerable communities: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) calls for justice for George Floyd; and 2 (2) opposes efforts to defund the police. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 10, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR613.IS SR613 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS