Dear San Franciscan,

America is experiencing a moment of national anguish, as we grieve the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others killed by police brutality and racial injustice. But Americans from across the country peacefully protesting have transformed this moment of pain into a movement of national action to demand an end to systemic injustice and police brutality.

Congresswoman Pelosi delivers remarks on the House Floor in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

This week, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, House Democrats passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: bold, unprecedented reforms to curb police brutality, end racial profiling and eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement. Specifically, the bill:

• Bans chokeholds;
• Stops no-knock warrants;
• Ends the qualified immunity doctrine that is a barrier to holding police officers accountable for wrongful conduct;
• Combats racial profiling;
• Mandates data collection, including body cameras and dashboard cameras; and
• Establishes new standards for policing.

Sadly, in my opinion, the President’s weak Executive Order and Senate Republicans’ proposal both fall seriously short of what is required to combat the epidemic of racial injustice and police brutality in America, and fail to contain meaningful, mandatory accountability measures to end misconduct. During this moment of national anguish, we must insist on bold change, not surrender to the bare minimum.

Philonise Floyd receives the flag that flew over the Capitol the day of his brother's murder before giving his heart-wrenching testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

As more names are added to an unbearably long list of Black Americans who have been killed at the hands of law enforcement, House Democrats will work to ensure that justice has been done and will continue to insist on the truth that Black Lives Matter. We urge Congressional Republicans and the White House to join us to support real change. The American people are watching, and they expect us to find common ground to save lives.