WASHINGTON — After Americans reacted in outrage to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Republicans and Democrats in Congress promised quick action on police reform.
Leaders on both sides offered a long list of ideas: a ban on chokeholds, an end to “no-knock” searches, and more.
Then, last week, the Senate deadlocked on the issue almost as quickly as it had vowed to act.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proposed a GOP bill with relatively mild measures that had been approved by the White House. Democrats pronounced the Republican bill so weak that it was “unsalvageable” and blocked it. Senate Republicans in turn refused to take up a House bill passed by Democrats.
Each side denounced the other, and a once-bipartisan goal suddenly appeared unreachable.
It was only one legislative failure among many; Congress’ reputation for gridlock has been richly earned.
But this one was a special tragedy. Most of the public, reacting to the gruesome video of Floyd’s death, wanted some kind of legislation. Republicans and Democrats who spoke to each other — a minority on Capitol Hill — said they believed compromise was possible.
WHAT WENT wrong? Both sides behaved badly. Each surrendered to internal political pressures.
That wasn’t surprising, especially in an election year, but it was still disappointing. This bill could have been an exception to the rule.
I called Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who usually votes with Democrats, to find out why the bipartisan push failed. King had voted with Republicans to allow McConnell’s bill to move forward. I think there was space for a compromise, and now I’m afraid we’re not going to get anything.Sen. Angus King, Maine Independent
He said he thought it was a mistake for Democrats to block the bill.
“I think there was space for a compromise, and now I’m afraid we’re not going to get anything,” he told me. “My concern was that if Democrats refused to go forward, McConnell would say, ‘OK, I tried,’ and move on — and that’s pretty much what happened.”
But King also faulted the Republican leader for refusing to let Democrats participate in drafting the bill.
“The only way to get things done in the Senate is with a bipartisan process,” he said. “This was a bill on a very complex topic drafted by one party.”
