Garcia Helps Introduce The JUSTICE Act

Rep. Mike Garcia Helps Introduce The JUSTICE Act
Garcia is an Original Co-Sponsor of the House Companion Legislation to Senator Tim Scott's Bill

Washington, D.C. - This morning, Representative Mike Garcia helped introduce the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act in the United States House of Representatives as an original co-sponsor. Submitted by Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08), this is the companion legislation to the bill introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). The JUSTICE Act seeks to provide solutions that increase transparency, accountability, and performance so that our nation's law enforcement officers are better prepared to protect the communities they serve.

"Now is the time for us to have a serious and open dialogue about what meaningful reforms to community policing look like," said Rep. Mike Garcia. "The vast majority of law enforcement officers are upstanding individuals that serve their local communities with honor. However, the horrific actions of the few have unfortunately cast a negative impression over all who stand watch along the thin blue line."

The JUSTICE Act focuses on several key issue areas, namely: improving law enforcement transparency through additional reporting, ensuring law enforcement agencies and officers are accountable, improving training that officers receive to perform their duty, and creating provisions that address historical racism and racial inequities.

Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, had the following to say regarding The JUSTICE Act: "Republicans in Congress are focused on solving problems that face the law enforcement community. Congressmen Stauber and Garcia's police reform legislation will undoubtedly improve the relationship between local communities and the police by enacting thoughtful and tailored reforms. While Democrats cheer the defunding of the police, Republicans understand that the police are a valuable pillar of civil society and in need of our support. This legislation will make America a safer place for every citizen and ensure that our law enforcement officials are not forgotten."

"In order to truly make progress on public safety, and unite this nation, it is imperative to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve," said Rep. Pete Stauber. "The JUSTICE Act will do just that by implementing community policing best practices, creating transparency when it comes to reporting incidents with law enforcement, and holding officers and departments alike accountable for their actions. Delivering lasting reform should not be a partisan issue, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this important issue. Our nation is calling for change, and I am confident that we will rise to the occasion."

"Collectively, our hearts are heavy right now, and our communities are crying out for real solutions. It is imperative that we, as elected officials, listen carefully and work diligently to find those solutions so that our country can continue to mature and our communities can continue to heal. That is why I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of this critically important piece of legislation," concluded Rep. Mike Garcia.

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