Despite months of protests across the U.S. this summer, policing in America is coming under scrutiny once again after police in Kenosha, Wisconsin shot Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, in front of his children.  Now Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D- N.Y. 9th District) is imploring the Senate to finally move on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in June.

"We've yet to see any real meaningful action around that legislation," Clarke told Cheddar. "There can't be another generation of Black children raised in this climate and subjected to the inhumanity that unfortunately can lead to death in this nation."

While Blake survived being shot multiple times by an officer on Sunday, his family has reported that he is paralyzed from the waist down. 

When it comes to government action on policing in America, Clarke said states like New York have been responsive and are taking steps to provide transparency and accountability but action needs to be taken on the federal level.

"We need national policy. This is a problem from New York to Wisconsin. We're seeing, again, this bias that can be deadly within the policing infrastructure in our nation," Clarke continued. 

While Senator Kamala Harris already co-sponsored the act in the Senate, Clarke is hopeful that as the potential vice president, she will be able to do more. 

Clarke also championed Harris' nomination for the vice presidential role as a step in the right direction and an opportunity to "bridge that divide" of racial inequality in the U.S.

"It's reflective of the diversity of the party that we know today in terms of gender, in terms of background, race, ethnicity, and I think it's very refreshing," she said.

Share:
More In Politics
Oil Could Hit $140 a Barrel Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Prices at the pump have escalated severely during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to explain how he sees the gas prices continuing to spiral despite the International Energy Agency announcing the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of 31 countries. "We think you could see oil and gas prices continue to rise. Oil prices maybe could hit $140 a barrel. That's possible. And that would add another 50-60 cents on top of the gasoline prices you already have," he said.
President Biden Set to Give First State of the Union Address Amid Russia Crisis, Inflation
President Joe Biden is set to give his first State of the Union address amid both international and domestic crises: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued rising inflation and economic worries at home. He's expected to focus on a four-point plan to reduce everyday costs, and promote economic competition, among other key tenets. But will it be enough to persuade Americans that his administration will be able to get rising prices and foreign policy moves under control? Eugene Scott, national politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins Closing Bell to discuss Biden's expected focus, how he will aim to ease Americans' concerns, and more.
Airbnb.org Pledges to Provide Housing for Ukrainian Refugees
Airbnb.org has announced that it will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees with free housing. Airbnb.org is the philanthropic branch of Airbnb that provides free housing for those affected by disasters. Joe Gebbia, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the company has helped thousands find shelter in times of crisis. "A lot of people are saying this conflict is likely to be the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and I believe Airbnb believes that companies have a responsibility to step up and to help out in times like these," he said.
Nations Agree to Release 60M Barrels of Oil Amid Russian War
The International Energy Agency’s 31 member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves “to send a strong message to oil markets” that supplies won’t fall short after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Why State Districts Are Purposefully Strange Shapes
Every ten years, there’s a census. That decennial count is long and tedious and arduous…and important. Because it confirms who lives where so the Federal Government properly allocates resources, so services go to the places that need them most and - yes - so states gain or lose seats in congress and have the opportunity to redraw all their state and Congressional lines. That means, every 10 years, states start what has famously been one of the most partisan and divisive processes in politics. Because one strategic line can mean the difference in party control in not just the state legislatures but also in congress. Cheddar explains how gerrymandering works and why it exists.
Load More