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Rep. Burchett announces his support, sponsorship of the JUSTICE Act

June 19, 2020

Burchett: Congress must strongly encourage police reforms without sacrificing public safety

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (June 19, 2020) – Today, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) announced his support for the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act of 2020. This legislation aims to build stronger relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they protect without jeopardizing the safety of law-abiding Americans.

"The JUSTICE Act avoids a massive, one-size-fits-all federal response to police brutality, which we all agree needs to be eliminated," said Rep. Burchett. "State legislatures and city councils are best equipped to handle police reform – this legislation gives them tools to make it happen."

The JUSTICE Act focuses on detailed incident reporting, training through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and information sharing. It includes:

  • reporting all uses of firearms and no-knock warrants to the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
  • requiring all law enforcement departments to have clear policies in place concerning the use of chokeholds;
  • penalties for officers failing to use body cameras;
  • mandating DOJ intervention and de-escalation trainings; and
  • asking departments to collect and share information on officers who were disciplined or discharged for malpractice.

If the JUSTICE Act becomes law, police and law enforcement departments face reductions in federal funding for failing to comply.

The bill was originally introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). Rep. Burchett is one of the sponsors of the companion legislation in the House.

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