What’s behind House Democrats’ sudden compromise on policing – By Li Zhouli (VOX) / Sept 22, 2022
House Democrats used a recent vote to show voters they are for the police.
On Thursday, House Democrats passed a package of bills intended to blunt the GOP broadsides they’ve faced on crime, seeking to dispel any perceptions that they want to “defund the police” amid growing worries about public safety.
Democrats tried to strike a delicate balance with this package: While it includes more grant money for police, it also contains bills that would invest in reform efforts activists favor such as community-based violence interventions and first responders who are trained specifically to address mental health crises. By tackling both, they hope to show their commitment to law enforcement while also acknowledging progressive concerns about the need for alternatives and accountability.
“There’s a lot in there, it’s not just more funding for police,” says Insha Rahman, a vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice.
CONTINUE > https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/9/22/23367572/democrats-policing-bills-midterms
