Senators on both sides of the aisle spent Tuesday debating a Republican-backed police reform bill drafted in response to widespread outcry after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other unarmed Black people by police.
Democrats in the Senate have said the Republican bill isn't salvageable in regards to achieving actual improvements in policing. The GOP bill doesn't explicitly ban chokeholds or no-knock warrants like the one that killed Breonna Taylor—it merely discourages them.
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) debated the Democratic misgivings with the Republican bill against Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and one of their exchanges is now going viral.
Harris criticized Cornyn and his fellow Republicans for their unwillingness to hold meaningful debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee before bringing the bill to the floor.
Cornyn tried to best Harris by accusing her of wanting to hold debate and negotiations on the bill behind closed doors.
It didn't go well for him.
Watch below.
Republicans sent John Cornyn out to troll @SenKamalaHarris while she explained in detail why their bill is a transparent effort to derail actual police reform. It did not go well. pic.twitter.com/gFn5JddH8g
— Chris Harris (@chris_p_harris) June 23, 2020
Cornyn said:
"What I'm trying to fathom...is why the Senator would rather have these negotiations occur behind closed doors as opposed to here on the floor of the Senate for the American people to see broadcast on television. Don't you think that sort of interaction and debate and negotiation out in front of all 330 million Americans would be beneficial to healing our country and coming to some consensus about what the appropriate reforms should be?"
Harris, with a smile, correctly pointed out:
"Indeed, that is the beauty of the judiciary committee. Our meetings are public meetings."
A long and awkward silence followed.
People commended Harris for her exemplary takedown.
Me: 911?
911: Yes.
Me: I'd like to report... no, sorry, I don't call the cops on black excellence... I need the fire department.
911: Why?
Me: @KamalaHarris just stranded @JohnCornyn is a tree and I don't think he can get down.
911: Sending Ladder Company "Ya Got Burnt" now. https://t.co/zGEEIGrJIz
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) June 23, 2020
When Sen. Cornyn tried to come for @SenKamalaHarris on the floor today: pic.twitter.com/5Ivg8nif3O
— Marissa Sanchez (@MarissaSan17) June 23, 2020
Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy today's matinee production of "When You Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight," starring Senator Kamala Harris and Senator John Cornyn.
Open on the Senate floor: pic.twitter.com/dv3fAPgfxJ
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) June 23, 2020
She basically told him, “Bring it. Ain't nothing between us but space and opportunity." pic.twitter.com/pF7QpXg6pa
— Hank Neloms (@MongoSlade64) June 23, 2020
I don't know who the hell thought this was a good idea, but Cornyn got flame broiled.
Imagine what she would do to Pence. https://t.co/tC2UDmyLkP
— Angry Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff) June 23, 2020
Why did Kamala Harris embarrass John Cornyn like that?😭😩😂 pic.twitter.com/tmQD8tqLuf
— The General (@generalunite) June 23, 2020
Her performance only heightened hopes that Harris would be Joe Biden's pick for Vice President.
Senator Harris for Vice President. That's it. That's the tweet. @SenKamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/RZzGNAOuO6
— O (@omaraguadoart) June 23, 2020
If Senator Harris is the VP nom, the Vice Presidential Debate is gonna be a bloodbath. https://t.co/U9VX3aFxts
— Clay Shaver (@NoJustClay) June 23, 2020
And in that moment Senator Harris just seized the vice presidency like a fucking pirate. She was *almost* going to add something but you could see her think “No, he's already dead." Being on Pence.
— ZimmermannFritz (@ZimmermannFrit2) June 23, 2020
If Senator Harris is Joe Biden's choice as VP candidate, they should charge admission & have Pay Per View to see the Vice Presidential debate. She will eviscerate Pence. https://t.co/GUfda0PcFz
— Joe D. #NewYorkTough (@nyliberal44) June 23, 2020
Biden has said he intends to announce his Vice Presidential nominee in early August.
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