Rep. Maxine Waters Calls Out Senators Manchin and Sinema for Blocking Police Reform Legislation

Over the weekend, protesters took to the streets to demand police reform after the release of a video depicting the violent Memphis police beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. The video, which begins with a traffic stop and shows officers repeatedly beating Nichols with batons, punching him, and kicking him, has sparked outrage and calls for reform.

In response to the incident, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said on Sunday that not enough members of Congress are invested in police reform legislation for it to pass. Waters singled out Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) for being opposed to abandoning the filibuster, which has hindered Democrats’ ability to pass police reform and other legislation. The filibuster requires 60 votes to begin and end debate for most legislation before a final vote can be called.

“They would rather have the power to determine what happens in the Senate by using their two votes for themselves than anything else,” Waters said.

More gatherings and vigils are planned for Sunday in response to the incident. Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate, but the filibuster has made it difficult to pass police reform legislation.

The tragic death of Tyre Nichols has sparked outrage and calls for reform. As protesters continue to take to the streets to demand change, the future of police reform legislation remains uncertain.