Rep. Dingell: Congress’ Ability to Pass Police Reform Hinges on November Election

From a pandemic to demands for a police overhaul, the pressure on elected officials to act and legislate with urgency seems like it’s never been greater than it is now.

“We need to know that this election is going to decide the future of our country.” — Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D-12)

But for some, it’s difficult to see how criminal justice reform can pass a divided Congress. 

Listen: Congresswoman Dingell says November Election is Crucial to Passing Police Reform

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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Dearborn representing Michigan’s 12th district, says that she believes the November election will play a large role in Congress’ ability to pass police reform measures.

“I think we’ve got to get the election done in November. I think we need to have a real conversation about what real changes we want. They’re not real because we have a Republican Senate and a President who is never going to sign any of this,” she says.

“Frankly, we need to ban things that kill people, like chokeholds.” 

Dingell says that police reform measures in Congress may be stalled for now, she remains hopeful for the future. She says that while the police force should not be completely abolished, there are changes that must be made to policing in America.

“I know a lot of people are skeptical that there’s any ability to bring people together,” she says. “Frankly, we need to ban things that kill people, like chokeholds.” 

With threats of the novel coronavirus still looming, Dingell is encouraging people to vote by mail in the November election, and says that voter turnout is crucial.

“I think we’ve got to be very careful. I think that every person needs to know that their vote matters and that we can’t take this for granted,” she says. “We need to know that this election. is going to decide the future of our country.”