House Democrats pass police reform deal ahead of midterm elections

The House passed a series of police reform bills Thursday after last-minute negotiations among Democrats delayed the effort.

The deal ultimately united centrist and progressive lawmakers in the party on a key issue ahead of the midterm elections. The Senate is unlikely to take up the deal before Nov. 8.

The bills resurrected a previous attempt to reach an agreement on a package of pro-policing bills centrists sought to counter the narrative that Democrats widely support “defund the police'' efforts embraced by some progressives.

“Today, we will witness with our own eyes who actually wants to fund the police,” Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) said in remarks on the House floor, adding, “Join us in backing the blue.”