WASHINGTON – The family of George Floyd met privately with President Joe Biden on Tuesday and pressed congressional leaders to strike a deal on a massive policing package one year after police killed Floyd on a south Minneapolis street.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gathered with the Floyd family for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. Looming over the emotional day, however, was the inability of Congress to meet the president's deadline to advance police reform legislation by the anniversary of Floyd's death.
"If you can make federal laws to protect the bird which is the bald eagle, you can make federal laws to protect people of color," Philonise Floyd, George's brother, told reporters after the meeting.
He described Biden as a "genuine guy" and said the family was thankful. But he also made clear they want to see the police reform legislation named after George Floyd signed into law.
In March, House Democrats passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The legislation was strongly opposed by Republicans, who favored a less sweeping series of changes.
After the family met with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Rep. Karen Bass in the morning, Pelosi told reporters, "They were lovely, they're optimistic, they're positive, but they're determined that we will get something done."
Outside the White House, Brandon Williams, George Floyd's nephew, said the president showed concern, and wanted to know how the family was doing and how he could support them.
"He did let us know that he supports passing the bill, but he wants to make sure that it's the right bill and not a rushed bill," Williams said. And on the deadline, Williams said Biden is "not happy about it not being met, but all in all, he just wants the bill to be right and meaningful and that it holds George's legacy intact."
