Biden Hosting George Floyd’s Family at White House On One-Year Anniversary of His Death

President Biden had plans of introducing sweeping police reform laws to commemorate the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. However, while lawmakers work out a compromise on the new legislation named after Floyd, Biden plans to honor Floyd by hosting his family at the White House.

Tuesday, May 25, marks one year since Floyd lost his life at the hands of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Last month, Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd’s murder and is awaiting his sentencing where he could face decades behind bars, BBC reported

During Biden’s address to Congress last month, the President shared his aim to have new police reform legislation sitting on his desk by May 25. But as senior staff within the Biden administration meets with Capitol Hill negotiators, both sides are working to draft a bill that will stand the test of time, Politico reports.

“We are not going to slow our efforts to get this done, but we can also be transparent about the fact that it’s going to take a little bit more time,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. “The president wants to sign it into law as quickly as possible.”

Activists are in support of the slight delay as they demand a substantial piece of legislation rather than a quick one.

“My concern is, and I’ve communicated this to the White House, is that we come with a toothless bill to meet a hard deadline,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network. “I’d rather have a bill with teeth late than a toothless bill on time.”

Despite not introducing any groundbreaking legislation on May 25. Biden will spend time with Floyd’s family to honor the life he lost at the hands of a police officer.

“He’s eager to listen to their perspectives and hear what they have to say during this meeting,” Psaki said of Biden meeting with Floyd’s family.