Both the Democrat led House and Republican led Senate have rejected each other's legislation on police reform, leaving the country in the same state it began protests in. While there is some overlap such as increased body cameras and making lynching illegal (yes, that is not yet a federal crime), qualified immunity is the point neither side is willing to compromise on. Why?

What is Qualified Immunity?

To the disadvantage of victims and their families seeking justice, qualified immunity protects police officers if they themselves break the law, and are found guilty.

Republicans strongly support qualified immunity, claiming that its absence could deter future police officers from joining the force, or from taking actions that are 'needed' in the moment. The problem with qualified immunity is that it emphasizes the lack of consequences for the injustices committed by our police officers. If they uphold the law, they should be subject to it as well.

Democrats are adamant on repealing qualified immunity, especially with the support of the Black Congressional Caucus. Without legal protection, police officers and institutions at large would have to actually admit what they did was wrong. This is the core of the movement, demanding justice, acknowledgement that these crimes are in fact crimes, and that the change must come from the system which committed them.

The Republican bill has no ban on racial and religious profiling, while the Democratic bill does. Once again, the values police officers should uphold are not recognized or significant to republicans, which explains why qualified immunity is important to them -- because they would do things that would intrude on our constitutional rights in the first place. Republicans are okay with the possibility of someone being racially profiled, which is why they are willing to protect their officers.

Why can't we just have incredible police officers who would not need our legal protection in the first place?

However, recently Republican Senator Mike of Indiana has shown support of reforming qualified immunity. This is a great step in compromise, and might even put pressure on other Republicans to look at their bill again. Both sides need to come together as this issue boils over onto the American people, who are increasingly losing trust in their government institutions.