WASHINGTON _ The policing overhaul debate in Congress has confronted a familiar obstacle that falls along party lines: Democrats want to include the strongest language to force state and local law enforcement departments to make changes, while Republicans want to avoid anything that will be viewed as a federal mandate.
In some cases the language in Democrats' bill, introduced June 8, goes significantly further than the GOP legislation, which was introduced on Wednesday. But in other areas the differences are minimal.
While both sides claim they want to compromise, they're also using harsh rhetoric to attack the others' proposal _ a sign that bipartisan negotiations are not imminent.
"We don't need a window-dressing, toothless bill. We need to take action that is real," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, reacting to the GOP bill on CNN Wednesday afternoon.
"They have taken their lead from some of our pointers, but they have pulled their punch when it came to getting the job done," the California Democrat added.
Republicans weren't any kinder in their descriptions of Democrats' legislation, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling it a "nonstarter."
"It's basically typical Democratic overreach to try to control everything in Washington," the Kentucky Republican told reporters Tuesday. "We have no interest in that."
For now, the parties are proceeding with dueling votes next week. The House will vote on the Democratic bill on June 25 and the Senate will attempt to bring up the GOP bill midweek.
Are the differences really as insurmountable as congressional leaders are making them sound? Here's a breakdown of the different approaches _ including an executive order President Donald Trump signed on Tuesday _ the parties take on four key issues:
