GOP senator says he spoke with George Floyd’s family

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), one of the upper chamber’s senior Republicans and a close advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), said Monday that he spoke with the family of George Floyd by phone the day of a public viewing in Floyd’s hometown of Houston.

“Earlier today I spoke with George Floyd’s family. I gave them my deepest condolences and offered to help however I can. But mostly I listened – it’s critical now more than ever that we all take the time to listen,” Cornyn tweeted Monday.

Earlier today I spoke with George Floyd’s family. I gave them my deepest condolences and offered to help however I can. But mostly I listened – it’s critical now more than ever that we all take the time to listen.

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 8, 2020

“I’m dedicated to rooting out racial injustices so no other family has to experience what George Floyd’s family has. It will require bipartisan commitment across the country & listening to the voices of those who have been most affected is the first step – we must not fail to act,” Cornyn added.

I’m dedicated to rooting out racial injustices so no other family has to experience what George Floyd’s family has. It will require bipartisan commitment across the country & listening to the voices of those who have been most affected is the first step – we must not fail to act.

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 8, 2020

Cornyn last week expressed skepticism about policing reform legislation Democrats have called for since Floyd’s death, calling it “opportunistic.”

“This idea that we somehow are going to paint all of law enforcement with a brush of racism is outrageous in and of itself and it’s obviously designed to divide the country further,” he said.

Floyd died in Minneapolis on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd protested that he was unable to breathe. Protests against police brutality and racial inequality have since then swept the nation, and Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other Minneapolis officers present at the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting both crimes.