Biden Keeps Mum on Stance on BLM-Backed BREATHE Act
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has been keeping mute on his stance on the Black Lives Matter-supported BREATHE Act.
That was despite the call of the progressive side of his party to pass the legislation designed to make social justice reforms in the first 100 days of his administration.
The BREATHE Act was introduced by Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, according to a Fox News report.
BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors has urged Biden and Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris to meet with her soon to talk about Black communities' future under the new administration.
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"We are requesting that - in the first 100 days - the Biden-Harris administration works to pass this legislation," Cullors said in a Hollywood Reporter report.
Cullors added that the BREATHE Act would present simple ideas to the table, such as divesting federal resources from incineration and policing, among others.
She also commented on Harris' possible vice presidency, saying that it is powerful for so many they have Harris, a Black woman, as vice president-elect.
"I also think her history has been hard for many people, especially those who grew up in California. As the attorney general and as a district attorney, she often was tough on crime," Cullors said in a report.
According to Fox News, Biden's camp did not respond to its repeated request for comment on whether they will support the reforms under the new bill.
Biden's transition team has kept its silence about the former vice president's agenda reforms that would affect Black people.
Its senior adviser, Kate Bedingfield, said that Biden would announce his first Cabinet picks on Tuesday, without adding further details.
The BREATHE Act aims to eliminate life sentences, as well as retroactively to erase drug crimes for non-violent criminals.
The act would also shut down and defund multiple federal agencies, as well as close prisons and immigration detention centers, among others.
The bill is also eyeing to end gang databases, create pilot programs for universal basic income, as well as give voting rights and "lifetime education" to all illegal immigrants and incarcerate criminals.
Biden's campaign had made the headlines after partnering with Harris, which would make her the first Black female second in command.
However, Biden has repeatedly faced criticisms from leftists in his party for not acting on reforms such as defunding the police.
It was particularly crucial after months of outrage and protests were seen across the country after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody earlier in May.
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Biden, however, said he would prioritize addressing the country's environmental issues, racial wealth gaps and invest in racial health disparities, among other wide-reaching objectives affecting the Black communities.
His other plans are to invest in affordable housing and homeownership and create small-business opportunities for minority communities.
Meanwhile, Cullors said they tried reaching out to the Biden-Harris team, but they have not heard back.
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