McConnell speeds up police bill, challenging Democrats

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW: Democrats have made it clear they believe that President DONALD TRUMP’S executive order is weak, and many have preemptively pegged SCOTT’S bill as not going far enough.

BUT THEIR NEXT STEP is a bit trickier. Can they refuse MCCONNELL the ability to consider SCOTT’S bill, handing the GOP a convenient talking point that it was the Democrats who blocked police reform in the Senate? That seems risky, given the national climate.

DEMOCRATS COULD allow the chamber to debate SCOTT’S bill, and try to amend it. This would be the legislative process working. Democrats could force some tough votes for the GOP, and vice versa. There is a narrow, treacherous and uncertain path to a deal that could move a bill through the Senate.