Pelosi: Democrats have a 'better chance' of passing 'police brutality' bills now than ever before

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that House and Senate Democrats will put forth a legislative package in the next few days that addresses "police brutality" and "law enforcement disparity." 

The California Democrat argued that Congress has a greater likelihood of passing such legislation in the aftermath of George Floyd's recent death – compared to previous efforts following similar incidents. 

"Many of these bills have been in the hopper," she said during a press conference. "But now, with all the public exposure of it, we have a better chance of getting them turned into law. It is a moment."

Pelosi said the legislative package will be "very comprehensive" and suggested specifics will be announced Monday.

"This something completely different," Pelosi said of Floyd's death May 25 after he was arrested by Minneapolis police officers, including one who kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

"We have reached, as people say, an inflection point. This was a tinderbox. It has changed everything. This one death, as sad as it is and as dignified and inspiring as George Floyd's family has been, it's also part of a pattern and a series of injustices," she said. "People have just decided they were turning out and they're not going away until they see the change that they want."

Pelosi hopes there will be "bipartisan cooperation" on the police brutality package the Democrats plan to unveil.

"In a matter of months we'll be able to make a complete difference," she said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he agreed with Pelosi's comments, adding that he wants to see policing legislation passed before July 4.

"I am hopeful, as Nancy said, public sentiment is everything," the New York Democrat said. 

Schumer predicted that the protests and the "public outcry" for action will "force Republicans senators" to pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the GOP-controlled chamber, to support whatever policing bill the Democratic-led House passes.

"I'm hopeful we can get that done," he said.