New York, N.Y. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement on the New York City Police Department Commissioner's decision to fire the officer responsible for Eric Garner's death: 

"The justice system and Department of Justice have failed Eric Garner and his family. It is long past time for the officer who caused Eric Garner's death to be held accountable by some measure. As I've said before, the footage of Eric Garner's death is clear. The officer in the case used an illegal chokehold on Garner that was banned by the NYPD. Firing him was the right thing to do, but it should not have taken so many years for such a limited measure of justice. The House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings and consider legislation this Congress to strengthen police-community relations. We must continue to work at every level of government, within our local police departments and on the ground in our communities to ensure positive change."