The U.S. House of Representatives did what it often does these days on June 25 and 26, passing mostly symbolic bills that have no chance of being taken up by the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate or signed by the President. Hudson Valley Democrats Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko, and Sean Maloney voted for both the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act" and the Washington, D.C. Admission Act while Republican Elise Stefanik voted against both measures. The police reform bill passed 236 to 181, and differed from the Republican-sponsored bill that failed in the Senate earlier in the week with actual mandates rather than suggestions for changes in law enforcement. All the Hudson Valley representatives voted the same way on the act that would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state, which passed 232-180. And while both these bills will die here now, they will be revived in January, Democrats promise, if Joe Biden is elected and control of the Senate flips in November's election. Demonstrations on the police reform issue continue in the Hudson Valley this weekend. On Satuday, June 27, there are protests in Albany, Schenectady, Rosendale, Monticello, and Putnam County. On Sunday, June 28, there are events in Rensselaer, Newburgh, Woodstock, and Ellenville. At 6 p.m. on June 28, Poughkeepsie holds a "Special City Council Meeting on Police Reform." Anyone can register for the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mkLiZ14PQqOTSs7HiiC5qA and to comment during the meeting send an email to: ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com to reserve three minutes of speaking time.