San Antonio Express-News: 'The verdict he deserved': Texas lawmakers react to Chauvin's conviction

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, tweeted that "nothing will give George Floyd his life back," but called the conviction "a step forward for justice in policing in America."

The verdict came as discussion was beginning again in Washington about passing legislation aimed at curbing police violence.

"We're going to stay at it until we get it done," President Joe Biden told the Floyd family in a phone call after the verdict was read, video of which the family's attorney posted online.

Biden told the family he thought of George Floyd's 7-year-old daughter's comment that "my daddy's going to change the world."

"He's going to start to change it now," Biden said, telling the family, "you've been incredible, you're an incredible family."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday afternoon that Democrats are looking for "areas of agreement" with the Senate on legislation the House passed last year that would ban choke holds and no-knock search warrants in drug cases, bolster the Justice Department's authority to crack down on misconduct and chip away at some of officers' legal protections when they are sued in civil court, among other things.

"Unless we can change the law, this will be an episode," Pelosi said. "If we change the law, we're going down a different path all together."

President Joe Biden

Biden told the family he thought of George Floyd's 7-year-old daughter's comment that "my daddy's going to change the world."

"He's going to start to change it now," Biden told the Floyd family in a phone call after the verdict. "We're going to stay at it until we get it done."

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston

"This has given hope to Black American people of color that police are there to protect and serve and they are there to enhance police community relationships … It also says that if you commit a murder, no matter who you are, you have to be held accountable."

U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston

"I don't think they know — nor do we know —how significant that verdict is and how it's going to impact time beyond this time," Green said of the jury that delivered the verdict. "I think this was a seminal moment, and I think they rose to the occasion and they have given us reason to have hope … I do see some change taking place. There was a time when we wouldn't get the verdict we have received. I think that this sends a message to the nation."

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio

"Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd while hiding behind the badge. Today he got the verdict he deserved."

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas

"This verdict is not justice — it's accountability. Justice is George Floyd still being alive today, raising his children and spending time with his family. I hope that they can find peace knowing that his life inspired a generation, sparked a movement, and changed the world."

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio

"Full justice would mean that George Floyd was still with us. But today's guilty verdict represents a historic step toward justice and for his family. So important now for the Senate to approve the House George Floyd Justice in Policing Act."

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth

"While the verdict marks a turning point in holding police accountable, there is still so much work to be done in the fight for justice for the countless Black and Brown people who have been killed by police. We must remain dedicated to pushing for critical reforms needed to address systemic racism and protect the lives of Black and Brown people across our country.