Philonise Floyd testified in front of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday just a day after burying his bother George, who died at the hands of police.

"I'm here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain," an emotional Philonise Floyd told lawmakers in a hushed hearing room.

Civil rights and law enforcement leaders also delivered testimony at the hearing to push for the overhaul of police practices and accountability.

Both Republicans and Democrats called for the creation of a national registry to record police misconduct and block those officers who have committed wrongdoing from transferring between departments. In addition, lawmakers want to see increased use of police body cameras and an end to no-knock warrants.

But Republicans criticized efforts by activists to "defund the police."

In Minneapolis, Police Department Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Wednesday the city's police department will stop contract negotiations with its police union. He is looking for transformational reforms to the agency.

"We will have a police department that our communities view as legitimate, trusting and working with their best interests at heart," he said during a news conference.

For the past two weeks, there have been protests across the country following the death of George Floyd. The large gatherings have also raised concerns among health experts and state officials about the risks of spreading the coronavirus as the U.S. begins to slowly reopen.

As of Wednesday, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is approaching 2 million.

The stay-at-home order in Virginia expires Wednesday. The state will move to the next phase of reopening on Friday.

Restaurants will be allowed to serve indoor dining at 50% capacity. Gyms and fitness centers will be able to give indoor classes at 30% capacity. Gatherings up to 50 people will be permitted. The state governor also plans to reopen schools in the fall. In the next phase, face masks will be recommended, but not required, if residents and businesses follow social distancing rules and restrictions.

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