A brother of George Floyd, the black man killed by police in Minneapolis, told Congress on Wednesday to "stop the pain" and ensure that the death of his brother will not just remain a statistic on people by law enforcers.

Philonise Floyd's appearance before a House hearing came a day after funeral services for his brother, and as anti-racist protests continue to rock the U.S.

"I'm here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain," Philonise told the silenced hearing room.

"The people marching in the streets are telling you enough is enough. Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs. Do the right thing."

George Floyd died on 25 May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes as he and his colleagues arrested him.

An onlooker's cell phone recorded the incident showing the 46-year-old black man moaning, "Please, I can't breathe" and "Don't kill me" as the police officer pressed his knee onto Floyd's neck.

After several minutes of the police officer pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck, the victim went silent and was later pronounced dead.

The video quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread protest from Tuesday afternoon, some of which have deteriorated into chaos.

In the two weeks since his death, protests have spilled beyond the U.S. as countries across the world show solidarity with the demonstrators seeking justice for Floyd's family.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler gaveled in Wednesday's Congress session as Democrats review the Justice in Policing Act, a far-ranging package of proposals amid a national debate on policing and racial inequity in the United States.

"Today we answer their call," Nadler said.

Lawmakers will also hear testimony from civil rights and law enforcement leaders at the congressional hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability after the Minnesota man’s death in police custody and the worldwide protests that followed.