Robert Dornan: “I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4092, the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1994. This legislation will do absolutely…”

“I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4092, the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1994. This legislation will do absolutely nothing to deter violent crime in America. In all likelihood, passage of this legislation will put American citizens in greater harm of being victimized by dangerous street thugs. In fact, the crime bill is aptly named, because what the Democrats have done to it is a crime. And Bill Clinton's fingerprints are all over it. It is no wonder the American people are angry and frustrated with the violent crime that is gripping our Nation. While the population of the United States increased 44 percent since 1960, violent crime has increased by more than 500 percent. And since the early 1950's, the expected punishment for committing a serious crime in the United States has been reduced by two-thirds. Yet over that same period, the total number of serious crimes has increased sevenfold. In addition, more than half of all violent criminals are put back on the streets while awaiting trial. Of those, 20 percent escape and 16 percent commit another crime. And for every 100 serious crimes committed, only 5 criminals go to jail. Why has the crime rate exploded over the last three decades? Because we have allowed sociologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to explain and excuse criminal behavior, so the punishment rarely fits the crime.”