Joe Biden: “I rise this morning to begin speaking on the issue of crime and justice in America and the Democratic crime bill, the…”

“I rise this morning to begin speaking on the issue of crime and justice in America and the Democratic crime bill, the Clinton crime bill that was passed last year, and the proposals to change that crime bill. I realize there is sort of a frenzy underway here where, to use the old expression, the freight train is rolling down the tracks, the contract is underway, and we are in a great hurry to change everything here. I am going to spend a half hour or so this morning, and then future mornings, as we approach the debate on the Senate floor on the changes in the Biden crime--in the crime bill, and try to lay out some of at least what I see to be the facts. Last year, Congress completed a 6-year effort and enacted a major anticrime law in which the Federal Government launched a bold and multifaceted attack on violent crime and its roots back in our communities, not here at the national level. For the first time, the Federal Government made major commitments to help States and localities, the places where 95 percent of all the crimes are committed and all the crimes are prosecuted.”