Carrie Meek: “the moment of truth has finally arrived. During the course of the last several months we have heard much tough talk and…”

“the moment of truth has finally arrived. During the course of the last several months we have heard much tough talk and posturing about getting tough on crime, lock' em up and throwing away the key, and ``three strikes and you're out.'' Yesterday, the House began debate on a Democratic-backed omnibus crime bill that by any set of standards is both far reaching and tough. And many of my colleagues can't stand it. Right or wrong, this crime bill makes 66 new crimes punishable by the death penalty. It includes the three strikes language. It includes $3 billion for new prison construction that will put bars between criminals and our families. In short, this bill makes sure that those who do the crime will do the time. Now that the moment of truth is here and the Democrats have produced a tough crime bill. We cant expect many of our colleagues to launch a series of barrages, distortions, and half-truths. All of this from the same people who say, on the one hand, that they're tough on crime, but are against a 5-day waiting period. The same people who say they are against crime but are also against a ban on assault weapons used in drive-by shootings and other random acts of violence. Mr. Speaker, the American people want action and they want it now. They are sick of finger pointing. Much of what we have done in the past did not work, Mr. Speaker. Let us pass a crime bill that works. Let us try some new approaches.”