Political Quotes

“Madam President, there are reports that after we return from either this break or the next, the Senate may take up the so- called Fair Sentencing Act, so I rise today to start discussing this bill with my colleagues, particularly those who do not serve with me on the Judiciary Committee. Over the past 30 years, this Nation has achieved tremendous success in cutting crime. There are fewer victims who suffer fewer physical and financial injuries. Neighborhood safety has improved, reducing fear and helping economic growth. These gains have been hard won. Congress played a major role, enacting mandatory sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimum sentences, providing assistance to law enforcement, and building more prisons. The mandatory guidelines, combined with abolishing parole, led to lengthier sentences, and what is fair about it all is that we have fewer disparities in sentencing. No longer would the sentence depend on whether the criminal faced a tough or a lenient judge, and factors such as the defendant's race and income could not be taken into account. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court, applying novel readings of the Constitution, struck down mandatory sentencing guidelines. As a result, Federal judges are departing downward from the guidelines, issuing shorter sentences and injecting more disparity into the system. States are reducing their incarceration rates. While there are probably multiple contributing factors, crime rates recently have been rising.…”