On the recordJanuary 26, 1994
On January 24, Mr. Speaker, the Washington Post front page story reported on the popularity of the three-time-loser laws against violent repeat offender criminals. Thirty State legislatures are considering the sensible idea that a third-time violent felon should be jailed for life, and Governors, such as California's Pete Wilson and New York's Mario Cuomo agree. Yet, Mr. Speaker, that very same paper on that same day reported that my 'three strikes and you're out' lifer bill, which has been in the House for the last year and a half to 2 years, faces a very difficult time in the House of Representatives. Why? I do not know. The President of the United States just last night endorsed the concept. One hundred eighty-seven Members have cosponsored my bill. I ask, 'Don't my other colleagues know that 6 percent of violent criminals commit 70 percent of all violent crime? Doesn't it make sense to lock up the worst of the people in our society forever?' Mr. Speaker, I think it does make sense. It is something we must do so that our families can walk their neighborhoods and their streets without fear. Let us stop making excuses and posturing politically. Let us pass a lifer bill, a meaningful lifer bill, now.
