John Conyers

I want to associate myself with the remarks of the Ranking Member of this Committee, the parts that I understood, because this is a very complex subject.

We need to do more to protect consumers and competition.

I commend and support the Dodd-Frank bill--law.

This is the third mandatory minimum we have considered in a month.

Mandatory minimum sentences, based merely on the name of a crime, remove sentencing discretion from the judge.

I cannot support an effort that seeks to stop one injustice by applying another.

We are trying to increase the penalties so that that will be a larger deterrent, but we will be transferring that judgment to the courts and not to Members of Congress.

I know three people on this Committee, and the Chairman from Pennsylvania may make the fourth, we are all against mandatory minimums for the reasons that Ranking Member Scott just went through.

I got two officials from IRS here and a classic victim. Can't we do something with Robinson immediately?

We are talking about lengthening the time, the sentencing, increasing the period of incarceration when you are caught as a replacement to mandatory minimums.

Well, that is not enough. I mean, I am going to take it back to them. You don't have to worry about you taking it back to them because I want this--I want to get this accomplished.

Identity theft and income tax preparation fraud are serious problems.

Identity fraud is a costly problem that affects many Americans.

We spend huge amounts of resources, and the rate of illegal drug activity continues at about the same pace.

I appreciate your announcing that there will be continued hearings about DEA and its role.

It is important to figure out how we can minimize this criminalization and punishment concept by replacing it with health and treatment services.

I have no problem with holding another hearing or as many hearings as necessary.

With six Members here, and probably more to come, under the 5-minute rule, there is no way she can ever get to any kind of a cogent response to the issues that were raised, some of which are very serious.

I think the beginning of this discussion on the part of the Subcommittee on Crime can be one of the most important contributions that the House Judiciary Committee can make on the subject of the American criminal justice system.

This is a very important hearing, and there are new services being offered online and through smartphones and other devices that largely depend on the continued gathering and use of personal information which is ultimately turned into a…

I think that the previous questioning was the first note of hostility and interruption of the witness...

I think we repealed the assault weapon ban, and that has led to a proliferation of weapons that I think we need to take another look at here in our Legislature.

The Department has aggressively enforced section 5, which ensures that States with a history of discrimination can't create additional barriers to minority access to the ballot box.

I want to thank you for your patience and diligence.

I will be going over his statements and help him arrive at a more factual and impartial conclusion.