Tom Udall: “thank you for the recognition. Mr. President, I reserve my right to object. As a former assistant U.S. attorney and New…”

“thank you for the recognition. Mr. President, I reserve my right to object. As a former assistant U.S. attorney and New Mexico attorney general, I worked hard to prosecute violent crimes, including those committed against law enforcement. The recent shootings of two law enforcement officers in California were heinous. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the officers and their families. The perpetrator must be brought to justice. All such violence is appalling. However, this bill is both unnecessary and, potentially, a problematic expansion of Federal criminal law. It is already a Federal crime to kill or attempt to kill an officer or employee of the United States. Most, if not all, States already make killing a police officer a specific crime, and, of course, murder and assault are crimes in all 50 States and Territories So it is unclear that this bill will increase deterrence, and the bill is very broad, covering not only murder and attempted murder but also any assault against hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of people. One new crime created by the bill is death eligible, raising historic concerns about executing the innocent and the death penalty being arbitrarily applied. This bill has not gone through the regular order, with no hearings on such a sweeping change in the balance of State and Federal criminal law.…”