Steve Largent: “I think that is plenty of time. If we debate it another 4 years, that will be about the average time that a convicted…”

“I think that is plenty of time. If we debate it another 4 years, that will be about the average time that a convicted murderer sits on death row before his sentence is executed, if that occurs in that amount of time, 14 years. Mr. Chairman, I came to Washington to shape legislation to reflect a reliable sense of right and wrong. But when murderers who rape or kidnap their victims are convicted and sentenced to death, it is wrong to delay their sentence year in and year out with appeals challenging the constitutionality of their conviction. It is not uncommon, as I mentioned before, for criminals to be clothed, fed, and housed for 14 years while their habeas appeals are considered. Put yourself in the place of a parent of a murdered child. That parent must deal with the pain and the loss, and know full well that their child's killer is escaping the sentence decided by a fair jury. This is cruel and unusual punishment. Habeas corpus reform contained in this bill limits the number and purposes of habeas petitions, and it is the right thing to do.”