Orrin Hatch: “The American people are demanding that Congress take action against crime. The Senate has acted. We have passed a very…”

“The American people are demanding that Congress take action against crime. The Senate has acted. We have passed a very tough bill. Last week, I wrote a letter to President Clinton urging him to call on the Congress to pass certain key provisions that are currently a part of the Senate crime bill. Last night, the President endorsed one of these measures: the three-time-loser provision. I commend him for this step. Still, I am concerned that without his strong, specific support and leadership on several worthy, tough-on-crime provisions, they will be jettisoned in conference or significantly weakened. Accordingly, I again ask President Clinton to express his support publicly for the following provisions of the Senate-passed crime bill. I am only listing some of them. No. 1, comprehensive Federal death penalty. The President must make it clear that he expects the Congress to pass a true workable death penalty that is free from any gutting amendments, such as the Racial Justice Act, which death penalty opponents may seek to add to the bill. No. 2, death penalty for major drug traffickers.”