Patrick Leahy: “since S. 10 was voted out of the Judiciary Committee almost one year ago, I have spoken on the floor of the Senate and…”

“since S. 10 was voted out of the Judiciary Committee almost one year ago, I have spoken on the floor of the Senate and at hearings on numerous occasions to urge its Republican sponsors to work with me in a bipartisan and open manner to improve this juvenile crime bill. Instead of dialogue, the sponsors of this legislation have played games of ``Hide and Seek'' with the revisions they were making to the bill. I am delighted to see reflected in the brief ``DRAFT'' summary circulated by the sponsors of the bill that they are finally and belatedly making certain changes that they voted down during the Committee's consideration of this bill. The ``devil is in the details'', however, so I and my Democratic colleagues are eager to see the full text of this revised bill. Unfortunately, the sponsors of this bill were not willing to work with me last year when we would have had a much better chance of moving this important legislation. Now, as we head toward the end of this Congress and still face a number of vital appropriations matters to consider, time is running out to complete action on a juvenile crime bill. Those who will suffer from the dilatory manner in which this bill was handled are the children of this country and America's law enforcement officers and prosecutors who are eager for the additional resources available in this bill.”