Russ Feingold: “In recent days, Congress has held hearings and considered legislation on the terrible tragedy involving potentially…”

“In recent days, Congress has held hearings and considered legislation on the terrible tragedy involving potentially defective tires manufactured by Bridgestone/Firestone and placed on certain vehicles sold by the Ford Motor Company. It has captured the nation's and the media's attention. And rightly so. I hope we are able to get to the bottom of who knew what, when, why and how. But while Congress demands accountability from these companies, as well as the Transportation Department, Congress should also demand accountability from the Justice Department. As the Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on the Firestone tire problem the other day, a few blocks down the road the Justice Department released a report that seriously calls into question the fairness of the federal death penalty system. The report documents apparent racial and geographic disparities in the administration of the federal death penalty. In other words, who lives and who dies, and who is charged, tried, convicted and sentenced to death in the federal system appears to relate arbitrarily to the color of one's skin or where one lives. The report can be read as a chilling indictment of our federal criminal justice system. I introduced legislation earlier this year calling for a national moratorium on executions and the creation of a commission to review the fairness of the administration of the death penalty at the state and federal levels.”