[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   THE CRIME BILL NEEDS TRUTH IN LEGISLATING AS MUCH AS IN SENTENCING

  (Mr. HORN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, crime has become the most important issue to 
Americans today.
  The Democratic majority has told us that we will debate a tough 
anticrime package this afternoon to help ease their concerns.
  However, the truth is that anything considered remotely tough has 
been thrown out.
  The American people need to know what the Democratic majority will 
not allow on the House floor for real debate, much less an honest 
vote--without a phony king of the hill procedure which chokes off 
democracy in this House.
  An amendment to limit the endless appeal process for prisoners on 
death row, making it more effective.
  Pre-trial detention, to keep two-time felons off the street while 
they are awaiting trial.
  A truth-in-sentencing requirement at the State level to make sure 
that felons are serving at least 85 percent of their sentences.
  A meaningful ``three strikes and you're out,'' with no loopholes to 
let criminals escape life sentences because of technicalities.
  A vote on the exclusionery rule which would provide a good faith 
exception standard to permit evidence to be introduced in court.
  Mr. Speaker, the arrogance of the Democratic majority has cost this 
legislation the teeth it needed to protect our citizens.
  And as crime continues to escalate, it is inevitable that Congress 
will have to return here, to the scene of the crime, where we failed to 
do what the American people expected us to do in the first place.

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