[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 77 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   REMARKS REGARDING THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON THE RACIAL 
                              JUSTICE ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 1994

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, although some Members of the House sought 
to portray yesterday's vote on the motion to instruct the conferees not 
to include the Racial Justice Act in the final crime bill as up or down 
vote on the Racial Justice Act, many Members, myself included, viewed 
the motion as a vote on the retroactive application of the act. The 
version of the Racial Justice Act passed by the House and included in 
the House crime bill includes a retroactivity provision.
  During the floor debate on the Racial Justice Act, I stated that I 
intended to work to strike retroactivity at conference. In keeping with 
that position, I supported the motion to instruct the conferees not to 
include the Racial Justice Act as passed by the House, not because I 
oppose the Racial Justice Act, but because the motion was really a vote 
on the retroactive application of the act. I support the Racial Justice 
Act and I intend to work at conference to create better, more tightly 
drawn, nonretroactive provision prohibiting the discriminatory 
application of the death penalty.

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