[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ASHCROFT:
  S. 587. A bill to provide for the mandatory suspension of Federal 
benefits to convicted drug traffickers, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.


          no federal benefits for drug traffickers act of 1999

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, the time for mixed messages in our war 
against drugs has passed. There was a time when our message on illegal 
drugs was crystal clear. ``Just say no.'' The results of that simple 
message were also clear: The decade of the 1980's saw substantial and 
persistent decreases in the level of drug use, and in the level of 
teenage drug use in particular. Sadly, however, the current 
Administration has offered America and its children a mixed message on 
drugs.
  The President himself has shifted the message from ``just say no'' to 
``just don't inhale.'' Even the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency 
candidly has admitted that in the current climate we lack the will to 
win the war against drugs. This is intolerable. We must return to a 
clear message in the war against drugs--a message of zero tolerance for 
those who would attempt to ruin our children's lives through the 
scourge of illegal drugs. The government must speak clearly and 
unequivocally. Trafficking in illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
  However, we will not succeed in convincing either drug dealers or our 
children that we are serious about the war on drugs if we send them 
mixed messages. One mixed message sent by current law is that convicted 
drug dealers remain eligible for federal government benefits. We need 
to change that practice.
  Mr. President, the bill I introduce today, the ``No Federal Benefits 
for Drug Traffickers Act'' requires the suspension of federal benefits 
to convicted drug traffickers. This bill will send a clear message that 
we mean what we say in the war against drugs. Current federal law 
provides for the denial of federal benefits (excluding certain programs 
like food stamps, aid to families with dependent children, and approved 
drug treatment programs) for individuals convicted of drug trafficking 
offenses. Unfortunately, however, the law gives judges unlimited 
discretion to decide whether or not to suspend a convicted drug 
trafficker's federal benefits. For example, under current law a repeat 
offender could retain his full federal benefits.
  The ``No Federal Benefits for Drug Traffickers Act'' addresses this 
loophole in the current law by mandating the suspension of a convicted 
drug trafficker's federal benefits for at least a minimum period of 
time. Specifically, the bill requires the suspension of a convicted 
drug offender's federal benefits for a minimum of one year. The bill 
also mandates suspension of benefits for at least three years upon a 
second conviction.
  In addition, the bill closes a loophole that allowed drug trafficker 
who were supposed to be barred from receiving federal benefits for life 
because of three separate drug trafficking convictions to regain their 
eligibility for federal benefits. Once again we need to make our 
message clear and unmistakable. Under the bill I introduce today, life 
means life and it is truly three strikes and you're out.
  This is what we need in the war against drugs--a clear message. Those 
who choose to traffic in drugs have no legitimate claim to federal 
benefits. This is common sense. There is no need for exceptions or 
discretion. There is a need for clarity, and this bill provides that 
clarity.
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