[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 48 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       UNANIMOUS CONSENT--S. 625

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, earlier this month, Attorney General 
Ashcroft announced that the defendant in the case where two women were 
killed in the Shenandoah National Park will be tried using the Hate 
Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act. This is the first time in the 
history of our country that a Federal murder prosecution will use this 
provision of the law.
  At his press conference announcing the indictments, Attorney General 
Ashcroft said:

       Criminal acts of hate run counter to what is best in 
     America--our belief in equality and freedom.

  He was absolutely right. Americans know that hate crimes injure the 
victim, the community, and the entire Nation. No one should be attacked 
simply because of his or her race, religion, gender, physical 
abilities, or sexual orientation.
  As Senator Edward Kennedy has said, until we pass the hate crimes 
legislation pending before Congress, the promise to aggressively 
prosecute hate crimes is really an empty promise.
  For many years now, we have attempted to pass the hate crimes 
legislation that Senator Kennedy and others have introduced. In the 
fall of 2000, this same bill passed the Senate as an amendment on the 
Department of Defense authorizations bill. However, despite strong 
bicameral, bipartisan support, it was stripped out of the conference 
report, as happens a lot of times.
  The need is clear. The support is there. It is time to finish the job 
we started 2 years ago and pass the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement 
Act, and pass it quickly.
  Therefore, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority 
leader, after consultation with the Republican leader, may turn to the 
consideration of S. 625, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, and 
that it be considered under the following limitations: There be 4 hours 
for debate on the bill, equally divided between the chairman and 
ranking member of the Judiciary Committee; that each leader, or their 
designee, be permitted to offer two relevant first-degree amendments; 
that there be a time limitation of 1 hour for debate on each first-
degree amendment; that no second-degree amendments be in order prior to 
a failed motion to table; that if a second-degree amendment is offered, 
it be relevant to the first degree and be limited to 30 minutes for 
debate; that upon the disposition of the amendments, and the use or 
yielding back of the time on the bill, the bill be read a third time, 
and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, without any intervening 
action or debate.
  Prior to putting this to the Senate, I simply say, we are going to 
continually offer this unanimous consent request. This unanimous 
consent request tonight is not going to be approved tonight, and that 
is too bad. I wish it could be. We need to move this legislation. It is 
priority legislation for the Senate and, therefore, for this country.
  Now, Mr. President, on behalf of the minority, the Republicans, I 
object. I explained to them I was going to move this forward. As you 
know, we have worked very long and hard on a number of different 
matters, and I indicated that it would not be necessary for a Senator 
to remain to simply object, as I have. But I do say that I am 
tremendously disappointed that I have to object on behalf of the 
minority. It is too bad. But we will revisit this in the near future.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

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