[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 171 (Monday, December 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S10807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS FOR STATE SENTENCING COMMISSIONS ACT 
                                OF 2010

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6412 and the 
Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 6412) to amend title 28, United States Code, 
     to require the Attorney General to share criminal records 
     with State sentencing commissions, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate will pass a measure to 
help State sentencing commissions make responsible decisions. The 
legislation we pass today will give State sentencing commissions, like 
that in Vermont, access to criminal history data in the possession of 
the Attorney General. This will facilitate the study of recidivism 
rates and other important factors affecting public safety.
  We all want to reduce crime and keep our neighborhoods safe, and, in 
these hard fiscal times, we must do so effectively and efficiently. It 
is important for State sentencing commissions to have access to data so 
they can properly study aggravating and mitigating factors in criminal 
cases and in return, better inform policy makers. This bill will help 
ensure that sentencing decisions are data-driven, using the best 
possible universe of information.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read a third time and passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate; and that any statements 
relating to the bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 6412) was ordered to a third reading, was read the 
third time, and passed.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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