July, 29 2009, 03:27pm EDT
Key House Committee Votes To End Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
Landmark Bill Will Now Head To House Floor
WASHINGTON
The
House Judiciary Committee today voted to pass a bill that would
eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine
sentencing under federal law. Today's vote clears the way for H.R.
3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, to be voted on by
the full House. The bill removes references to "cocaine base" from the
U.S. federal code and takes the welcome step of removing the five-year
mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine.
House Judiciary Committee today voted to pass a bill that would
eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine
sentencing under federal law. Today's vote clears the way for H.R.
3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, to be voted on by
the full House. The bill removes references to "cocaine base" from the
U.S. federal code and takes the welcome step of removing the five-year
mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine.
More
than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now
known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were
adopted. Sentences for crack are currently equivalent to the sentences
for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls
disproportionately on African Americans.
than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now
known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were
adopted. Sentences for crack are currently equivalent to the sentences
for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls
disproportionately on African Americans.
The following can be attributed to Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the ACLU Washington Legislation Office:
"For
over 20 years, the disparity between crack and powder cocaine
sentencing has been a blight on our justice system. Years of medical
and legal research have shown no appreciable difference between crack
and powder cocaine, and no justification for allowing a vast sentencing
gap between them. Policymakers across the ideological spectrum,
including former President George W. Bush, have spoken out against its
inherent injustice. This historic legislation is long overdue.
Congress, today, is one step closer to ending the crack-powder
disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences."
over 20 years, the disparity between crack and powder cocaine
sentencing has been a blight on our justice system. Years of medical
and legal research have shown no appreciable difference between crack
and powder cocaine, and no justification for allowing a vast sentencing
gap between them. Policymakers across the ideological spectrum,
including former President George W. Bush, have spoken out against its
inherent injustice. This historic legislation is long overdue.
Congress, today, is one step closer to ending the crack-powder
disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences."
The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
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