Grassley Leads Colleagues In Package To Bolster Violent Crime Statutes
Republicans lead as crime wave sweeps the nation
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee
Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), today led 24 Republican colleagues in
introducing a broad package to clarify and strengthen violent crime laws related
to homicide, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and other offenses. The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act
resolves discrepancies brought on by conflicting court decisions and clarifies
congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and their respective
penalties. Despite an ongoing crime wave, no Democrats have agreed to cosponsor
the fixes.
“Crime is skyrocketing in communities across the country.
Carjackings, homicides, attacks on law enforcement are all up. We have a duty
to ensure that penalties for federal offenses serve as a deterrent and that any
ambiguity from split court decisions is rectified so that perpetrators can be
held accountable. This bill includes a number of small fixes that will go a
long way in improving justice and preventing future crimes. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have bipartisan
support to advance these modest, but meaningful, reforms. American communities
are suffering under a scourge of lawlessness, so I hope we get some cooperation
soon and I’ll keep reaching across the aisle to get it,” Grassley said.
Many
communities across the country continue to experience steadily increasing
violent crime. Murder rates increased 30 percent in 2020 and continued climbing
in 2021. Carjackings, particularly in urban areas are on the rise, with some
cities recording up to 400 percent spikes. Overdose deaths surpassed 100,000
last year, with fentanyl appearing in a variety of substances, including
candy-flavored drugs that are marketed to children. 2021 marked the deadliest
year for law enforcement since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act addresses
ambiguity and conflicting application of existing law by clarifying
congressional intent without establishing sweeping new offense categories. Among
other provisions, the bill:
·
Clarifies
that attempted bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery are
punishable under the current bank robbery statute;
·
Abolishes
an outdated rule that prohibits perpetrators of violent crime from being
charged with murder if the victim succumbs to injuries sustained by that
violent crime 366 days after the attack;
·
Rectifies
conflicting circuit court decisions that have resulted in a higher burden to
charge offenses like assaulting a police officer than Congress intended;
·
Increases
the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking and removes a duplicative intent requirement
needed to charge a carjacking offense;
·
Rectifies
conflicting circuit court decisions by clarifying that an attempt or conspiracy
to commit an offence involving physical force meets the legal definition of a
crime of violence;
·
Outlaws
the marketing of candy-flavored drugs to minors; and
·
Establishes
a new category of violent kidnapping offences, allowing for greater penalties
for violent kidnapping.
“NDAA is excited to endorse the Combating Violence and Dangerous Crime
Act, an important effort to fix criminal provisions in Title 18 of the Federal
Code which ensures prosecutors have the tools needed to hold bad actors
accountable. We look forward to working alongside the Senate Judiciary
Committee to adopt these commonsense measures to improve public safety,”
said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys
Association
“This legislation brings
clarity to many areas in the law currently impacted by circuit splits. This
clarity will enhance the rule of law by creating consistency in criminal
enforcement. As violent crime continues to rise in major cities, this
legislation will also increase successful prosecutions and deter offenses like
bank robbery, carjackings, and kidnappings. This bill also addresses our
nation’s ongoing drug overdose epidemic and seeks to protect our nation’s most
vulnerable citizens: children. NAAUSA fully supports this legislation and
appreciates Senator Grassley for leading on these issues,” said Steve Wasserman, National President of the National Association of
Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA).
“At this moment in history,
when violent crime is exploding, the Sheriffs stand with Senator Grassley in
supporting his Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act. It is critical that our federal partners have
the tools they need to prosecute and incarcerate the most dangerous criminals
in America,” said Sheriff Jim Skinner,
Chairman, Government Affairs Committee, National Sheriffs Association.
“The Major County Sheriffs of
America is pleased to support this bill which would clarify and strengthen
federal law related to certain violent crimes including carjacking, help
safeguard children from dangerous drugs, and protect federal law enforcement
officers. We applaud Senator Grassley for this effort to ensure federal law
provides tools to deter and punish violent crime,” said the Major County Sheriffs of America.
“The Major Cities Chiefs
Association member agencies continue to respond to increased violent crime in
their jurisdictions. The Combatting
Violent and Dangerous Crime Act will provide law enforcement with
additional tools to hold these violent offenders accountable by addressing
circuit court splits, closing loopholes in the law, and updating outdated
statutes. The MCCA thanks Sen. Grassley for introducing this legislation and
his continued support for law enforcement,” said Jeri Williams, Chief, Phoenix Police Department and President,
Major Cities Chiefs Association.
Along
with Grassley, the bill is cosponsored by Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune
(R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas),
Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton
(R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.),
Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Susan Collins (R-Maine),
Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben
Sasse (R-Neb.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah),
Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act
·
Summary
At
Grassley’s request, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing this week on the rise in violence targeting
law enforcement officers. Iowan Zach Andersen, of Cedar Falls, testified about witnessing a fatal
ambush on Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith last year, and the need to support
and protect law enforcement.
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