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Ted Deutch on Crime

 

 


Harsher sentencing for "pill mill" operators.

Deutch signed Pill Mill Crackdown Act

    The Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011: Amends the Controlled Substances Act to:
  1. double the term of imprisonment and triple the fine for the prohibited distribution of a schedule II or schedule III controlled substance by the operator of a pill mill,
  2. increase the penalties for such operator distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 21 from twice to thrice the maximum punishment or term of supervised release authorized, and
  3. exclude such operator distribution from the applicability of provisions authorizing an alternative fine of not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived by a defendant from a drug offense.
      Expresses the sense of Congress that such prohibited operator distribution is a violation for which certain property is subject to forfeiture.
      • Requires the proceeds from disposition of such property to be used for controlled substance monitoring programs in the states and for block grants to states for community mental health services and for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
      • Changes the classification of specified quantities of dihydrocodeinone from a schedule III to a schedule II controlled substance.
      Source: H.R.1065 11-HR1065 on Mar 14, 2011

      Provide defense lawyers for all indigent defendants.

      Deutch sponsored House Resolution on court policy

        Congressional RESOLUTION supporting the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution, the right to counsel.
      • WHEREAS on March 18, 1963, the Supreme Court recognized in Gideon v. Wainwright that counsel must be provided to indigent defendants in all felony cases;
      • WHEREAS the Supreme Court held that providing counsel to indigent defendants in all felony cases meets the essential requirements of the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution; and
      • WHEREAS the Supreme Court held in Argersinger v. Hamlin that absent a knowing and intelligent waiver, no person may be imprisoned for any offense, whether classified as petty, misdemeanor, or felony, unless they were represented by counsel at their trial:
        Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives--
      1. supports the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution, the right to counsel; and
      2. supports strategies to improve the criminal justice system to ensure that indigent defendants in all felony cases are ade
        Source: H.RES.196 13-HRes196 on May 3, 2013

        First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.

        Deutch voted YEA First Step Act

        Congressional Summary:

        • TITLE I--RECIDIVISM REDUCTION: establish a risk and needs assessment system to evaluate the recidivism risk of prisoners; to guide housing assignments; and to reward participation in recidivism reduction programs.
        • TITLE II--BUREAU OF PRISONS SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE: allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison.
        • TITLE III--RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT PRISONERS PROHIBITED: limits the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery.
        • TITLE IV--SENTENCING REFORM: reduces the enhanced mandatory minimum prison terms for certain repeat drug offenses.

        Opposing press release from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1):: The reform sentencing laws in this bill may compromise the safety of our communities. Criminals convicted of violent crimes would have the opportunity to achieve 'low risk' status and become eligible for early release. California already has similar laws in place--Propositions 47 and 57--which have hamstrung law enforcement and caused a significant uptick in crime.

        Supporting press release from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10):: S. 756 establishes a new system to reduce the risk that [federal prisoners] will commit crimes once they are released. Critically, S. 756 would not only implement these reforms to our prison system, but it also takes a crucial first step toward addressing grave concerns about our sentencing laws, which have for years fed a national crisis of mass incarceration. The bill is a 'first step' that demonstrates that we can work together to make the system fairer in ways that will also reduce crime and victimization.

        Legislative outcome: Concurrence Passed Senate, 87-12-1, on Dec. 18, 2018; Concurrence Passed House 358-36-28, Dec. 20, 2018; President Trump signed, Dec. 21, 2018

        Source: Congressional vote 18-S756 on Dec 20, 2018

        Rated 62% by the NAPO, indicating a moderate stance on police issues.

        Deutch scores 62% by the NAPO on crime & police issues

        Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.

        "Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation’s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO’s accomplishments:

        • Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
        • Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
        • Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
        • Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
        • Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)

        VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:

        • 0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
        • 50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
        • 75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.
        Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014

        Sponsored stricter rules for police accountability.

        Deutch co-sponsored George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

        This bill addresses policing practices and law enforcement accountability:

        • lowers the criminal intent standard--from willful to knowing or reckless--to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution,
        • limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and
        • grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations.

        Rep. Elise Stefanik in OPPOSITION (3/1/21): I voted against H.R. 1280--this bill poses a grave danger to law-abiding police officers, as it would eliminate qualified immunity protections, lower the standard for federal civil rights lawsuits, and limit access to necessary equipment during emergencies and natural disasters. Democrats rushed this bill to the House Floor without accepting any input from Republicans, expert testimony, or significant data. I am proud to sponsor the JUSTICE Act with Senator Tim Scott, to provide necessary reforms to end police brutality while protecting our law-abiding officers.

        OnTheIssues explanation of "qualified immunity": "Qualified immunity" means that police officers (and other government officials) cannot be sued for actions on duty, unless knowingly taking unreasonable actions. This bill would limit "qualified immunity," which means the family in cases like George Floyd's could sue the police for civil damages.

        Biden Administration in SUPPORT (3/1/21): We must begin by rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the people they are entrusted to serve and protect. We cannot rebuild that trust if we do not hold police officers accountable for abuses of power and tackle systemic misconduct--and systemic racism--in police departments.

        Legislative Outcome: Passed House 220-212-0 on March 3, 2021, rollcall #60; received in Senate on March 9; no further Senate action during 2021.

        Source: H.R.1280 21-HR1280 on Feb 24, 2021

        2021-22 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Crime: Ted Deutch on other issues:
        FL Gubernatorial:
        Adam Putnam
        Alexander Snitker
        Andrew Gillum
        Annette Taddeo
        Bill Nelson
        Charlie Crist
        Gwen Graham
        Nikki Fried
        Philip Levine
        Rick Scott
        Ron DeSantis
        Wayne Messam
        FL Senatorial:
        Bill Nelson
        Carlos Lopez-Cantera
        Charlie Crist
        David Jolly
        Edward Janowski
        Marco Rubio
        Pam Keith
        Patrick Murphy
        Rick Scott
        Ron DeSantis
        Republican Freshman class of 2021:
        AL-1: Jerry Carl(R)
        AL-2: Barry Moore(R)
        CA-8: Jay Obernolte(R)
        CA-50: Darrell Issa(R)
        CO-3: Lauren Boebert(R)
        FL-3: Kat Cammack(R)
        FL-15: Scott Franklin(R)
        FL-19: Byron Donalds(R)
        GA-9: Andrew Clyde(R)
        GA-14: Marjorie Taylor Greene(R)
        IA-2: Mariannette Miller-Meeks(R)
        IA-4: Randy Feenstra(R)
        IL-15: Mary Miller(R)
        IN-5: Victoria Spartz(R)
        KS-1: Tracey Mann(R)
        KS-2: Jake LaTurner(R)
        LA-5: Luke Letlow(R)
        MI-3: Peter Meijer(R)
        MI-10: Lisa McClain(R)
        MT-0: Matt Rosendale(R)
        NC-11: Madison Cawthorn(R)
        NM-3: Teresa Leger Fernandez(D)
        NY-2: Andrew Garbarino(R)
        NY-22: Claudia Tenney(R)
        OR-2: Cliff Bentz(R)
        PR-0: Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon(R)
        TN-1: Diana Harshbarger(R)
        TX-4: Pat Fallon(R)
        TX-11: August Pfluger(R)
        TX-13: Ronny Jackson(R)
        TX-17: Pete Sessions(R)
        TX-22: Troy Nehls(R)
        TX-23: Tony Gonzales(R)
        TX-24: Beth Van Duyne(R)
        UT-1: Blake Moore(R)
        VA-5: Bob Good(R)
        WI-5: Scott Fitzgerald(R)
        Incoming Democratic Freshman class of 2021:
        CA-53: Sara Jacobs(D)
        GA-5: Nikema Williams(D)
        GA-7: Carolyn Bourdeaux(D)
        HI-2: Kai Kahele(D)
        IL-3: Marie Newman(D)
        IN-1: Frank Mrvan(D)
        MA-4: Jake Auchincloss(D)
        MO-1: Cori Bush(D)
        NC-2: Deborah Ross(D)
        NC-6: Kathy Manning(D)
        NY-15: Ritchie Torres(D)
        NY-16: Jamaal Bowman(D)
        NY-17: Mondaire Jones(D)
        WA-10: Marilyn Strickland(D)

        Republican takeovers as of 2021:
        CA-21: David Valadao(R) defeated T.J. Cox(D)
        CA-39: Young Kim(R) defeated Gil Cisneros(D)
        CA-48: Michelle Steel(R) defeated Harley Rouda(D)
        FL-26: Carlos Gimenez(R) defeated Debbie Mucarsel-Powell(D)
        FL-27: Maria Elvira Salazar(R) defeated Donna Shalala(D)
        IA-1: Ashley Hinson(R) defeated Abby Finkenauer(D)
        MN-7: Michelle Fischbach(R) defeated Collin Peterson(D)
        NM-2: Yvette Herrell(R) defeated Xochitl Small(D)
        NY-11: Nicole Malliotakis(R) defeated Max Rose(D)
        OK-5: Stephanie Bice(R) defeated Kendra Horn(D)
        SC-1: Nancy Mace(R) defeated Joe Cunningham(D)
        UT-4: Burgess Owens(R) defeated Ben McAdams(D)

        Special Elections 2021-2022:
        CA-22: replacing Devin Nunes (R, SPEL summer 2022)
        FL-20: replacing Alcee Hastings (D, SPEL Jan. 2022)
        LA-2: Troy Carter (R, April 2021)
        LA-5: Julia Letlow (R, March 2021)
        NM-1: Melanie Stansbury (D, June 2021)
        OH-11: Shontel Brown (D, Nov. 2021)
        OH-15: Mike Carey (R, Nov. 2021)
        TX-6: Jake Ellzey (R, July 2021)
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        Page last updated: Feb 16, 2022