Date: 2015-06-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to support this resolution and to thank my colleagues for putting forward H. Res. 295. particularly Mr. AL GREEN of Texas and Mr. CLAY and Mr. CLEAVERboth of whom represent the Missouri areaand a number of other Members who have joined in on sponsoring this legislation. I like this because it is a kickstart to what Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker. have been talking about. and what we have talked about. criminal justice reform. As we well know. we in the Judiciary Committee are receiving information. We are listening to Members. we are obviously listening to Members who are committed and dedicated. and we are committed to criminal justice reform. This is the right kind of kickstart to be able to put on minds of individuals that we know that this effort of criminal justice reform requires the communication and cooperation of our law enforcement officers and as well to recognize the vitality and the importance of communities who have argued Black lives matteror they have just argued that lives matter. which they do. Let me. first of all. join Mr. GOODLATTE on acknowledging the tragedy of police shootings. Whether or not it was the heinous shootings in New York on two occasions and probably more or whether or not it was a recent incident in Houston. Texas. when a valiant officer was mowed down by a fleeing felon. or any number of incidents that have caught our men and women in the line of fireand their families have seen their service. their life. and their contributions snuffed out by violencethat is not something that we applaud and we certainly abhor. I believe the language in this resolution gives us the sense of Congress that allows us to recognize all law enforcement agencies and officers. thanking them for their tireless work to protect us and make our communities safer. and recognize the potential for the use of bodyworn cameras by onduty law enforcement officers. to improve community relations. increase transparency. and protect both citizens and police. I will assure you that the Judiciary Committee will thoughtfully look at legislation that fits squarely on the framework of this taking into consideration many concerns and encourages State and local law enforcement agencies to consider the use of bodyworn cameras. including policies and protocols. to handle privacy. storage. and other relevant issues. I am glad those are recognized because we are a country of laws. and we recognize the civil liberties and civil rights of all citizens. As we discuss this legislation. however. I want to emphasize the importance of the timing. It is time for comprehensive policing and criminal justice reform. We are witnessing a sea change unlike many others with support for this great cause spanning the ideological and party divide. We in the Judiciary Committee have spoken about it and are finding common ways to work together. In the area of policing. the problems revealed by several of the more notorious incidents involving the use of lethal force against unarmed citizens have captured the attention of the Nation over the past few months and demonstrates a critical need for a national response. Law enforcement officers individually will indicate training is a key element of this. Any response to these tragic events must go hand in hand with a holistic view of criminal justice reform. It will do us no good to be able to point at one group and not try to help another. so I am very grateful that my State. the State of Texas. has contributed to this dialogue and most recently in grand jury reform. As I have joined with my colleagues to acknowledge and celebrate law enforcement and encourage the move forward on criminal justice reform. I am grateful to again do it today. but we should also look at a vast array of opportunities. Sentencing and prison reform should be on our agenda. One such proposal would give the Federal Bureau of Prisons the discretion to release nonviolent prisoners who served at least half of their sentence. are 45 or more years old. and who have not been disciplined for a violent offense. This would not only alleviate some prison overcrowding. but it would dip into the $75 billion that we are paying for incarceration. Congress should also look at the fact in the Federal system that right now we give 47 days for 54 days of good time. If we did one for one. it would be an opportunity to save millions of dollars. at least $41 million. and 4.000 persons would be able to be lifted who would be able to be rehabilitated. One of the more difficult parts of coming into the criminal justice system is the journey of coming out of it. Where an individual has paid his or her debt. the process of reentering society is paid with tremendous and often insurmountable obstacles. I have drafted legislation that will allow those with a criminal conviction to have a fair chance to compete for jobs with Federal agencies and contractors. This "ban the box" measure delays a potential employers inquiry into the applicants criminal history until later in the hiring process. Employers can still ask. but pushing the inquiry into a later stage in the process where you have seen whether this person is ready and able to have a job. Again. this resolution speaks about our view and affection for our law enforcement and adding more tools. Each of us have had wonderful experiences with those men and women who serve. Mr. Speaker. the time for comprehensive policing and criminal justice reform has arrived. We are witnessing a sea shift unlike any others. with support for this great cause spanning the ideological and party divide. In the area of policing. the problems revealed by several of the more notorious incidents involving the use of lethal force against unarmed citizens has captured the attention of the nation over the past few months and demonstrates the critical need for a national response. And any response to these tragic events must go handinhand with changes to the entirety of our criminal justice system. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee. as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations. and as a Representative from Houston. let me extend my thanks to the Congressman from my home state of Texas for contributing to the discussion of this very important and timely issue. Just as I have joined with him in Houston beforeto acknowledge and celebrate law enforcement and to encourage and move forward criminal justice reformI am grateful to do so again today. The very fact that this measure is on the floor today is a great indicator that Congress is ready for comprehensive criminal justice and policing reform. This is why I am looking at reforms that will address all aspects of our criminal justice system and drafting legislation accordingly. One such proposal would give the Bureau of Prisons discretion to release nonviolent prisoners who have served at least half their sentence. are 45 or more years old. and who have not been disciplined for violent conduct while in prison. This would would not only alleviate some prison overcrowding. it would result in substantial cost savings by removing the expensive medical care for older prisoners. By including a clarification of the federal prisoner good time credit law. the cost savings of this proposal is even more significant. Congress intended for all federal prisoners to be eligible for 54 days of good time credit. not 47 days as currently interpreted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This small changejust one week per yearwill not only reflect our original intent. it will save at least $41 million annually. One of the most difficult parts of coming into the criminal justice system is the journey of coming out of it. For an individual who has paid his or her debt. the process of reentering society is paved with tremendous. and often insurmountable. obstacles. I have drafted legislation that will allow those with a criminal conviction to have a fair chance to compete for jobs with federal agencies and contractors. This "banthebox" measure delays a potential employers inquiry into the applicants criminal history until later in the hiring process. Employers can still askbut pushing the inquiry until a later stage in the process allows applicants to get a foot in the door and be considered at the early stage on their merits alone. Many studies. including one released by the Journal of Adolescent Health. demonstrate that the adolescent brain continues to develop as young persons mature well into their 20s. Yet. we begin holding our young offenders accountable as adults when they reach the age of 18. 16. and sometimes even earlier. And we send them off to what many describe as "criminal college." This is why I am developing legislation that will provide judges with new and different options when a young offender comes before them. These options will give judges discretion to tailor a punishment to that young offenders needs. And. when sending a young offender to prison is necessary. my legislation will ensure that the Bureau of Prisons separates these young offenders out from the rest of the prison population and provides specialized programs for their needs. This will put young offenders on a path for change. not one of crime. It is not enough to improve the system of criminal justice. we must also address the unnecessary loss of life that can result from police and civilian interactions. Reform must take a step towards increasing trust between our communities and law enforcement. This is why I am developing legislation that will provide law enforcement agencies with the funding and assistance to put in place the policies. protocols. and training programs in accord with national accreditation standards. But rebuilding the trust in this relationship also requires greater transparency when government responds to incidents involving the use of lethal force against unarmed citizens. This is why I have drafted legislation that provides incentives and support for jurisdictions to bring in an independent investigation and prosecution team for an unbiased review of such incidents. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time on this debate.