Momentum Builds For Leahy'sDeath Penalty Reform BillAs Key Republicans Sign On

June 07, 2000

WASHINGTON (Wed., June 7) -- Senator Patrick Leahy today relaunched his death penalty reform package with a big bipartisan boost from several Republican senators. Leahy has signed on conservative GOP Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon as his chief Republican cosponsor on the bill. Also joining to support the Leahy-Smith bill today were Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Jim Jeffords of Vermont. The Senate Judiciary Committee – where Leahy is the Democratic Leader of the panel – this week announced hearings on the bill for next Tuesday, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) plans hearings on it later this month.

Leahy's Innocence Protection Act is a comprehensive package that offers a range of solutions – including access to post-conviction DNA testing and the provision of competent legal counsel – to help reduce the risk that innocent persons may be executed. Support for the bill and movement toward congressional action have steadily grown since Leahy first unveiled his reform plan only four months ago, on Feb. 11.