Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s
Retroactivity Vote On Federal Crack Cocaine Sentencing Policy

 

“The U.S. Sentencing Commission took yet another important step in addressing the wide disparity in our federal cocaine sentencing laws.  I applaud their effort.
 

“I abhor the damage done by drug abuse, but I also abhor that the penalties for those in our inner cities are different than for those in affluent society.  For 21 years, far too many African Americans and low-level drug offenders were subject to unfair and overly punitive federal crack cocaine sentencing laws.  With the Commission’s amendment to reduce this disparity, we begin the process of healing wounds which have long shaken the public’s confidence in our federal drug policy.  Applying this fix retroactively is only fair and just.”  

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For Leahy’s Congressional Record statement on the changes to the sentencing policy, click here.