The work that has been done by the admiral. And strengthen this with other military partners out there and so we do have dependable relationships and partners out there that we can work with and depend upon to accomplish a broader effort. So i do think it is important. And we have those who share interests. I would ask you, general, we are going to be conducting these operations outside afghanistan, how effective without me. Throughout the region as well, if you would lose all of your forces within the country. I think that that would be very challenging. And certainly there are lots of things that we can look at and i think that it would be challenging to try to address problems in one country from other regions and other countries. And this includes how we best use this in a manner that gives us the most effect. And your thoughts on that as well . If youre talking about afghanistan and how it involves the relationship of pakistan come in the capability and i look forward to the work
To be very ju disdiciously used. Now mr. Conyers. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and i welcome the contributions of the witnesses. I cant emphasize too much how important this task force is in the judiciary committee, and im so glad that this discussion is taking place. Judge saris, the commissions act demonstrates that the 57,000 inmates eligible for the drugs minus 2 amendment are of color, black or hispanic. Would you agree that denying retroactivity would disproportionately impact minorities who have already been prosecuted and sentenced at disproportionate rates . Let me start off by saying we havent made our decision yet. We vote is that okay . We vote next week, actually next friday. Back in d. C. , 1 00, we vote. So we have not yet made a decision on retroactivity. We have held extensive hearings, had innumerable letters from Law Enforcement to the courts, from various stakeholder groups, religious groups. Weve heard from everyone and we will make that decision next week. What i will
Judge heaphy. Mr. Bachus im appearing as a conference witness and i can only speak on issues on which the conference has taken a position and its not taken a position on the mansaray. As you know the commission focuses on penalties and not the elements of the crime so we have not taken a position either. Im sure it wont come as a surprise to mr. Chairman that most of our clients are not facing regulatory misdemeanors. [laughter] im sitting here asking these questions and kind of the elephant in the room is this is maybe a half of 1 of all cases great you are not dealing with 99. 5 here. I read on page seven of your testimony, i saw this last night and im thinking this is kusters last stand almost. But you said the office of federal defenders in the art represents indigent federal defendants in the southern and eastern districts in new york. Those two Federal District cover all of new york city, five counties north of the city of long island. You have 39 lawyers. For those same two dist
Government corruption. And fifth, criminal cases raising highly sensitive local issues. The Conference Also recommends that Congress Review existing federal criminal statutes with the goal of eliminating provisions that no longer serve an essential federal purpose, an idea that i know has been discussed at past hearings of this task force. Another pressing problem related to overcriminalization is the best of your knowled burgeoning problem of overpopulation, especially of crimes carrying a mandatory sentence. Mandatory opinions are wasteful of tax dollars by unnecessarily increasing costs which are burdened by the department of prisons which is within the judiciary. For 60 years, the judicial conference has consistently and vigorously opposed mandatory minimum sentences. Mandatory minimums are incompatible with guideline sentencing, a point on which judge saris makes. On mandatory minimums, judges would not have judging on sentencing. The federal guidelines would remain fully in force
Those testifying this morning include the chair of the u. S. Sentencing commission along with representatives from the Justice Department as well as a federal public defender. It should get under way shortly. Its an early day on the house side of capitol hill with the house gaveling in at this hour. In fact, we expect votes in the house in about an hour and a half or so, 10 30 eastern, as they wrap up their legislative week. Also getting under way at this hour, house energy and commerce with a hearing on health care. Our companion cspan2 is covering that. Judiciary Senate Member jeffrey bacchus, also scott on the right. Theyre looking into the task force of overcriminalization. The hearing should get under way in just a bit. Theyre waiting for the chair of the task force, stinson brenner to arrive. While were waiting, well listen to a man who spent three years in prison on a tax charge. He talks about the sentencing and reform. Well have that until the judiciary hearing gets under way.