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
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.
Back to their country of origin. All that the law is asking is that you go through that due process. At the time, when immigration continues to be a central issue in this country, this flood of children and unaccompanied minors has become the center point of the whole debate. I wish i could separate the two but it is almost impossible right now. The legitimate issue of violence and fear is the Central Point behind that law and it is not outdated, it is probably more pertinent now than it was then. Our guest on newsmakers today on cspan. Next, representatives from the u. S. Sentencing commission the Justice Department, and public defenders call on congress to repeal mandatory minimum sentences. They testified on over criminalization. This is one hour and 25 minutes. The house judiciary committees over Criminalization Task force heard from attorneys and judges friday about potential changes to the federal criminal code. The Bipartisan Task force was formed in 2013 and reauthorized in feb
The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 7, 2014, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour ebate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip imited to five minutes each, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 1 50 p. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Mcgovern, for five minutes. Mr. Mcgovern i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker, being poor in america is hard work. Despite what some of my colleagues and many rightwing pundits may think, it simply isnt easy to be poor in america. Mr. Speaker, week after week i come to the floor to talk about how we can end hunger now. Its a simple concept. We can end hunger if we muster the political will to do so. We have the food and we know how to do it. We j