Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today joined 23 Republican colleagues in introducing a broad package, led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), to clarify and strengthen violent crime laws related to homicide, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and other offenses. The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act resolves discrepancies brought about by conflicting court decisions and clarifies congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and their respective penalties.
“I see no more important time to introduce a legislative package that ensures enduring justice for all of the many victims of violent crimes than when violent crime rates are at historically high levels throughout much of America. I am proud to join Sen. Grassley in introducing the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act,” Inhofe said. “We must strengthen our laws so that criminals are deterred and communities throughout Oklahoma and America are safer.”
Many communities across the country continue to experience steadily increasing violent crime. Murder rates increased 30 percent in 2020 and continued climbing in 2021. Particularly in urban areas, carjackings are on the rise, with some cities recording up to 400% spikes. Overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 last year, with fentanyl appearing in a variety of substances, including candy-flavored drugs that are marketed to children. 2021 marked the deadliest year for law enforcement since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act addresses ambiguity and conflicting application of existing law by clarifying congressional intent without establishing sweeping new offense categories. Among other provisions, the bill:
· Clarifies that attempted bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery are punishable under the current bank robbery statute;
· Abolishes an outdated rule that prohibits perpetrators of violent crime from being charged with murder if the victim succumbs to injuries sustained by that violent crime 366 days after the attack;
· Rectifies conflicting circuit court decisions that have resulted in a higher burden to charge offenses – such as assaulting a police officer – than Congress intended;
· Increases the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking and removes a duplicative intent requirement required to charge a carjacking offense;
· Rectifies conflicting circuit court decisions by clarifying that an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence involving physical force meets the legal definition of a crime of violence;
· Outlaws the marketing of candy-flavored drugs to minors; and
· Establishes a new category of violent kidnapping offences, allowing for greater penalties for violent kidnapping.
Along with Inhofe, the bill is cosponsored by Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Read the full summary here.