THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407290531
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WILLIAM J. EATON AND ROBERT, JACKSON LOS ANGELES TIMES
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Senate and House negotiators ended a political impasse and approved a massive $33.3 billion crime bill Thursday that would put 100,000 more police on the street, ban combat-style assault weapons, build more prisons and require life terms for three-time violent offenders.
The long-delayed measure, immediately hailed by President Clinton as the ``toughest, largest and smartest federal attack on crime'' in U.S. history, was sent to the House and the Senate for up-or-down votes, which are expected next week.
While Democratic leaders predicted the bill would be approved in both chambers, Republicans denounced it as a ``big-spending boondoggle'' that was too soft on criminals. In addition, many Democrats in the Congressional Black Caucus were unhappy over the failure to include a controversial ``racial justice'' provision aimed at halting bias in imposing the death penalty. Other Democrats opposed the new weapons ban.
Despite misgivings, most Democrats and some Republicans appear eager to pass anti-crime legislation in this election year, and the president is anxious to sign it.
Advocates said the 1,100-page measure strikes the right balance between punishment and prevention, including strong provisions to deal with violence against women and $1 billion to add 1,000 agents and bolster border control of illegal immigration. It also includes dozens of new federal death penalties and stiffer sentencing provisions.
Seeking to avoid a Senate filibuster, the conferees dropped the House-passed Racial Justice Act that would have allowed challenges to death sentences on the basis of statistical evidence indicating racial bias in the criminal justice process. ILLUSTRATION: AP color graphic
HIGHLIGHTS
New Funds
New policies
What's next
For copy of graphic, see microfilm
Hampton Roads' Share
Several local police departments have said they expect 20 to 25
new officers each as a result of the crime bill. The White House has
indicated that cities with strong community policing programs will
be favored when funds are allocated, and Virginia Beach, Norfolk and
other area cities have such programs.
KEYWORDS: CRIME BILL U.S. CONGRESS
by CNB