Keep violent predators behind bars, not nonviolent offenders
Lee gave credit to and highlighted a number of conservative reforms that offer an alternative to failed liberal statism:
"Sen. Rand Paul and I are working with some of the most liberal Democrats in Congress to reform the federal criminal-justice
system--to help keep violent predators behind bars while creating opportunities for reformed, nonviolent offenders to return to the families and neighborhoods that so desperately need them."
"Senator John Cornyn has legislation that would empower
states to improve K-12 education across the country. Senator Tim Scott has reforms to improve our job-training programs. And I've introduced a bill to modernize higher education, making it more accessible and affordable for lower-income and
non-traditional students."
"Congressman Tom Graves has a transportation-reform bill to ensure our infrastructure dollars are invested in roads and bridges, and not wasted on bureaucrats and special interests."
Source: Washington Post: 2014 State of the Union Tea Party response
, Jan 29, 2014
My old-fashioned Judeo-Christian tenet: stealing is wrong
Essential infrastructure aside, government action should normally be limited to the protection of life, liberty, and property. Consider laws against theft. Let's say I stole something from my friend Fred. Because of anti-theft laws, I would expect to:Get arrested. (While a charitable soul, Fred is a firm believer in the rule of law and would immediately call the police.)
Be prosecuted, convicted, and punished with a severe fine and/or prison sentence.
These consequences would dissuade me
from stealing from Fred. Anti-theft laws can therefore be said to restrict my liberty, but I don't mind because, at least for me, foregoing theft is like foregoing the right to eat dirt; it is far from a sacrifice. I firmly believe in that old-fashioned,
Judeo-Christian tenet that stealing is wrong and is rightfully condemned by an all-knowing God. Although anti-theft laws impinge on my liberty, I actually benefit from them because they protect MY property.
Lee signed death penalty for killing police officers
Congressional Summary: Makes the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations [when] the defendant killed or attempted to kill a person who is authorized by law:
to engage in or supervise the prevention, detention, investigation, or prosecution, or the incarceration of any person for any criminal violation of law;
to apprehend, arrest, or prosecute an individual for any criminal violation of law; or
to be a firefighter or other first responder.
And that the person was killed--
while he or she was engaged in the performance of his or her official duties;
because of the performance of his or her official duties; or
because of his or her status as a public official or employee.
Opposing argument: [Sen. Bernie Sanders, Oct. 13, 2015]: "Black lives matter. The African American community knows that on any given day some
innocent person like Sandra Bland can get into a car, and three days later she's dead in jail. We need to combat institutional racism from top to bottom, and we need major reforms in a broken criminal justice system. I intend to make sure people have education and jobs rather than jail cells."
Opposing argument: [ACLU of Louisiana, July 7, 2015]: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that makes targeting a police officer a hate crime. Passage of such bills is a top priority for a national organization called Blue Lives Matter, which was formed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. [A video captured] "police killing a black man who was minding his own business," says the director of ACLU-LA. But it was the civil rights of police officers that Edwards was concerned about, as if theirs were being routinely violated: "I'm not aware of any evidence that police officers have been victimized that would justify giving them special protection."
Source: Thin Blue Line Act 16-S2034 on Feb 9, 2015
First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.
Lee voted YEA First Step Act
Congressional Summary:
TITLE I--RECIDIVISM REDUCTION: establish a risk and needs assessment system to evaluate the recidivism risk of prisoners; to guide housing assignments; and to reward participation in recidivism reduction programs.
TITLE II--BUREAU OF PRISONS SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE: allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison.
TITLE III--RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT PRISONERS PROHIBITED: limits the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery.
TITLE IV--SENTENCING REFORM: reduces the enhanced mandatory minimum prison terms for certain repeat drug offenses.
Opposing press release from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1):: The reform sentencing laws in this bill may compromise the safety of our communities. Criminals convicted of violent crimes would have the opportunity to
achieve 'low risk' status and become eligible for early release. California already has similar laws in place--Propositions 47 and 57--which have hamstrung law enforcement and caused a significant uptick in crime.
Supporting press release from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10):: S. 756 establishes a new system to reduce the risk that [federal prisoners] will commit crimes once they are released. Critically, S. 756 would not only implement these reforms to our prison system, but it also takes a crucial first step toward addressing grave concerns about our sentencing laws, which have for years fed a national crisis of mass incarceration. The bill is a 'first step' that demonstrates that we can work together to make the system fairer in ways that will also reduce crime and victimization.
Legislative outcome: Concurrence Passed Senate, 87-12-1, on Dec. 18, 2018; Concurrence Passed House 358-36-28, Dec. 20, 2018; President Trump signed, Dec. 21, 2018
Source: Congressional vote 18-S756 on Dec 20, 2018
Rated 36% by the NAPO, indicating a police-the-police stance.
Lee scores 36% by the NAPO on crime & police issues
Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.
"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation�s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO�s accomplishments:
Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)
VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:
0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.
Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014