Issue Position: Crime and Law Enforcement

Issue Position

After working most of his professional career in Texas law enforcement, Senator John Cornyn knows first-hand the dedication of the men and women who protect our fellow Texans. While serving as Attorney General of Texas, the state's chief law enforcement officer, Senator Cornyn created and backed numerous initiatives to strengthen law enforcement, including the groundbreaking Texas Exile program, which increased the penalties for criminal guns use by convicted felons.

John Cornyn has taken his Texas experience to the United States Senate, advocating issues that bolster law enforcement through his work on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He believes that local, state, and federal authorities must work together as partners to enforce the law, and that they must be given the legal tools and funding resources necessary to do their jobs well. During his time in the Senate, Senator Cornyn has established a strong record on law enforcement issues.
Senator Cornyn continues to work to support law enforcement. He has cosponsored the following legislation:

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011, which enhances efforts to combat and prevent child trafficking.

Public Corruption Prosecution Improvement Act of 2011, which expands prohibitions against bribery, theft of public money, and other public corruption offenses.
Finding Fugitive Sex Offenders Act of 2011, which authorizes the United States Marshals Service to issue administrative subpoenas solely for the investigation of unregistered sex offenders.

Detaining Terrorists to Secure America Act of 2011, which reaffirms that captured enemy combatants affiliated with al Qaeda or the Taliban will be held in custody at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Senator Cornyn's accomplishments include:

Cosponsored the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, which gave the Department of Justice tools to safely dispose of unused controlled substances. This act was signed into law on October 12, 2010.

Cosponsored the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 to strengthen and expand protections for judges and their families.

Supported passage of the Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, creating a national registration system for sex offenders and offenders against children, and increasing the

Supported passage of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 allowing active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons nationwide.

Supported the State Justice Institute Reauthorization Act of 2004, providing grants to law enforcement for the purchase of bulletproof vests. Since 2003, Texas law enforcement has received $10 million for over 84 thousand vests.

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