OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Concurrent Resolution on the Budget, Fiscal Year 2016 -- Continued

Floor Speech

Date: March 26, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Criminal Justice

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, there is an estimated 5.85 million
citizens who can't vote as a result of criminal convictions and nearly
4.4 million of those have already been released from prison. One out of
every 13 African Americans of voting age have lost their right to vote.

This amendment creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund in order to
consider voter reenfranchisement initiatives. It is not descriptive as
to the type.

Senator Paul has introduced legislation on this subject. I have
introduced legislation on this subject. I would hope this would be
accepted by voice vote. It spells out in the amendment that we would
like the U.S. attorney to inform during plea agreements the impact on
defendants on their rights to vote, and that we would like to have data
concerning the impact on minority populations.

I hope we could move forward with this, and I would be willing to
accept this on a voice vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward