WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently joined a group of 18 Republican colleagues – led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) – in introducing a broad package to clarify and strengthen violent crime laws related to attacks on law enforcement, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and other offenses. The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act resolves discrepancies brought on by conflicting court decisions and clarifies congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and their respective penalties. Despite an ongoing crime wave, no Democrats have agreed to cosponsor the fixes.

“I have been vocal about the continued rise in violent crime across our country, and the destruction that has been felt in our communities. As the Biden administration continues to nominate soft-on-crime federal judges and champion policies that keep criminals on the streets, my Republican colleagues and I are offering real solutions that help make our communities safer,” Senator Capito said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to support our brave law enforcement officers and bring peace of mind to our communities.”

BACKGROUND:

Communities across the country have experienced steady increases in violent crime. Murder rates increased 30% in 2020 and continued climbing in 2021. Carjackings, particularly in urban areas are on the rise, with some cities recording up to 400% spikes. Overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 last year nationwide, with 1,197 overdose deaths in West Virginia alone, and fentanyl is 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;
  • Rectifies conflicting circuit court decisions that have resulted in a higher burden to charge offenses like assaulting a police officer than Congress intended;
  • Increases the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking and removes a duplicative intent requirement needed 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.

In addition to Senators Capito and Grassley, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Risch (R-Idaho), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.).

Full text of the legislation is available here.

 

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