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Jerry McNerney on Crime

Democrat

 


Eliminate the death penalty

Source: 2006 Congressional National Political Awareness Test , Nov 7, 2006

Provide inmates with job skills & alcohol treatment

Source: 2006 Congressional National Political Awareness Test , Nov 7, 2006

Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes.

Congressional Summary:Adopts the definition of "hate crime" as set forth in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994: a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person. Provides technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of hate crimes, including financial grant awards.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. JOHN CONYERS (D, MI-14):This bill expands existing Federal hate crimes law to groups who are well-known targets for bias-based violence--they are sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. These crimes of violence are directed not just at those who are directly attacked; they are targeting the entire group with the threat of violence.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. LAMAR SMITH (R, TX-21): Every year thousands of violent crimes are committed out of hate, but just as many violent crimes, if not more, are motivated by something other than hate--greed, jealousy, desperation or revenge, just to name a few. An individual's motivation for committing a violent crime is usually complex and often speculative. Every violent crime is deplorable, regardless of its motivation. That's why all violent crimes should be vigorously prosecuted. Unfortunately, this bill undermines one of the most basic principles of our criminal justice system--equal justice for all. Under this bill, justice will no longer be equal. Justice will now depend on the race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other protected status of the victim. It will allow different penalties to be imposed for the same crime. This is the real injustice.

Reference: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act; Bill HR.1913 ; vote number 2009-H223 on Apr 2, 2009

Voted YES on expanding services for offenders' re-entry into society.

H.R.1593: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention or the Second Chance Act (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass). To reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and to improve reentry planning and implementation.

Proponents support voting YES because:

Rep. CONYERS: Some 650,000 men and women are leaving the Federal and State prisons each year. While the vast majority of the prisoners are committed to abiding by the law and becoming productive members of society, they often encounter the same pressures & temptations that they faced before prison. More than two-thirds of them are arrested for new crimes within 3 years of their release. This exacts a terrible cost in financial terms as well as in human terms. The Second Chance Act will help provide these men and women with the training, counseling and other support needed to help them obtain & hold steady jobs; to kick their drug and alcohol habits; rebuild their families; and deal with the many other challenges that they face in their efforts to successfully rejoin society.

Opponents recommend voting NO because:

Rep. GOHMERT: The programs that are sought to be renewed are ones we don't have information on how successful they were. I can tell you from my days as a judge, there was some anecdotal evidence that it looked like faith-based programs did a better job of dramatically reducing recidivism. In addition:

Reference: Second Chance Act; Bill HR1593 ; vote number 2007-1083 on Nov 13, 2007

Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program.

McNerney co-sponsored increasing funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program

COPS Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to make grants for public safety and community policing programs (COPS ON THE BEAT or COPS program). Revises grant purposes to provide for:

  1. the hiring or training of law enforcement officers for intelligence, antiterror, and homeland security duties;
  2. the hiring of school resource officers;
  3. school-based partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and local school systems to combat crime, gangs, drug activities, and other problems facing elementary and secondary schools;
  4. innovative programs to reduce and prevent illegal drug (including methamphetamine) manufacturing, distribution, and use; and
  5. enhanced community policing and crime prevention grants that meet emerging law enforcement needs.
    Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to:
  1. assign community prosecutors to handle cases from specific geographic areas and address counterterrorism problems, specific violent crime problems, and localized violent and other crime problems; and
  2. develop new technologies to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in crime prevention.
Source: COPS Improvements Act (S.368/H.R.1700) 07-S368 on Jan 23, 2007

Harsher sentencing for "pill mill" operators.

McNerney signed Pill Mill Crackdown Act

    The Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011: Amends the Controlled Substances Act to:
  1. double the term of imprisonment and triple the fine for the prohibited distribution of a schedule II or schedule III controlled substance by the operator of a pill mill,
  2. increase the penalties for such operator distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 21 from twice to thrice the maximum punishment or term of supervised release authorized, and
  3. exclude such operator distribution from the applicability of provisions authorizing an alternative fine of not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived by a defendant from a drug offense.
      Expresses the sense of Congress that such prohibited operator distribution is a violation for which certain property is subject to forfeiture.
      • Requires the proceeds from disposition of such property to be used for controlled substance monitoring programs in the states and for block grants to states for community mental health services and for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
      • Changes the classification of specified quantities of dihydrocodeinone from a schedule III to a schedule II controlled substance.
      Source: H.R.1065 11-HR1065 on Mar 14, 2011

      First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.

      McNerney 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 92% by the NAPO, indicating a tough-on-crime stance.

      McNerney scores 92% 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

      Sponsored stricter rules for police accountability.

      McNerney co-sponsored George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

      This bill addresses policing practices and law enforcement accountability:

      • lowers the criminal intent standard--from willful to knowing or reckless--to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution,
      • limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and
      • grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations.

      Rep. Elise Stefanik in OPPOSITION (3/1/21): I voted against H.R. 1280--this bill poses a grave danger to law-abiding police officers, as it would eliminate qualified immunity protections, lower the standard for federal civil rights lawsuits, and limit access to necessary equipment during emergencies and natural disasters. Democrats rushed this bill to the House Floor without accepting any input from Republicans, expert testimony, or significant data. I am proud to sponsor the JUSTICE Act with Senator Tim Scott, to provide necessary reforms to end police brutality while protecting our law-abiding officers.

      OnTheIssues explanation of "qualified immunity": "Qualified immunity" means that police officers (and other government officials) cannot be sued for actions on duty, unless knowingly taking unreasonable actions. This bill would limit "qualified immunity," which means the family in cases like George Floyd's could sue the police for civil damages.

      Biden Administration in SUPPORT (3/1/21): We must begin by rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the people they are entrusted to serve and protect. We cannot rebuild that trust if we do not hold police officers accountable for abuses of power and tackle systemic misconduct--and systemic racism--in police departments.

      Legislative Outcome: Passed House 220-212-0 on March 3, 2021, rollcall #60; received in Senate on March 9; no further Senate action during 2021.

      Source: H.R.1280 21-HR1280 on Feb 24, 2021

      2021-22 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Crime: Jerry McNerney on other issues:
      CA Gubernatorial:
      Antonio Villaraigosa
      Brian Dahle
      Caitlyn Jenner
      Carly Fiorina
      David Hadley
      Delaine Eastin
      Doug Ose
      Eric Garcetti
      Eric Swalwell
      Gavin Newsom
      Hilda Solis
      Jerry Brown
      Jerry Sanders
      John Chiang
      John Cox
      Kamala Harris
      Kevin Faulconer
      Kevin Paffrath
      Larry Elder
      Laura Smith
      Neel Kashkari
      Rob Bonta
      Travis Allen
      Xavier Becerra
      CA Senatorial:
      Dianne Feinstein
      Duf Sundheim
      Greg Brannon
      Kamala Harris
      Kevin de Leon
      Loretta Sanchez
      Michael Eisen
      Rocky Chavez
      Tom Del Beccaro
      Open Seats / Turnovers 2022:
      AL-5: Mo Brooks (R) running for AL Senator
      CA-37: Karen Bass (D) running for mayor of Los Angeles
      FL-10: Val Demings (D) running for FL Senator
      FL-13: Charlie Crist (D) running for FL governor
      HI-2: Kai Kahele (D) running for MD governor
      MD-4: Anthony G. Brown (D) running for attorney general of Maryland
      MO-4: Vicky Hartzler (R) running for MO Senator
      MO-7: Billy Long (R) running for MO Senator
      NY-1: Lee Zeldin (R) running for NY governor
      NY-3: Thomas Suozzi (D) running for NY governor
      NC-8: Ted Budd (R) running for NC Senator
      NC-11: Madison Cawthorn (R) Incumbent lost renomination
      OH-13: Tim Ryan (D) running for OH Senator
      OK-2: Markwayne Mullin (R) running for OK Senator
      OR-5: Kurt Schrader (D) Incumbent lost renomination
      PA-17: Conor Lamb (D) running for PA Senator
      SC-7: Tom Rice (R) Incumbent lost renomination
      TX-1: Louie Gohmert (R) running for attorney general of Texas
      VT-0: Peter Welch (D) running for VT Senator

      Special Elections 2021:
      LA-2: Troy Carter (R, April 2021)
      LA-5: Julia Letlow (R, March 2021)
      NM-1: Melanie Stansbury (D, June 2021)
      OH-11: Shontel Brown (D, Nov. 2021)
      OH-15: Mike Carey (R, Nov. 2021)
      TX-6: Jake Ellzey (R, July 2021)
      Hot Races 2022:
      CA-27: Christy Smith (D) vs. Mike Garcia (R)
      FL 27: Annette Taddeo (D) vs. Maria Elvira Salazar (R)
      GA-7: Carolyn Bourdeaux (D) lost redistricting race to Lucy McBath (D)
      GA-10: Vernon Jones(R) vs. Paul Broun (R,lost May 24 primary) to replace Jody Hice (R) running for Secretary of GA
      ME-2: Bruce Poliquin (R) rematch against Jared Golden (D)
      MI-10: John James (R) - running for newly redistricted seat
      MI-11: Andy Levin (D) redistricted to face Haley Stevens (D)
      MT 1: Ryan Zinke (R) - running for newly created seat
      MT-2: Al Olszewski(R) vs. Sam Rankin(Libertarian) vs. Matt Rosendale(R)
      NJ-7: Thomas Kean Jr. (R) challenging Tom Malinowski (R)
      NY-10: Bill de Blasio (D) challenging Mondaire Jones (D)
      NY-11: Max Rose (D) challenging Nicole Malliotakis (R)
      NY 12: Carolyn Maloney (D) redistricted to face Jerry Nadler (D)
      RI-2: Seth Magaziner (D) vs. Allan Fung (R)
      RI-1: Allen Waters (R) vs. David Cicilline (D)
      TX-34: Mayra Flores (R) - Elected SPEL June 2022; general election Nov. 2022 against Vicente Gonzalez (D)
      WA-4: Brad Klippert (R) challenging Dan Newhouse (R)
      WV-2: David McKinley lost a redistricting race to fellow incumbent Alex Mooney

      Special Elections 2022:
      AK-0: Sarah Palin (R) vs. Al Gross (Independent)
      CA-22: Connie Conway (R) replaced Devin Nunes on June 7.
      FL-20: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) replaced Alcee Hastings on Jan. 11.
      MN-1: vacancy left by Jim Hagedorn (R), deceased Feb. 17; SPEL on August 9.
      NE-1: Jeffrey Fortenberry (R) Resigned on March 31, after being convicted; Mike Flood (R) in SPEL on June 28.
      NY-19: Marc Molinaro (R) running for SPEL Aug. 23 for seat vacated by Antonio Delgado (D), now Lt.Gov.
      TX-34: Mayra Flores (R) SPEL June 14 for seat vacated by Filemon Vela Jr. (D)
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      Page last updated: Oct 02, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org