Federal legislation

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2005

Title: A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law.

Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of specified offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Federal criminal code (the code), the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes, including for murder relating to the smuggling of aliens, murder during a hostage-taking, and certain non-homicide-related offenses (espionage and treason). Repeals code procedures relating to imposition of the death sentence.
Prohibits sentencing to death or putting to death any person for any violation of Federal law. Directs that any person sentenced to death before the date of this Act's enactment for any such violation serve a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

H.R. 4923

Sponsor: Rep Dennis Kucinich [OH-10] (introduced 3/9/2006)
Cosponsors: 45
Mass. cosponsors: Capuano, Delahunt, Frank, McGovern, Markey, Olver
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2006 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill Summary & Status

S. 122

Sponsor: Sen Russ Feingold [WI] (introduced 1/24/2005)
Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2005 Referred to committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill Summary & Status

Streamlined Procedures Act of 2005

Title: To establish streamlined procedures for collateral review of mixed petitions, amendments, and defaulted claims, and for other purposes.

Would limit federal habeas corpus appeals by defendants facing the death sentence.

H.R. 3035

Sponsor: Rep Daniel Lungren [CA-3] (introduced 6/22/2005)
Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2005 House committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Bill Summary & Status

S. 1088

Sponsor: Sen Jon Kyl [AZ] (introduced 5/19/2005)
Cosponsors: 4
Mass. cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 11/16/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
Bill Summary & Status

Gang Prevention and Effective Deterrence Act of 2005

Title: To increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to reform and facilitate prosecution of juvenile gang members who commit violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and for other purposes.

Would expand the number of death-eligible offenses to nearly any crime related to transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce or any crime of violence.

H.R. 970

Sponsor: Rep Adam Schiff [CA-29] (introduced 2/17/2005)
Cosponsors: 9
Mass. cosponsors: Neal
Latest Major Action: 4/4/2005 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Bill Summary & Status

S. 155

Sponsor: Sen Dianne Feinstein [CA] (introduced 1/25/2005)
Cosponsors: 7
Mass. cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 1/25/2005 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill Summary & Status