CSDP Blog

A bill sponsored primarily by U.S. Representative for Virginia, Robert "Bobby" Scott, took another small step forward on July 30, 2009, as the Virginian-Pilot reports ("Bill on Cocaine Sentencing Passes House Panel"). After receiving unanimous approval by the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security last week, the "Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009," which "would make no distinction between the two forms" of cocaine - crack and powder - and effectively put to rest the 100:1 sentencing disparity adopted during the so-called "crack epidemic" of the 1980s, successfully passed through the full House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 29, in a 16-9 vote. The "Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act" now passes onto the full House, where it will hopefully gain approval, as well.