Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 Essay

Abstract The object of the Federal Death Penalty Act of 2007 (S. 447) is to abolish a wide-range of capitol offenses falling under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This act also commutes the sentences of current and future federal death penalty felons from the death penalty, to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Public opinion within the State of Michigan and throughout the United States is a concern, along with the press exposure and issue coverage. The GOP and Democratic parties must take firm stances with the issue in the bill, while certain special interest groups will be making public claims in the media and through the judicial system. Furthermore, there are electoral concerns within the State of Michigan that cannot be ignored, as re-election is a reality. History This legislation has been introduced within the Senate and/or House since 1999, and has likewise been rejected by either the Senate Judiciary Committee or the House Judiciary Sub-Committee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security each time.1 Originally introduced by Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI] in 1999 and again in 2007, it has carried as many as 46 cosponsors in the House of Representatives while only carrying one in the Senate. Currently, the bill has no cosponsors and has again, been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review, however no major actions have occurred since April, 2007 when introductory remarks were made by Sen. Feingold regarding the issue. (Death Penalty, 2007) Public Opinion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For 158 years, the Michigan voters have been founded in their unwavering belief for the abolition of the death penalty. Through all of those years, the voters have felt as though the prejudicial value outweighed the probative value in accepting the death penalty as a reasonable solution in sentencing standards within the State. Furthermore, the State was the first to abolish the death penalty and Governor John Engler supported the decision   to abolish the death penalty by saying, â€Å"I think Michigan made a wise decision 150 years ago† while going on to say, â€Å"We’re pretty proud of the fact that we don’t have the death penalty.† Therefore, the public’s opinion within the State of Michigan is understood; the abolition of the death penalty is more than palatable to the Michigan voters. (Bonner, 2000). Media   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today’s press coverage, regarding death penalty issues, is not nearly as a focused and thorough as it once was. Media conglomerates are focusing more and more on the concept of infotainment, rather than the happenings within the halls of Congress. As a result, showing support for S. 447 would have little coverage, unless the bill made it through the judiciary committee, House, Senate, and to the President’s desk without issue. However, history shows that Congress is not ready to take such a bold step into that direction. Furthermore, press-releases would have to be leaked to the print and television media in the State in order for voters to notice the issue is even being seriously considered in Washington. Once the media knows that support for the abolition of the death penalty, within the federal judicial system might be a serious topic, then that is when the media coverage will be set into motion. Political Parties   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Historically, GOP candidates have affirmed death penalty support, while democratic candidates have vehemently spoken against the practice. However, it is important to note that Gov. Engler is also a Republican supporter of the death penalty’s abolition, who has a tremendous amount of influence within the State as the party’s leader. It is also important to note that in the past, each time the bill received a cosponsor, a Michigan Senator/Representative was on the list as one. Therefore, with the State’s political support base and the legislation’s historical cosponsor trend it is important to give a sign of support. Interest Groups   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is one of the primary organizations associated with the abolition of the death penalty. Furthermore, this organization has made serious progress in its fight against this form of sentencing within many other States and should therefore, be monitored. Next, Amnesty International is an organization that, like the ACLU, has initiated an anti-death penalty campaign throughout the United States and has also gone abroad to promote its cause. In addition, the Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty has promoted its idea to restore justice and investigate alternatives to death penalty sentencing. Even with the many anti-death penalty organizations, there are even fewer pro-death penalty organizations; with most of which being based in Texas. Elections   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of the need to take a stance on this issue, the concern for re-election is very real. This is a deeply rooted cause in the State of Michigan and therefore, it should not be taken lightly. A firm stance and an outspoken agenda on initiatives to support this the bill’s stance is a viable course of action to take if and when the option of pledging support towards the merits of S. 447 becomes a reality. The only other alternative is to stay silent on the issue and focus on other issues within the agenda that can be addressed and promoted. However, coming out against this legislation is not an option because of the dangers it would pose for re-election purposes. This is because it would appear to be a unilateral decision to ignore the voice and stance of the voters in the State for the purposes of taking on a personal agenda, without thought or care for the constituents of Michigan. Therefore, the only two avenues of approach are full thwarted support, including co-sponsorship of the bill, or silence and the promotion of other legislative issues. References (2007). Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from GovTrack.us Web site: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main &bill=s110-447. Bonner, R (2000). States With No Death Penalty Share Lower Homicide Rates. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from Death Penalty Information Center Web site: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org / article. php . Footnotes 1 Other bills with the same title include the following: S. 1917 (Status: Dead), S. 402 (Status: Dead), S. 191 (Status: Dead), H.R. 2574 (Status: Dead), S. 122 (Status: Dead), H.R. 4923 (Status: Dead).