Pubdate: Tue,  6 Jan 2004
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2004 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/feeney+amendment

HOW BAY AREA REPRESENTATIVES VOTED

The law, known as the Feeney amendment, named after its sponsor, Rep.
Tom Feeney, a Florida Republican, requires judges to give specific,
written reasons when they deviate from federal sentencing guidelines
and for the Justice Department to keep track and report findings to
Congress. It also makes it easier for prosecutors to appeal sentences
they view as too lenient. It also increased penalties for child
pornography -- the reason some legislators cited for passing it.

* Mike Honda, D-Campell; Sam Farr, D-Salinas; and Pete Stark,
D-Fremont voted against the amendment.

* Voting for were Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto; Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo;
Richard Pombo, R-Stockton (whose district includes Morgan Hill) and
Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. (Lofgren has now changed her mind and is
co-sponsoring a bill to repeal it.)

The Senate didn't vote on the amendment; it originated in the House
and was tacked onto a larger bill, dealing with child abductions, that
the Senate passed without dissent.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin