FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1995                               (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
       ADMINISTRATION SUBMITS LEGISLATION TO CONGRESS
    TO RETAIN STRONGER PENALTIES FOR CRACK COCAINE OFFENSES 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today submitted 
legislation to Congress that would avert a dramatic reduction in 
penalties for trafficking in crack cocaine.

     The legislation would correct an April 10 recommendation by 
the U.S. Sentencing Commission that would make the penalties for 
crack cocaine offenses equal to those for powder cocaine.  Without 
correction, the recommendation would become law Nov. 1.

     Attorney General Janet Reno said, "Our criminal justice 
system must respond to the harsh and terrible impact of crack on 
communities across America."

     Current sentencing guidelines have been criticized for 
providing the same penalty for larger amounts of powder than for 
crack.  Reno noted that while an adjustment in the current penalty 
structure might be appropriate, any such adjustment must reflect 
the greater harm associated with crack as opposed to cocaine powder. 

      Said Jo Ann Harris, Assistant Attorney General in charge of 
the Criminal Division, "Treating crack and powder cocaine equally 
does not reflect the terrible impact of crack trafficking and our 
responsibility to protect the poorest and most threatened 
communities from narcotics predators.  The Commission itself, in 
a recent report to Congress, identified a number of ways in which 
crack is devastating poor neighborhoods."  Many U.S. Attorneys
have also expressed their opposition to the Commission's decision.

      Harris added, "Sound sentencing policy should reflect the 
different manner in which the drugs are marketed and the real-life 
impact on the affected communities, while insuring that punishment 
does not unfairly impact on any particular group."

     The legislation would also correct the Commission's recent 
decision to significantly reduce sentences in money laundering 
cases -- an important weapon in combatting narcotics violations, 
health care fraud and financial institution fraud.

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95-270