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. ### 95-270